The St. Regis Tianjin is located in the prestigious Heping District, the financial heart of the city considered the “Jin Men” – or “gateway” – to Northern China.  This newcomer to the rapidly evolving Tianjin skyline is destined to become an architectural landmark while setting new standards for luxury and bespoke service.
 
“We look forward to welcoming guests to The St. Regis Tianjin, the new gateway to all that northern China has to offer,” said Damon Page, General Manager of The St. Regis Tianjin.  “From the bold architecture to the exquisite interiors to the bespoke service – The St. Regis Tianjin is designed to exceed expectations and create new benchmarks for design, luxury and hospitality in the city.”
 
Constructed of steel and glass, the iconic 18-floor building rises from the river in the shape of a hollowed cube, further enhancing the concept of Jin Men. 

The building’s distinct design is modern, cosmopolitan and glamorous, reflecting the marriage of past and present that is indigenous to both the St. Regis brand and Tianjin, historically one of China’s most international cities.  The bold shape redefines the city’s skyline and reconfirms Tianjin as China’s gateway. 

Project architect, SOM has designed many signature projects over the past two decades that have redefined China’s urban landscapes including the Pearl River Tower in Guangzhou, the China World Trade Center in Beijing, the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center as well as Hong Kong’s International Airport, the Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai, and Tianjin’s new Financial Center.
 
The hotel’s interiors are designed by KCA International, a global interior design firm with offices in London, Dubai and Hong Kong.  Taking their cues from the glamorous days of the early 20th century, when the flagship St. Regis in New York was in its early heyday and the city of Tianjin was a bustling center of shipping and finance, the interiors feature strong influences of Art Deco and Art Nouveau. 

Step into the hotel’s enormous grand lobby and the opulence of the era is on display both in the premium quality of the materials used and the meticulous craftsmanship.  The lobby floor is made from hand-selected pieces of rare Calacatta marble that have been painstakingly bookmatched to form continuous patterns. Several larger-than-life chandeliers feature intricate decorative glasswork.  Tianjin’s shipping history is reflected in elaborate Chinese navigational star map designs on the wool carpets, leather reception screens, and the soothing water feature.
 
The lobby also features “The Golden Times” by Zhu Legeng, one of the most famous ceramicists in China who created the world famous “Rhapsody of Time and Space” found in the Miral Concert Hall in Seoul.  The centerpiece of the St. Regis Tianjin lobby, “The Golden Times,” is comprised of 230 hand-made ceramic pieces vividly depicting waves, ripples and cobblestones – unique features found throughout Tianjin and the Heping District. The nautical theme of Tianjin’s history is echoed in many of the hotel’s public spaces. The elevator lobby features a custom bronze etching depicting historic Tianjin maps, historical interests and modern Tianjin. Photos and ephemera from Tianjin’s turn-of-the-century heyday as a major port are on display as well.
 
The St. Regis Tianjin offers 238 rooms and 36 luxury suites which have been thoughtfully designed to provide travelers with a unique respite from the hectic urban pace. The sumptuously appointed guestrooms are designed with warm, subdued colors and promote a sense of relaxation and wellbeing.  The guest rooms feature a seamless integration of contemporary Western aesthetic with ancient Chinese influences.
 
The Presidential Suite – the largest luxury suite in Tianjin – evokes the ancient Chinese cultural icons of the lotus and the fish, symbols of divine beauty and purity. The striking chandelier evokes the many layers of the lotus flower, and the Master Bedroom headboard feature resembles a flowing river for the lotus to float. The contemporary design is softened with warm hues of natural colors with accents of contrasting darker colors. Natural materials, such as soft wool carpets, plush leather sofas and sleek, silken fabrics are also used.  The room is punctuated by dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows that angle outward over the river with sweeping views of Tianjin.
 

The St. Regis Tianjin offers three distinct destination restaurants, each  blending contemporary elements of Chinese culture with Western influences.  Located alongside the beautiful Hai River, Riviera is Tianjin’s first contemporary bistro, replete with its own outdoor terrace overlooking the river walk.  Promenade, also located on the riverside, has a bright and airy ambiance accentuated by the beautiful custom art screens along the walls; offering all-day dining with an international menu and fine wines.
 
Yan Ting is a modern Chinese restaurant specializing in Cantonese cuisine with a relaxing yet sophisticated atmosphere. The elegant décor is individually accented by colors inspired by various semi precious stones depicting elements of ancient Chinese culture. A carved ceiling is inspired by the Chinese lucky symbol “Double Joy,” while modern glass lanterns are suspended from the ceiling.  The restaurant displays many treasured modern artworks by notable Chinese artists.   Yan Ting restaurant offers 11 private rooms each named after the precious stones found throughout Chinese decorative culture.
 
The St. Regis Bar pays homage to Tianjin’s storied history as an ancient seaport.  The ceiling art is a portal into the rich, international history of Tianjin's thriving harbor community.  The ambiance is sophisticated and masculine, with rich leathers and wood paneling.  Decanter is the ultimate urban wine cellar and tasting room, available for private parties, meetings and special events.
 
The St. Regis Tianjin features the signature Iridium Spa, operated by Touch Spa, a five-star luxury spa designed for maximum comfort and wellbeing. The spacious 1,200sqm spa offers five private treatment rooms and two couples rooms. A pair of VIP rooms is furnished with double Jacuzzis, SPA massage beds, private lockers and hot spa salon beds.  Afterwards, guests can enjoy a refreshing swim in the indoor swimming pool.

There is more than 2,700sqm of thoughtfully designed and thoroughly functional meeting and special event spaces, including the elegant Sky Ballroom on the 15th floor with sweeping views of Tianjin and unique leaf shaped chandeliers. On the lower levels, venues include the grand St. Regis Ballroom, with elegant crystal chandeliers and intricate wool carpets, and 14 versatile event rooms, divisible into 22 spaces, each with state-of-the-art amenities.  Each meeting room is named after one of the Nine Provinces, a term from ancient Chinese history that refers to the territorial divisions during the Xia and Shang dynasties and has now come to symbolically represent China.

On the rooftop level of the building, an elegant courtyard and garden is offered to guests who would like to walk around, relax or just read a book.  Adjacent to it, the hotel showcases the Diamond Ballroom - a place with extraordinary city views, an ideal venue for small sized exhibitions, meetings or elite cocktail receptions.

The St. Regis Tianjin is set to open in October, 2011.

www.stregis.com/tianjin