Swatch Art Peace Hotel

Although it's been quietly refining its, well, art since earlier this year, the Swatch Art Peace Hotel officially opened in November and very beautiful it is too. Located close to the Bund, right opposite the not-to-be-confused Fairmont Peace Hotel, the whole project marks a joint venture between the Swiss brand behind the likes of Omega, Blancpain and Breguet, and Chinese partners Jin Jiang. Part designer showcase, part artists' residence, boutique hotel and restaurant, it's ambitious to say the least. Now in its third stage of opening and looking to follow in the success of those aforementioned boutiques and sixth-floor eatery Shook!, we took a closer look at just what's on offer, as well as a glimpse of what's still to come...

First up, a bit of history: dating from 1854, it was originally the site of the prestigious Central and Palace Hotels, followed by a rebuild and stint as the South wing of Victor Sassoon's renowned Peace Hotel. During that time, it's witnessed its fair share of history: in 1909 it hosted the first meeting of the World Anti-Narcotics League, and was the venue of choice for Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling's engagement party in 1927. When Expo came a-knocking, though, it was time for a revamp, with Swatch's grand plans calling for a two year renovation.





The results are stunning, and with the third and fourth floor ateliers now open for business, Swatch's vision for a creative/ commercial/ hospitality hub is that step closer to becoming a reality. But first, cast all stereotypes of tortured artists far from your mind – with beautiful interiors by Paris based designers Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku, these particular creatives will be enjoying minimalist, faintly industrial accommodation, all alongside studios, work and exhibition spaces flooded with sunlight, and, hopefully, inspiration.

18 ateliers have been created across two floors, designed to house artists from around the world for a period of three to six months, all sponsored by Swatch. Working across a broad range of disciplines, the international talents are selected by a committee including the likes of Nick Hayek, Swatch's CEO; his superstar actress wife Salma; François-Henri Pinault of luxury mega-brand PPR (he knows a thing or two about art – PPR own Christie's auction house amongst other things); and even George Clooney, apparently. As a panel of such leading luminaries would suggest, these artists' residencies are pretty fabulous, with the selected guests being asked for just one work for the hotel's gallery in return.







The rooms themselves are a gorgeously simple combination of exposed brickwork and concrete, crisp wooden floors and minimalist white. Artists looking to install themselves in the city for months at a time needn't worry – they're bigger than lots of Shanghai apartments, with white tiled bathrooms and all the mod cons you'd expect from a hotel. That's all well and good, but if you're to create, you'll need a decent space: all rooms are either linked or adjacent to sizable and sunny workshops, featuring extractor fans, adjustable lighting and oversized sinks, as well as a multi-purpose exhibition space made adaptable through sliding, temporary walls.

Creativity is nothing without inspiration and interaction, and that's something Jouin and Manku have taken into consideration with an open kitchen where artists can cook, mingle and enjoy a hearty breakfast (that's sponsored too), as well as a comfortable lounge area boasting that spectacular Bund view.





There's currently seven artists residing in the ateliers, including three from China. To be one of them and have George Clooney check out your work, apply here. We're big fans of these functional and fabulous spaces, but it's also an interesting move from a brand more closely linked to timepieces. Although a first for the Swiss group, they've long been linked to art through their 'Special' series, a collection of one-off and unique watches, some of which are on show at sixth floor Shook! It's clever, and as if the message needed reinforcing, cements Swatch as a through-and-through lifestyle brand, underlining their commitment to craft and creativity. As for whether it gets artists' seal of approval in the long term, well we'll just have to watch and wait.



A brief foray up to the fifth floor now, which come next year will open its doors as a seven room boutique hotel managed by Malaysian group YTL, and my, what a hotel it'll be! Like the floors below, it's also designed by Jouin and Manku who have really gone to town on this one, with raised beds resting in bamboo lotus flowers, spiral bathrooms and much more besides. It's beautiful, amazing and definitely one for people looking for truly unique Shanghai stay. Slated to open somewhen in 2012, we'll be sure to report back once that's up and running.

For now, though, be sure to check out the (lamentably few) public spaces of this glorious restoration at the Omega Ladymatic exhibition, opening in the second floor space this week. Showcasing women's watches from the 19th century up to this latest, glitziest collection, it's a glimpse into one of the many and varied faces of Swatch today.

********************************************************************************************************************************

For more information, check the Swatch Art Peace Hotel site here, and to apply for one of the artists' residences, there's more details here.