Wilson Associates has designed 315 guest rooms, 37 suites, lobby, and public spaces for Conrad Shenyang, located in one of China's most historic cities and situated atop the tallest building in Liaoning Province's capital. Wilson Associates' New York studio created a concept that reflects the character of Shenyang, exploring the intersection of the site's past and present.
The team created an engaging experience for luxury travelers while exploring the intersection of the site's past and present - discovering design cues from classic Chinese dwellings of courtyards and gardens where guests embark on a journey of discovery through crafted spaces infused with bespoke detailing and nature-inspired motifs for public spaces. The design team merged the locale's rich legacy with contemporary interpretations of Shenyang's traditions and culture, serving as a guiding principle in the design while building a visual journey with immersive details.
Home to the birth of the Qing Dynasty, Shenyang was once walled with heavy entrance gates and now has transformed into a hub of transportation and industry. Merging the past with the present is mirrored in the design, which features public spaces that are clean and modern. Conrad Shenyang offers a spacious grand ballroom, equipped with five projector screens and five 14,500-lumen LCD screens, which can host up to 500 guests.
The Grand Ballroom welcomes guests with 9-foot-high doors, clad in rich natural black Mica sheets to create a grand entry. Inside, the ceilings soar 29 feet high, imbuing a sense of grandeur, while the space draws inspiration from the forest. The walls are decorated in undulating white oak wood paneling, and the carpeting features deep crimson pink combined with patterns that mimic shadow and light. Bespoke modern chandeliers recreate the look of raindrops in the space vertically, creating a beautiful scenery. Intimate seating paired with bespoke wood and brushed bronze screens maintain an exclusive residential ambiance. Atmospheric lighting from specially-designed light fixtures like the globe lanterns at the entrance-a symbol of celebration-adds drama and a romantic ambiance for guests.
While the Grand Ballroom offers a luxurious and glamorous aesthetic, the meeting spaces provide a casual setting with intimate residential-style lounge spaces. Each meeting room is self-contained with built-in coffee/tea bar, safe and coat closet. The Junior Ballroom, a residential-style event space on the 5th-floor rooftop, has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a private tranquil garden terrace.
Beyond the elegant public spaces, the hotel also offers 315 guest rooms and 37 suites including the Presidential Suite. Guest rooms and suites offer panoramic views of the Shenyang skyline. The design of these accommodations pays homage to Hang Lung Properties' reputation as a leader in high-end shopping malls by introducing bespoke haute couture detailing and touches in the guest rooms. The detailing is evident in the luxurious walk-in closet where the clothing rod, shelving and drawers showcase specially designed black and brass hardware integrated into the millwork. Additionally, the guest room's concealed, combination safe recreates the look of a jewelry box.
The guest room features finely appointed materials, colors and textures. The finely-tailored desk features a mix of brass and camel-colored leather with double stitching integrating lighting and convenience outlet. Added accents of turquoise in the millwork and accessories lend an haute chinoiserie touch. The plush muted palette is warmed with touches of red wool plaid or mustard tweed for a sartorial touch. Paired with the background of chalk-colored wall panels and walnut wood, the room exudes a fashionably classic tailored look yet sensuous and inviting. The spa-like bathroom is bedecked in natural quartzite stone on the floor and gray marble on the walls. The deep soaking tub, double vanity sinks, generous shower stall and the heated floor offers an indulgent yet calming atmosphere.
Photography: Adam Bruzzone, Courtesy of Conrad Shenyang