BKK1 Data Dashboard (Q4 2025)
From Lake to High-Rise: The Evolution of BKK1
From Wetlands to Grids
French colonial planners begin filling the marshy ‘Boeung Keng Kang’ lake, laying out a rational grid system for a new, elite residential quarter.
New Khmer Architecture
BKK1 becomes the capital’s most fashionable enclave, defined by stunning modernist villas (many in the New Khmer Architecture style) for Cambodia’s elite and government officials.
The Khmer Rouge Rupture
Phnom Penh is forcibly evacuated in April 1975. BKK1 is transformed overnight into a silent ghost town, its elegant villas and gardens falling into disrepair and ruin.
The Foreign Quarter Returns
The arrival of the UN Transitional Authority (UNTAC) and a flood of international NGOs revitalizes the district, re-establishing it as the “foreign quarter” and hub for the global community.
The Modern Skyline
Skyrocketing land values lead to a high-rise boom. Luxury condominiums and office towers replace older villas, solidifying BKK1’s status as the economic and cultural epicenter of modern Phnom Penh.
BKK1 vs. Toul Tom Poung (Russian Market)
BKK1 (Boeung Keng Kang 1)
- β¨Polished, international vibe
- πMature market, stable high yields
- π¨βπ©βπ§Best for families & corporate expats
Toul Tom Poung (Russian Market)
- π¨Bohemian, authentic local feel
- πHigh potential for capital appreciation
- π©βπ»Best for young professionals & investors
