COMMUNE BY THE GREAT WALL KEMPINSKI,BEIJING
Commune by the Great Wall is more than a hotel. In the words of General Manager Yves Wencker, The concept simply blows your mind. Envisaged by Soho's husband-and-wife development team,Zhang Xin and Pan Shiyi,and executed by 12 of Asia's hottest architects,Commune is a museum of uber-chic Asian architecture,embodied in 11 high-art houses and a clubhouse set against the undulating backdrop of the Shuiguan Valley,70 kilometres northwest Beijing.
Highlights include Gary Chang's functionally inspirational wooden Suitcase House,Venezuelan-Chinese architect Antonio Ochoa's dreamily imagined Cantilever House and Kengo Kuma's serene Bamboo Wall. Commune's interiors are a match for the arty structures,dressed by high-calibre designers such as Serge Mouille,Claudio Colucci,Karim Rashid and Philippe Starck. This autumn,Commune's second phase will add 21 new villas,a spa and a dedicated Children's House.
Such artistic eclecticism draws architects and celebrities from around the world. J Lo and entourage have partied here and Serena Williams dined on its spacious wooden deck terrace last autumn. If that's not enough,hiking trails follow the curves of unreconstructed sections of the Great Wall,with unique private views of the astounding scenery.
The definition of a boutique hotel varies,though boutique or design properties are widely assumed to be small funky and architecturally stimulating,with strong character. They are also characterized by individuality of design and,usually,very high room rates.
2006 should witness the true birth of boutique lodging in China. World-class design properties are already beginning to surface in Beijing,with a few others dotted across the landscape. This year will see the opening of Commune by the Great Wall's Phase .
Commune by the Great Wall Kempinski
The Commune by the Great Wall,managed by Kempinski since August 2005,is considered SOHO China's most creative project.Set amid the mountains near the Shuiguan section of the Great Wall,the 8 square kilometer development is a private collection of contemporary architecture designed by 12 Asian architects.Collect the art of architecture.Return with unique memories.
Pahse opening soon..
Additional 34 villas with 202 bedrooms,one Kids' Villa and SPA and Fitness Centre will open in September 2006.Enquire now!It is reqarded as a showcase of contemporary Chinese and Asian architecture and an icon of the new China.It was the first time in the history of the Venice Biennial that Chinese architecture was recognized and that the award went to a private owner.
