Flamboyant boutique hotel IVY Shanghai is closing for five months from 29th September for a dazzling facelift and re-launch that will present Shanghai's chic, lifestyle-conscious crowd with a new Mecca. A year after first opening in a former 1950’s cinema, the hotel is undergoing a sexy revamp, setting it on course to become Shanghai’s leading party destination as well as being its premier creative residence.
A sensational new basement nightspot is on track to become the new party standard for Shanghai. A stunning indoor / outdoor lobby bar & lounge, loaded with contemporary creature comforts and all-day live DJ sets, is the new spot for all-hours people watching - over champagne, wines and tapas.
An authentic, open plan Italian restaurant with al-fresco seating is being created by Italian chef - Michele Rodelli. The hotel's signature Japanese teppanyaki restaurant Kuramastu will be re-styled and enhanced also.
Bringing a youthful architectural sophistication to the new-look exteriors and public areas of the former cinema is Johhny and Paul Kember of award winning Hong Kong-based international design house K plus K.
Scheduled to re-launch in the 1st quarter of 2010, the 46-room boutique property foresees an increase in international and national travelers next year due to the 2010 Shanghai Expo. The proud owners will accordingly upgrade their current hotel-only offering to present Shanghai with a uniquely-combined ‘Club / Bar / Restaurant / Hip Hotel’ destination - designed to resonate with the ‘global nomad’ community and their chic shanghai friends.
Located in a surprisingly quiet Jing An district residential street that is right next door to the high-traffic New Factories nightlife zone, the hotel occupies the former 1950’s Jiangning Cinema. It is renowned for theatrical rooms and interiors by edgy, young American-French designer Dillon Garris.
IVY Shanghai is the first mainland hotel by CHI International, operators of unique resorts and serviced apartments.
Theodore Koumelis - Friday, September 25, 2009