The Swatch Group announced the opening of a new hotel opening in Shanghai. The city is the luxury capital of China. Swatch hotel has restored or in a sense recreated the 20th century Peace Hotel as the Swatch Art Peace Hotel to be the latest Shanghai luxury hotel. The South Building of the Peace Hotel built in the 20th century has been lavishly restored and transformed into a Swatch hotel. The building is located right in the heart of Shanghai’s luxury mile that attracts the luxury brands from around the world.
The six story red brick building has been restored with great care without diluting its significance as a historical and cultural monument. The new hotel opening was a grand occasion and all the senior Swatch Group executives were present for the ribbon cutting ceremony. The Shanghai City Government was also represented by senior officials and authorities. ‘Art’ in the name of the new hotel is the key word as the hotel aims to bring artists to the centre of Shanghai. The Swatch Group has strong connection with art. They have worked closely with leading artists to create “Swatch Art Special†wristwatches.
The restored hotel will have two floors dedicated as space for living quarters and workshops for artists from around the world. Leading artists from different disciplines will be selected and invited to live and work in The Swatch Art Peace Hotel for a period of up to six months. Apart from Tan Sri Francis Yeoh, Chairman of the YTL Group, which will also operate the hotel and restaurant on premises, Nayla and Nick Hayek, Esther Grether, Françoise-Henri Pinault, Mikhail Kusnirovich and George Clooney are the members of the selection committee that will select the artists to be invited. Don’t you think other hotel groups should also take initiatives to support art and artists?
Via: hauteliving
