Capella Shanghai Opens in the Jian Ye Li Estate
Shanghai, China; 31 August 2017 – Located within the cultural preservation zone of Xuhui District, Shanghai’s only all-villa urban resort, and one of the last remaining clusters of shikumen architecture dating back to the 1930s, welcomes its first guests today. Spread across 23,000 square meters and an additional 20,000 sqm for underground parking, the compound comprises 55 shikumen villas, 40 luxurious serviced residences, award-winning Auriga spa, a casual chic French dining concept – le Comptoir de Pierre Gagnaire, and The Gallery – a collection of niche and upmarket retail and dining brands.
By preserving the building’s architectural heritage and optimizing the legacy and character of this historic site, the hotel offers discerning guests the authentic experience of Shanghai’s romantic past. Visitors need only set foot within the estate to be transported back in time to an era when Shanghai was the gateway to Asia, a trading town for foreigners and locals alike. In fact, Shanghai was known as the Paris of the East.
Sensitively restored lanes feature distinctive Western and Chinese design elements that define the shikumen architectural style. Chinese matou, or ‘horse head’ gables adorn these three-story brick and stone-accented townhouses while the interiors were conceived by the renowned Jaya Ibrahim. The bespoke interior design is a careful blend of classic Chinese elements and 19th-century French flair: imagine spaces where customized French-accented furniture is placed alongside Chinese-inspired artwork and accessories to portray a cohesive intermingling of East-West elements, yet maintaining the shikumen’s original layout. This thoroughly unique and residential setting will be the welcomed respite for travellers seeking a peek into the past without compromising on the comforts of modern luxury.
Tricycle Transportation
Another immersive experience includes the shuttling of guests from their villas to the courtyard in specially-commissioned tricycles, reminiscent of Shanghai in the 1930s, where trishaws and rickshaws are the most popular form of public transportation.
Villas
The one- to three-bedroom villas, starting from 111 square meters, are furnished with a private courtyard, a parlor for receiving visitors as well as an entertainment room equipped with BOSE sound system and a 55-inch flat screen television. Bedrooms adorned in soothing colors of pale green and dark wood, with a writing desk and walk-in closet. The customized furniture provides an added dimension of luxury, fitted into the original shikumen structure for maximum space and aesthetics. Other features include spacious marble-clad bathrooms with separate bath and standing shower facilities offering premium Acqua di Parma bath amenities, a rooftop terrace and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the urban resort.
The legendary Capella Library is a sanctuary to browse both old and new, Chinese and European, artwork and literature, as well as a space to enjoy board games and chess for a leisurely afternoon. In-house guests can also sit and sip on a cup of coffee or tea with light canapés, catered by le Comptoir de Pierre Gagnaire, throughout the day.
Capella Personal Assistants
The Capella Personal Assistants are on hand to assist guests with tailoring their ideal Shanghai experience, be it gastronomic discovery, shopping expedition or journeys on the road less travelled. Their uniforms incorporate unique Sino-French details, combining traditional Chinese qipao elements with French chiffon skirts or European-style trousers. The Capella Personal Assistants will also serve daily refreshments and beverages of your choice in the Capella Library.
Secret Garden
In the heart of the urban resort sits a tranquil spot of lush greenery with wicker lounge seating and the sound of bubbling water from the fountain. Over 94 meters in length, the Secret Garden is home to over 20 types of flora and fauna. This zen outdoor space is also an immersive concept for the five senses where in-house guests and residents are able to relax and admire the sculptures by Chinese artist, Wu Jing Ju, whose works will be on display until autumn this year.
Events Venue
Offering an approximate area of 200 square meters of meeting spaces, Capella Shanghai provides intimate alternative indoor and outdoor venues for small to medium events and meetings. With coffee breaks and lunch options catered by le Comptoir de Pierre Gagnaire, the venues are supported by the resort’s expert team of organizers.
le Comptoir de Pierre Gagnaire
The newest dining concept by celebrated chef Pierre Gagnaire opened on 15 July 2017, located in The Gallery of Capella Shanghai, along the leafy tree-lined boulevard outside the resort. Offering a casual chic venue for all occasions, the iconic chef’s approach to the menu is one of simplicity, honesty and elegance. Helmed by Mr. Gagnaire’s longtime protégé, Romain Chapel, le Comptoir will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. The extensive wine and bespoke cocktail list is carefully crafted to enhance diners’ culinary journey in a classic Parisian setting reminiscent of Shanghai’s old-world glamor.
Guests can enjoy the highest quality cuisine in Capella Shanghai, whether for in-room dining or catering, le Comptoir de Pierre Gagnaire provides an unparalleled experience in culinary arts.
For more information or restaurant reservations, please email lecomptoir@capellahotels.com or call +86 21 5466 9928.
Venturing just outside the hotel, guests will find themselves ideally positioned in the heart of the Xuhui District, a charming and convenient locale for a meandering stroll through historic streets lined with French plane trees. The streets are alive with the buzz of community living as they were nearly a century ago as the neighbors go about their daily activities of selling fruits and vegetables; cobblers restoring well-loved shoes in addition to modern quaint cafés serving cups of espresso. Home to several heritage-protected houses of historical and Art Deco architecture, the quaint neighborhood is best discovered on foot.
“The opening of Capella Shanghai will transform the hospitality industry in the Shanghainese landscape,” said Mr. Dorian Rommel, General Manager. “We’re deeply honored to be able to pay tribute to Shanghai’s rich heritage by offering our guests the experience of what life was once like here, and to see how history lives on as Shanghai grows into one of the world’s most forward-thinking and cosmopolitan cities.”
Auriga spa, featuring signature treatments in accordance to phases of the moon, and the Capella Residences will open in late autumn 2017.
Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li is located 30 minutes’ drive from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport or 90 minutes from Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
For more information on the hotel, please visit www.capellashanghai.com. For reservations, please email reservations.shanghai@capellahotels.com or call +86 21 3339 1788.
About Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li
Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li estate comprises 55 shikumen villas, 40 serviced townhouses that will open for leasing later in 2017, as well as The Gallery, a collection of restaurants and lifestyle brands. In July, Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li also welcomed the opening of le Comptoir de Pierre Gagnaire, a casual chic dining concept by the celebrated chef, Pierre Gagnaire. In late Autumn, Capella Shanghai looks forward to the opening of the award-winning Auriga Spa, an ultra-luxury destination spa that provides a combination of signature treatments as well as those that draw on the individual and unique strengths of local traditions.