Swire Hotels has opened The Middle House, the latest addition to The House Collective. The intimate luxury hotel and residences aims to offer a taste of Shanghai luxury and an urban retreat in the heart of the city.

“We are really excited about The Middle House,” said Brian Williams, deputy chairman of Swire Hotels. “The Middle House is our fourth hotel in The House Collective, which welcomes world travellers who seek a luxurious yet unique and personalised experience during their stay.”

Modern design, cultural touches

The Middle House has 111 studios varying from 50-100 square metres. It also has a gallery suite and a penthouse – all of which are influenced by architect Piero Lissoni’s interior design. Lissoni’s firm prides itself on ‘thinking out of the box’ and having a neverending stream of inspiration and experiment.

The hotel’s design took some inspiration from the city’s rich heritage. Shanghai is known for its craftsmanship and culture, and the hotel has married a minimalist style with classical elements. On the property, guests will find cultural touches and artwork inspired by Shanghai.

The penthouse is a 660 sqm space overlooking the fashionable Nanjing West Road. The suite offers private terraces, a lounge and an exclusive event space with a private kitchen. It’s ideal for special occasions, dinner parties and product launches.

Dining options

Featuring a mix of cuisines, The Middle House offers three gourmet restaurants and bars.

• Café Gray Deluxe – An eatery by chef Gray Kunz, it combines a restaurant, lounge bar, private dining room and boasts one of the best terraces in the city. Café Gray Deluxe is ideal for al fresco dining and cocktails during Shanghai’s warmer seasons.
• Frasca – The kitchen of Frasca is headed by chef Stefano Pace. Frasca mixes classic cocktails with a selection of Italian bottled beers and one of the largest grappa selections in Shanghai, plus an Italian-focused wine list.
• Sui Tang Li – Opening soon, this Chinese restaurant serves dishes meant for sharing. Chef Tony Ye delivers artisan Dim Sum and has curated a menu composed of creative and contemporary dishes influenced by Shanghainese, Sichuan and Cantonese regional cuisines.

The residences

For longer stays, the hotel houses The Middle House Residences. Ranging from 55 to 110 sqm, they offer all the posh features of The Middle House with the convenience of apartment-style living.

“The House Collective has a loyal fan base of savvy and discerning travellers,” said Michael Faulkner, general manager of The Middle House. “We’re very excited to be able to host them in Shanghai and build a new network in this fantastic city”.