Phnom Penh Railway Station to be Transformed into ‘Royal Train Square’

Cambodia news in English! Here you'll find all the breaking news from Cambodia translated into English for our international readership and expat community to read and comment on. The majority of our news stories are gathered from the local Khmer newspapers, but we also bring you newsworthy media from Cambodia before you read them anywhere else. Because of the huge population of the capital city, most articles are from Phnom Penh, but Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, and Kampot often make the headlines as well. We report on all arrests and deaths of foreigners in Cambodia, and the details often come from the Cambodian police or local Khmer journalists. As an ASEAN news outlet, we also publish regional news and events from our neighboring countries. We also share local Khmer news stories that you won't find in English anywhere else. If you're looking for a certain article, you may use our site's search feature to find it quickly.
User avatar
CEOCambodiaNews
Expatriate
Posts: 62322
Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2014 5:13 am
Reputation: 4033
Location: CEO Newsroom in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Contact:
Cambodia

Phnom Penh Railway Station to be Transformed into ‘Royal Train Square’

Post by CEOCambodiaNews »

June 6, 2019
Phnom Penh Railway station set for renovation

A group of European and US investors will spend $5 million to renovate Phnom Penh’s Royal Railway Station and turn it into a modern entertainment centre and hangout spot.

According to a press release issued yesterday, the Mall Group seeks to turn the railway into ‘Royal Train Square’, a 3,000 square metre retail and commercial space.

The centre will include shops, cafes, restaurants, and banks as well as office and exhibition space.

Scott Bolls, the principle lead on the project, said the railway station is a colonial building of great cultural significance that is rarely visited by locals or foreigners.

He said Royal Train Square will give these people a “new place to meet, dine and relax in beautiful surroundings”, adding that it will feature high-end cafes, restaurants, and shops.

“With the emergence of Phnom Penh’s central business district it is the right time to bring the railway station into the 21st century as a destination for all residents of the capital and visitors to come and unwind in a breathtaking location,” said Mr Bolls.

“It will blend seamlessly with its surroundings, especially the beautiful square in front of the station, and we are confident it will become one of the city’s favorite places to meet and enjoy fine dining, shopping, and unique events and exhibition space unlike anything the city has seen before.”

The renovation project will start in upcoming months, he added.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50611372/r ... enovation/
Join the Cambodia Expats Online Telegram Channel: https://t.me/CambodiaExpatsOnline

Cambodia Expats Online: Bringing you breaking news from Cambodia before you read it anywhere else!

Have a story or an anonymous news tip for CEO? Need advertising? CONTACT US

Cambodia Expats Online is the most popular community in the country. JOIN TODAY

Follow CEO on social media:

Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
User avatar
SternAAlbifrons
Expatriate
Posts: 5752
Joined: Sat Mar 23, 2019 11:31 am
Reputation: 3424
Location: Gilligan's Island
Pitcairn Island

Re: Phnom Penh Railway Station to be Transformed into ‘Royal Train Square’

Post by SternAAlbifrons »

In 1960, in an out-of-the-way corner of the Phnom Penh railway yard... Pol Pot, Nuon Chea and 19 others met secretly and created Cambodia's own Communist party, the Khmer Workers Party.
In addition to the first party congress, many of the secretive planning meetings of what would evolve into the "khmer rouge" were held here.

That's the vibe that i always pick up when i pass those railway yards.
Cambo Dear
Expatriate
Posts: 261
Joined: Sat Jun 27, 2015 7:30 pm
Reputation: 162
Libya

Re: Phnom Penh Railway Station to be Transformed into ‘Royal Train Square’

Post by Cambo Dear »

If they upgraded it like Victoria/Paddington/St Pancreas in London then I think it would be a great idea, but the big difference is that they have tens of trains a minute running through them, with the footfall to match. That makes renovating Victorian-era buildings makes financial sense. Hanging out in a train station that has a few trains a week sounds a bit weird, even if it is in a nice building in a nice part of town. Why not spend that 5 mil on upgrading the tracks or trains and selling more tickets??
logos
Expatriate
Posts: 607
Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 4:43 pm
Reputation: 148
Location: PP
Kiribati

Re: Phnom Penh Railway Station to be Transformed into ‘Royal Train Square’

Post by logos »

