Centre of Attention
In a city where luxury and ostentation are words to live by, Swire Hotels’ recent opening, The Middle House in Shanghai ticks all the boxes but in a style that stays true to their brand. This is after all the group responsible for Hong Kong’s hippest hotel, The Upper House whose guests include Gwyneth Paltrow and Katy Perry and Beijing’s The Opposite House – starchitect Kengo Kuma’s sublime discourse on space and form. This fourth offering from Swire’s House Collective is situated in the heart of Shanghai’s historic Dazhongli neighbourhood and in close proximity to fashionable Nanjing Road (West). As with all Swire Hotels models, The Middle House is part of a larger property development owned by Swire Properties, in this case HKRI Taikoo Hui which hosts the vast Starbucks Reserve Roastery.
The striking gun-metal façade of the purpose built semi-circular 14-story tower sets the stage for the deft balance of sophistication and opulence which permeates the property, the work of veteran Italian architect Piero Lissoni who has designed for Cassina, B&B Italia, FLOS, Boffi and a host of design greats. Inspired by Shanghai’s rich heritage of craftsmanship, Lissoni has created a serene retreat from the surrounding location’s city’s bustle which makes an unforgettable impression from the moment one enters the majestic double height lobby lined with hand-made, emerald-green tiles decorated with bamboo stalks and crowned with an intricate 3,760-piece Murano chandelier.
All of the 111 suites, ranging from 50 sqm to 100 sqm, feature floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning views of the city and the penthouse with its private terrace goes to the tune of USD17,000+ (or RM69,564+) a night. Sheathed in an neo-Orientelesque palette of bronze mesh, the suites contain Lissoni’s modern reinterpretations of traditional Chinese furniture as seen in the brush painted headboard and carved sliding wood panels punctuated with pops of rich jewel tones.
Outstandingly curated art is one of the hallmarks of the House Collective, and The Middle House’s poetic “I dream of China” theme is stunningly represented in over 670 pieces of artwork by local and international artists. Savour the exquisite Chinese robe hanging in the lobby – inspired by the Wei Jin Nan Bei dynasty and covered in 12,000 ceramic butterflies created by Caroline Cheng. There’s also the Morandi-esque oil on canvas paintings in the Café Grey Deluxe by Richard Winkworth. Alison Pickett, who is responsible for all the House Collective’s art-centric interiors, takes guests on a journey inspired by the bright lights and romance of Shanghai, Paris of the East; a reflection of this thoroughly modern city that is yet steeped in tradition – a beguiling juxtaposition that give The Middle House its exquisite character.
