Hengshan is where the heart is

David Katemopoulos, general manager of Twelve At Hengshan.

Botta designed Twelve at Hengshan to reflect what he calls the historic neighborhood's "genius loci", a Latin word referring to the distinctive ambience of a place. In this case, that means the leafy blocks of the Hengshan neighborhood - lined with plane trees imported from France over a century ago - heritage architecture and the sense of seclusion that a sprawling villa set back from the landscape provides in a dense urban environment.

The Italian architect acknowledges the neighborhood's European heritage on the hotel facade, dressing it with more than 20,000 natural terracotta tiles imported from the Tuscany region of Italy. Many of the neighborhood's historic buildings feature terracotta trimmings, most prominently the former American International School on Hengshan Road.

On the landscaping side, Twelve At Hengshan boasts a contemporary take on the neighborhood's secluded villa gardens. Located in an elliptical courtyard, the "Secret Garden" brims with bamboo groves, cherry blossoms and streams, leaving no doubt that in Shanghai, it's hip to be green. Streams filter natural light into a below-ground swimming pool carved out of stone, creating a sensation the hotel describes as like "being in a cave", presumably without the bats and freezing temperatures.

Back above ground, Twelve At Hengshan's contemporary Chinoiserie decor cleverly evokes just enough of Old Shanghai's glamour to avoid cliche. Amid streamlined furniture, flat-panel televisions and iPod docks, you can find hand-painted screens and wallpapers in the ancient Chinese bird-and-flower tradition, silk lanterns and wooden latticework. The New York-based hospitality design duo Yabu Pushelberg, known for their work on the St. Regis San Francisco and the W Hotel in New York City's Times Square, sought to "blend cultures and timelines", according to the firm's director Glenn Pushelberg.

For guests interested in exploring Shanghai's celebrated history, the hotel can arrange custom tours, Katamopoulos says.

"These allow guests to experience the neighborhood like an informed local," he says. "Besides visiting heritage sites, they also have the chance to discover some of the best bespoken tailors and shoemakers in Shanghai today, which are located within walking distance of the hotel."

Hipsters who prefer to trek it alone can take solace in Twelve At Hengshan's proximity to Shanghai's promenade-of-the-moment Yongkang Road, which offers everything from biker cafes to boutique art galleries.

The grand opening of Twelve At Hengshan will be held on Dec 12.

Contact the writer at matthew.fulco@chinadaily.com.cn.