Cambo Dear wrote: Fri Jun 07, 2019 3:14 am If they upgraded it like Victoria/Paddington/St Pancreas in London then I think it would be a great idea, but the big difference is that they have tens of trains a minute running through them, with the footfall to match. That makes renovating Victorian-era buildings makes financial sense. Hanging out in a train station that has a few trains a week sounds a bit weird, even if it is in a nice building in a nice part of town. Why not spend that 5 mil on upgrading the tracks or trains and selling more tickets??
You'll need a lot more than 5 mil to upgrade the railways.
User avatar
Bitte_Kein_Lexus
Expatriate
Posts: 4421
Joined: Sun May 18, 2014 7:32 pm
Reputation: 1325

Re: Phnom Penh Railway Station to be Transformed into ‘Royal Train Square’

Post by Bitte_Kein_Lexus »

How will they get those 3000sqm without severely compromising what they say is a cultural heritage site? Maybe more people would go if they actually had a less than mediocre train service...
Ex Bitteeinbit/LexusSchmexus
User avatar
Spigzy
Expatriate
Posts: 1925
Joined: Fri Oct 12, 2018 9:50 am
Reputation: 1694
Great Britain

Re: Phnom Penh Railway Station to be Transformed into ‘Royal Train Square’

Post by Spigzy »

It's a great idea... there's tons of space for parking at least 10 cars out front and bringing that whole area, already a rush hour gridlock zone, to a complete standstill as the "parking guy" tries to fit in one more driver who can't reverse for toffee. #Pandemonium
Meum est propositum in taberna mori,
ut sint Guinness proxima morientis ori.
tunc cantabunt letius angelorum chori:
"Sit Deus propitius huic potatori."
Cambo Dear
Expatriate
Posts: 261
Joined: Sat Jun 27, 2015 7:30 pm
Reputation: 162
Libya

Re: Phnom Penh Railway Station to be Transformed into ‘Royal Train Square’

Post by Cambo Dear »

logos wrote: Fri Jun 07, 2019 6:29 am
Cambo Dear wrote: Fri Jun 07, 2019 3:14 am If they upgraded it like Victoria/Paddington/St Pancreas in London then I think it would be a great idea, but the big difference is that they have tens of trains a minute running through them, with the footfall to match. That makes renovating Victorian-era buildings makes financial sense. Hanging out in a train station that has a few trains a week sounds a bit weird, even if it is in a nice building in a nice part of town. Why not spend that 5 mil on upgrading the tracks or trains and selling more tickets??
You'll need a lot more than 5 mil to upgrade the railways.
Yeah, I didn't think 5 mil was going to be enough to upgrade to a bullet train. I guess I was trying to say that it's a bit like putting the cart before the horse. Spend money upgrading the tracks, have a busy station, build bars and restaurants. That way, you wouldn't be in the absurd situation of considering car parking at a Capital's only train station. As often is the case in Cambodia, a bit back to front.
User avatar
timmydownawell
Expatriate
Posts: 3626
Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2016 12:50 pm
Reputation: 1454
Cambodia

Re: Phnom Penh Railway Station to be Transformed into ‘Royal Train Square’

Post by timmydownawell »

Bitte_Kein_Lexus wrote: Fri Jun 07, 2019 12:23 pm How will they get those 3000sqm without severely compromising what they say is a cultural heritage site?
That is what I was wondering. They could, perhaps, extend at the back where the present rail platforms are, and push the platforms (and maybe even the whole "train station" part of the station) further back? Because if they slot a second floor into the existing place it will ruin Phnom Penh's second best Art Deco building, but I don't think they would do that.
You must walk in traffic to cross the road - Cambodian proverb
User avatar
John Bingham
Expatriate
Posts: 13679
Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2014 11:26 pm
Reputation: 8894
Cambodia

Re: Phnom Penh Railway Station to be Transformed into ‘Royal Train Square’

Post by John Bingham »

There is loads of empty space around the station.
Image
Silence, exile, and cunning.
rogerrabbit
Expatriate
Posts: 925
Joined: Sat May 14, 2016 1:17 am
Reputation: 341

Re: Phnom Penh Railway Station to be Transformed into ‘Royal Train Square’

Post by rogerrabbit »

Bitte_Kein_Lexus wrote: Fri Jun 07, 2019 12:23 pm How will they get those 3000sqm without severely compromising what they say is a cultural heritage site? Maybe more people would go if they actually had a less than mediocre train service...
Maybe like they have done at Copenhagen train station:
Image

3000sqm is rather small area really. Few "booths" in the middle, then to both ends couple floors of commercial space and there you have it.
Post Reply Previous topicNext topic
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Alex, ali baba, Clutch Cargo, Cooldude, Deefer, IraHayes, Kayve, siliconlife and 1284 guests