The St. Regis Hong Kong is housed within a glittering 27-storey tower on Wan Chai’s waterfront. One of Hong Kong’s oldest districts, Wan Chai is home to traditional pawnshops, the old police station, and a Bauhaus-style market that André Fu artfully incorporated into his design.
The driving concept behind Fu’s design was to take guests on an immersive and layered visual journey, interweaving narratives of personal memory and the city’s heritage to create a rich, evocative experience.
Elements from iconic local landmarks are referenced throughout the hotel – including old gas street lamps from Duddell’s Street, colonial columns from the old Wan Chai police station, and panelling, inspired by the colonial Hong Kong mansions. Yet Fu’s inspiration ran deeper than simply referencing local architecture, chanelling his own childhood recollections of growing up in Hong Kong.
“I wanted to go deeper than the stereotypical concept of lanterns, junks and temples and tap into my own memories of the city,” he explains.
At 580 square metres, the property’s porte cochere sets the scene for a dramatic arrival experience, with 8m stone clad walls harmonising with the marble reception desk. Once inside, the soothing burble of an 8m high waterfall treats the ears. Opulent lanterns, and sconce – inspired by the 19th century gas lamps of old Hong Kong – create a soft and sensual glow.
“I wanted to go deeper than the stereotypical concept of lanterns, junks and temples and tap into my own memories of the city”
Oversized bronze panelled doors by Solomon and Wu lead to the vestibule, paying homage, through abstract silhouettes, to the skyscraper city of Hong Kong. Upon entering the vestibule, guests discover two connected spaces, an antechamber with elevators, and a small salon where the concierge is located.
Fu’s dramatic design stretches the vertical heights of the vestibule, with bronze screens referencing the old window frames typical of colonial Hong Kong and mouldings engraved in the marble either side of the elevators chanelling the classic New York vernacular of the first St. Regis.
From the street level lobby, guests can ascend to the second level into a corridor bordered by classic wooden panelling. A jade green vestibule frames an over-scaled authentic Chinese snuff bottle on display by Chinese artist Cao Yuan Hua.
The second floor houses the hotel’s major public spaces, incorporating the Great Room, the Drawing Room, the Terrace and the St. Regis Bar.
There is a dramatic transition from the low ceiling lift lobby to the soaring 8m high ceilings of the Great Room. Living up to its name in proportions and grandeur, the space features expansive windows that floor the room with light, as well as lush topiaries around the borders. The palette of cool greys and sage greens adds to this sense of luxury and openness.
Two silver marble reception desks bring a sense of symmetry to the space, adding a distinctive solid modular form with a strong architectural quality. A gargantuan chandelier – named The Skyline in tribute to the Hong Kong cityscape – has been designed by Fu in a bespoke arrangement of his TAC/TILE lighting collection, created by Czech glass specialist, Lasvit.
The adjacent Drawing Room connects the Great Room to the Terrace and creates a transitional area between the two, with a relaxed and inviting setting. Here, mid-century inspired furniture is arranged in cosy groupings, adding privacy and a sense of intimacy.
“The driving concept behind Fu’s design was to take guests on an immersive and layered visual journey, interweaving narratives of personal memory and the city’s heritage to create a rich, evocative experience”
The Terrace offers a peaceful open-air haven with chairs and tables from Fu’s Rock Garden collection by Janus et Cie. A striking marble water feature creates a visual centrepiece here, leading to a 2.5m high moon gate – a traditional element in Chinese gardens.
One of the hotel’s highlights is The St. Regis Bar, the exclusive, members-only feel of which creates a distinct contrast with the elegant grandeur of the adjacent spaces.
Rich warm tones, tweeds and brass detail,. along with bronze oak panelling and olive leather upholstery, give the bar a cosy and welcoming atmosphere.
A hand painted mural by Beijing artist, Zhang Gong, acts as the central vocal point. The design is inspired by a similar mural by Maxwell Parrish in the St. Regis New York, 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 the old buildings.
In addition to The St. Regis Bar, the hotel’s F&B offering encompasses two exciting restaurants. Rùn Chinese restaurant is inspired by traditional Chinese tea pavilion architecture – inserted as a pale stained oak pavilion within a pavilion.
The pavilion is an abstract architectural expression with intricate interlocking details akin to traditional Chinese architecture, expressed throughout the structure with geometric architectural forms that punctuate the space.
The restaurant’s colour palette of taupe, greys and browns with cinnabar red lacquer accents, references Chinese architectural tones, while integrated cast glass lanterns add a sense of modernity to the whole visual experience.
Two private dining rooms each feature their own lounge areas as well as an over-scaled cast glass chandelier.
L’Envol French restaurant, meanwhile, is Fu’s own interpretation of the contemporary French salon, fusing art with couture and haute cuisine by Chef Olivier Elzer. Decorated in soft cream and beige, the restaurant features hand painted silk murals splashed with gold and hectares of ivory Carrara marble underfoot.
The primary dining area looks onto an open kitchen and is arranged in a banquette style on either side of a 3.3 m long marble table. Bespoke hexagonal chandeliers, composed by antique brass and precious ivory agate, hang from the ceiling.
The artwork here includes ‘On The Edge’ – an abstract marble sculpture by artist Helaine Blumenfeld – which André Fu selected for its poetic qualities, as well as canvas work by French conceptual artist, Laurent Grasso, within the Private Room.
Complementing this extraordinary spread of public spaces, the guest accommodation reflect the intricate juxtaposition of cultural influences that, to Fu, represents Hong Kong. 129 bedrooms, including 14 deluxe suites, two premium suites and a Presidential Suite, prioritise space and comfort over maximum efficiency.
The colour palette features chalky white, warm mineral grey and taupe; beds are dressed in white linen with mauve cashmere throws, and rugs and wall hangings provide a sense of comfort and serenity.
Creating a sense of time and place has always been a key hallmark of the St. Regis brand, but Fu has elevated this yet further in his masterful design for the St. Regis Hong Kong.
