You could very well walk straight past this hotel in China’s Shanghai, but you’d be sad if you did. It’s another hotel by Loh Lik Peng who we featured recently, and another that respects the history of a building.
The Waterhouse’s 19 rooms are built behind the shell of a 1930s building, with its raw, unpainted original façade left in tact. Further storeys have been added and clad in weathering steel.
Inside, more of the original fabric of the building is visible, respectfully stablised and exposed, in the lobby and communal areas. The guestrooms feature the same industrial aesthetic, but with clean modern lines contrasting the existing building.
“This is a hotel that puts the emphasis on the traveller in search of some meaning, and not just the luxury component of living,” explains Lyndon Neri of Architects and designers Neri & Hu Design.
The hotel overlooks the Huangpu river and Pudong skyline, with is plethora of historic low-rise buildings. A rooftop bar creates the perfect viewing platform to enjoy this unique vista.
There’s also a fantastic restaurant (popular with everyone, not just the guests!) as well as a large function space, and the location is just moments from The Cool Docks lifestyle destination and other attractions.
When it comes down to it, The Waterhouse not only represents sensitive, well-designed revitalisation of an historic building, but is also just, simply… cool!
The Waterhouse
designhotels.com/the_waterhouse
[lg_folder folder=”stories/2011/june-11/travel/waterhouse/waterhouse” display=”slide”]