The opening of the Peninsula Shanghai was significant as it marked the return of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited to Shanghai after an absence of more than 50 years. Several years were spent looking for the right site; the location at the top of the Bund was that, but required years of negotiation with authorities to reconfigure their master plan to create a practically developable site.

Given that the site is bounded on all sides by historic properties, (and the Bund itself a World Heritage site) sensitive discussions were also necessary to define a building envelope agreeable to both the owners and the local authorities. Even the external facade, materials, colour, and details were negotiated, to meet the expectations of all parties to create the modern expression of the Art Deco style compatible with the early 20c neighbors.

The program developed within the maximum allowable GFA included:

• ideal-sized hotel for the market
• significant luxury retail space, consistent with Peninsula’s properties in Asia
• boutique residential block with units for sale, Peninsula’s first branded residences

An international design team of consultants was assembled. A detailed Design Brief was issued to all disciplines of architecture, interior design, landscape, lighting and graphics. The Peninsula Standard room module of 55 SqM was employed as a minimum throughout the room inventory. The execution of high-quality materials and details, supervised by intensive Project Management and QC teams, created what is often recognized as the finest luxury urban hotel in China.