The renowned international architecture and interior design studio, AB Concept, has announced the completion of Spago, the new restaurant conceived for The St. Regis on the Bund Shanghai, in the heart of the Chinese metropolis.
With Spago, AB Concept continues to redefine the culinary experience through design. In line with the studio’s longstanding philosophy, the careful selection of materials and atmospheres transforms all-day dining into an immersive, multi-sensory journey.
The project draws inspiration from A Journey in Other Worlds, John Jacob Astor IV’s 1894 novel that tells the story of a visionary capable of imagining futures far beyond his own era. In the same spirit, Spago invites guests into a universe where Hollywood glamour and a strong sense of theatricality are expressed through a stylistic language that balances timeless elegance with a futuristic vision.
From the moment guests arrive, the entrance evokes a sense of suspended time – both familiar and unexpected – like a curtain rising on an opening act and drawing the audience into the unfolding narrative. Alabaster flooring diffuses a warm luminosity, while marble and bronze walls lend the space a refined sophistication. Stainless steel lines across the ceiling introduce a sense of precision, softened by the warmth of wooden inlays.
Further inside, the lounge and bar areas reveal a harmonious balance between grandeur and intimacy. A sculptural chandelier illuminates the room, while marble flooring enhances its sense of prestige. Fluted glass cladding around the bar shimmers with understated elegance, mirrors expand the perspective and create depth and softly upholstered velvet banquettes invite guests to unwind in complete comfort.
The main dining room unfolds like a stage set, allowing guests to experience the changing rhythm of the day. In the morning, natural light floods the polished marble floors and finely crafted timber walls, creating an atmosphere of calm and serenity. As the day progresses, furnishings in warm wood and bronze tones, combined with the soft textures of the fabrics, interact with the shifting light to gradually transform the ambience. The open kitchen becomes part of the performance itself, offering guests a view of the chefs’ craftsmanship as a form of live theatre.
