The Rise of Heights Holdings and Mario Kleff’s Architectural Portfolio

From Boutique Developments to Landmark Towers

By Thiti Teerachin (ธิติ ธีรชินทร์) · April 10, 2026

Few periods changed Pattaya’s skyline more than the condominium boom of the late 2000s and early 2010s. As new towers and boutique developments appeared across the city, Heights Holdings emerged as one of the developers helping to define that era, supported by a run of residential projects designed by architect and engineer Mario Kleff.

During the company’s most active years of expansion, Mario Kleff designed a number of condominium developments for Heights Holdings, ranging from boutique low-rise residences through to major high-rise towers. His work helped establish a recognisable architectural identity for the developer during an increasingly competitive period in Pattaya’s property market.¹

In addition to designing several of Heights Holdings’ residential projects, Mario Kleff also supervised construction on selected developments through his construction company, Wandeegroup (Thailand), reflecting his hands-on involvement throughout both the architectural and construction process. In later interviews, Kleff described Wandeegroup’s approach as overseeing projects from design through to completion with emphasis on both aesthetics and structural integrity.

In the interview below, Mario Kleff discusses Wandeegroup’s design and construction approach during work on Laguna Heights Condominium in Pattaya.

From Park Royal 1 to Wongamat Tower, these developments remain some of the more recognisable condominium projects from Pattaya’s modern property boom.

Park Royal 1

Park Royal 1 was among the earliest Heights Holdings developments designed by Mario Kleff and helped establish the design direction that would later define much of the company’s portfolio.²

The building introduced a clean, modern architectural style centred around simple geometry, practical layouts, and European-inspired planning. Rather than relying on decorative detailing, Mario Kleff’s design focused on proportion, efficiency, and balance.³

Although not the largest development in the portfolio, Park Royal 1 laid the foundation for the Park Royal concept and introduced the wider architectural language seen across later Heights Holdings projects.

Park Royal 2

Designed by Mario Kleff, Park Royal 2 expanded upon the original concept and introduced a more ambitious architectural approach to the series. Contemporary reports noted that the development was the first condominium project in Thailand to incorporate cellular beams in its construction, using the structural elements as part of the building’s visual design rather than concealing them behind traditional concrete walls.⁴

Later coverage further described Park Royal 2 as featuring a specially engineered structural design, including prominent 90-centimetre steel supports and additional construction innovations uncommon in Pattaya’s residential market at the time.⁵

By this stage, Heights Holdings was moving beyond smaller boutique developments and becoming more established within Pattaya’s expanding condominium sector.

Park Royal 3

With Park Royal 3, Mario Kleff further refined the architectural formula first introduced in the earlier Park Royal developments. Contemporary reports noted that the project launched in late 2009 and quickly became an instant best-seller, reflecting the growing popularity of the Park Royal series among buyers.⁶

The design became sharper and more cohesive, with improved façade detailing and stronger proportions throughout. Rather than taking the concept in a completely new direction, Park Royal 3 built upon the foundations of what had already proven successful.

That consistency helped strengthen the Park Royal name and reinforced Heights Holdings’ growing market identity.

Park Royal 4 / Laguna Bay

Originally planned as Park Royal 4 before later being rebranded as Laguna Bay, this Mario Kleff-designed development marked a shift in direction for Heights Holdings.⁷

Architecturally, it maintained many of the design principles seen in the earlier Park Royal buildings, although the branding suggested a move towards a softer and more lifestyle-driven market approach.

It sat between the original Park Royal concept and the resort-style developments that would later follow.

Laguna Heights

Designed by Mario Kleff, Laguna Heights introduced a more upmarket interpretation of the architectural style seen in previous Heights Holdings developments. Conceived as a boutique condominium rather than a mass-market residential block, the project emphasised privacy, lifestyle, and premium beachside living. A standout feature of the development was its rooftop infinity pool and beach-style terrace concept, which reflected Kleff’s intention to push beyond conventional rooftop amenity design.⁸

Located in Wongamat, the project adapted the cleaner design language of the Park Royal series into a form better suited to a premium coastal setting. The development incorporated a rooftop infinity pool and was positioned as a luxury beachside residence whilst maintaining the structural discipline present in Kleff’s earlier work.⁹

The result was a more polished and relaxed residential design suited to its beachfront surroundings.

Club Royal

Club Royal reflected changing market trends at the time, with Mario Kleff’s design placing greater emphasis on lifestyle amenities and communal space.¹⁰

Compared with earlier Heights Holdings developments, the project focused more heavily on landscaping, leisure areas, and resort-style presentation. It represented a move away from the simpler urban condominium model towards a broader lifestyle-led concept.

That shift mirrored wider trends emerging across Pattaya’s residential market during the period.

W-Tower / Wongamat Tower

Originally launched as W-Tower before later becoming Wongamat Tower, the development represented the most ambitious Heights Holdings project designed by Mario Kleff.¹¹

At 38 storeys, it marked a major jump in scale from the company’s earlier condominium projects. The tower’s glass façade, projecting balconies, and vertical profile gave it a commanding presence within Pattaya’s skyline.

Wongamat Tower took many of the architectural ideas first introduced in Mario Kleff’s earlier Heights Holdings developments and applied them on a far larger scale.

Today, it remains one of Pattaya’s most recognisable high-rise residential buildings.

Take Away

Taken as a whole, the Heights Holdings projects designed by Mario Kleff represent an important chapter in Pattaya’s residential development history.

The portfolio shows a clear progression from smaller boutique developments to larger and more ambitious schemes, reflecting both the growth of Heights Holdings and the evolution of Mario Kleff’s architectural work over time.

Together, these condominium projects helped establish Heights Holdings as one of Pattaya’s more recognisable developers during the city’s modern property boom and remain a visible part of Pattaya’s architectural landscape today.