Redefining the term ’shabby chic’, the Waterhouse Hotel in Shanghai is part of a new breed of boutique hotels housed in understated spaces in the Asian metropolis.

From the outside, an inconspicuous concrete shell disguises an elegant industrial interior created by Neri & Hu.

For the fit-out of the riverside South Bund building, Shanghai-based architects Neri & Hu Design and Research Office (NHDRO) were called upon to create a space that defined the new Shanghai, where modern and heritage sit alongside one another harmoniously.

The hotel is comprised of a 19-rooms and restaurant, Table No 1, as well as a 743 sq metre event venue converted from a former warehouse, able to accommodate 800 guests.

Danish furniture designs by Arne Jacobsen and Hans Wegner, mingle with pieces by Antonio Citterio and Kana Ishikawa in the minimal bedrooms, each one unique from the other.

Located in Shanghai’s historic Shuliupu district, the space offers a warm heritage feel. A welcome contrast to Shanghai’s iconic hotels such as the two Hyatt hotels, which tower over the city in the Pudong district.

The Waterhouse at South Bund
waterhouseshanghai.com