Another high-profile opening in Shanghai is the adaptive reuse Capella Jian Ye Li, refurbished by local firm Kokaistudios and Singapore-based Jaya Interior Design (founded by late Indonesian designer Jaya Ibrahim, whose projects were taken over by Bangkok studio Blink Design Group after the latter’s acquisition of the firm). Capturing the romance of Shanghai’s East-meets-West past, the site includes 40 new-build residences built in the style of the restored shikumen lilong (lane) structures by John Portman & Associates on the eastern portion, and on the western side, the renovation of the preserved red brick-clad buildings that date back to the 1930s into the 55 hotel villas by Kokaistudios. “It is a strong part of Shanghai society, yet most of these lilongs were destroyed by 2010. Part of our job was to instill a dialogue with the original buildings and the contemporary hotel usage,” says Kokaistudios founder Filippo Gabbiani, who was hired by the original developer Portman Holdings.

Gabbiani has been associated with the project since 2008, long before it became a Capella, but has continued to assist with the design. Like many, the Venice native was drawn to the metropolitan vibe of Shanghai, a city built by Europeans where “you can still see the beginnings of modern city planning,” he explains. “The French, British, Americans all experimented in Shanghai a century ago, leading to an incredible heritage. Low-density neighborhoods are filled with green spaces. People from all over the world want to stay here. The world’s brands all want their flagship store here. It’s a very competitive market. The number of restaurant openings can be overwhelming. But that is what makes it dynamic and attracts a lot of smaller, independent operators.”

Ibrahim came up with the design concept for Capella before his passing in 2015, and Blink continued his vision of mixing different materials and patterns for a dynamic design. The one-to-three-bedroom villas, previously home to multiple families, feature walnut flooring and handwoven carpets, while the master bedrooms lead to private landscaped terraces with decorative ceramic floor tiles. Wrought iron marries wood, rattan, and fabric upholstery on chairs for a timeless Asian feel. “There is a French element to them, too—a calm symmetry in keeping with being in the French Concession that can be seen in the pitched ceilings typical of buildings in the area,” says Rengy John, co-CEO of Blink with Clint Nagata.

Rounding out the facilities are a library, tearoom, meeting area, gym, and soon-to-open Auriga Spa, which includes six treatment rooms with oak flooring and linen textiles. The 60-seat Le Comptoir de Pierre Gagnaire restaurant, the French Michelin-starred chef’s first outpost in mainland China, offers a 40-seat onyx-topped bar and eight-seat chef’s table. Burmese teak furnishings are generously spaced on geometric-patterned floor tiles underneath double-height ceilings with exposed wooden beams. “It’s a discreet place,” John says of the hotel. “You can drive by and not know it’s there. It feels very private, as each villa has its own entrance.”