Bangkok’s historic Custom House reborn as The Langham’s newest luxury hotel
The 1888 riverside landmark has been lifted, restored and reimagined as a 75-room hotel, with its heritage buildings reserved for restaurants, bars and public spaces.
The historic Custom House in Bangkok is set to be transformed into The Langham's newest luxury hotel, marking a significant rebirth for the 1888 riverside landmark. The 75-room hotel will house 60 rooms and 15 suites, alongside a spa, restaurants featuring top Bangkok chefs, and a riverside bar with its own pier. The restoration process, which began in 2023, involved lifting the building by 412 individual jacks to create new foundations and raise it two to five millimeters at a time over 18 months.
Architect Joachim Grassi originally designed the Custom House during King Rama V's reign, and its purpose shifted over time from being a gateway to Siam to a fire station and finally being abandoned for about a decade. The restoration process aimed to preserve as much of the original structure as possible, with surviving original elements strengthened where necessary.
One of the most intriguing discoveries during excavation was the remnants of a mechanical clock, which originated from Milan, along with artifacts unearthed during the project. The hotel's social heart will consist of the three heritage buildings, while a newly constructed wing will house the 60 rooms and 15 suites. This approach ensures the historic buildings maintain their prominence by remaining separate from the accommodation wing.
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