New York Glamour x Hong Kong Heritage

Blending architectural creativity, cultural diversity and timeless elegance, award-winning architect, André Fu brings together the grandeur of the Big Apple with treasured memories of the past in his latest project; St. Regis Hong Kong

Glittering on the Hong Kong waterfront in Wan Chai, is Marriott International, Inc’s newest endeavour, St. Regis Hong Kong. Standing 27 storey’s high, the building has a graphic presence, glittering on the water’s edge with its three-dimensional architectural façade and nod to the memories that envelope it, in one of the city’s oldest districts.

Home to traditional pawnshops, the old police station and the Bauhaus-style market, it was certain that the surrounding neighbourhood of Wan Chai would play a big part in the aesthetic of the space. Originally inspired by the St Regis hotel built in New York by John Jacob Astor IV in 1904, Fu aimed to create a cultural landmark while fusing his own childhood recollections of what growing up in Hong Kong was like. “I wanted to go deeper than the stereotypical concept of lanterns, junks and temples and tap into my own memories of the city,” says André Fu.

Walking into the St. Regis Hong Kong, you are greeted by the welcoming memories of traditional Hong Kong, harmoniously combined with the scale and grandeur of a private Manhattan mansion from the turn of the century. Opulent lanterns and sconces are reminiscent of the 19^th Century gas lamps of old Hong Kong, white dramatic, 8-metre, stone clad walls and an oversize marble reception desk offer a majestic aesthetic. An almost 8-metre high waterfall cascading in stone not only introduces another experience for the senses while also creating a calm and welcoming sanctuary from the frantic urbanity of modern Hong Kong that you’ve now left behind.

The second floor of the St. Regis Hong Kong serves as the main public area of the hotel, comprising of the Great Room, Drawing Room, the Terrace and the St. Regis Bar. The drama and glamour of the entrance continues into these spaces with soaring ceilings and expansive windows that flood the Great Room with natural light. A palette of cool greys and sage greens adds luxury to the airy openness while lush topiaries border the space and evoke a sense of oasis – a rare thing in Hong Kong. A large chandelier in the Great Room, designed by Fu and aptly called The Skyline, is a tribute to the city’s impressive skyline and is a bespoke arrangement of his TAC/TILE lighting collection, created by Czech glass specialist, Lasvit.

One of the highlights of the hotel is The St. Regis Bar, which is where this collaboration of New York Cirt and Hong Kong truly comes together. Rich warm tones, tweeds and brass detailing, along with bronze oak panelling and olive leather upholstery create a cosy and welcoming atmosphere. The centrepiece of the room however, is a hand-painted mural by Beijing artist Zhang Gong, which depicts many of Hong Kong’s most famous historic features such as old Wan Chai, the Hong Kong Star Ferry and Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong’s rich vegetation and natural foliage, and colourful street scenes set against old buildings.

With just 129 bedrooms, Fu has prioritised space and comfort of maximum efficiency. Each room boasts the clever interplay between classic and modern, with an intricate juxtaposition of cultural influences that, to Fu, represent Hong Kong. Chalky white, mineral grey taupe adorn the rooms, together with white linens and mauve cashmere throws. In a selection of the suites, Fu has also introduced a wake-up call with vivid orange lacquered doors.

Throughout André Fu’s design of the St. Regis Hong Kong, lighting was used as a way to create warm, inviting and sensual spaces. Unafraid of the mystery of shadows, Fu resists flooding the interiors with light, utilising table lamps with fluted glass shades, sconces with cut glass shades, as well as textured glass cubed wall lights, to achieve a shimmer and glow effect. Silks and damasks of the soft furnishings, and the luminous lacquers, marbles and metals also refract the warm light, yet another dramatic contrast to the bright, jarring lights of Hong Kong’s dazzling city skyline.

By combining architectural creativity, cultural diversity and timeless elegance, André Fu has set a new standard in luxury hospitality with The St. Regis Hong Kong.

For more information, visit STREGIS.