Amanresorts is planning to open its fourth property in China next year, close to downtown Shanghai.
It will be the company's first hotel in the Shanghai area, and will cover a full 100 acres. But beyond that, the details are vague: No name has been announced for the resort—although two years ago, Cornell's School of Hotel Administration called it the Aman Yangyun. The company has also not yet said how many rooms the completed property will have, but a release said that the resort would have "new suites and villas" to complement 24 restored antique villas.
Those antique villas will be a highlight of the resort, as will a collection of several thousand ancient camphor trees. The resort includes 50 houses from the Ming and Qing dynasties that were deconstructed and moved to the new site from 800 miles away before being rebuilt by local craftsmen.
The design team is also adding contemporary structures alongside the reassembled ancient houses. Kerry Hill's architecture is set to preserve traditional Chinese design while blending it with modern styes. Da Dong Ma, founder and chairman of both Shanghai Gu Shan investment management company and Shanghai Gu Yin Real Estate, funded the conservation project. Shanghai Gu Shan would appear to be the owner of the property.
"This project and the many challenges it presented were unimaginable, but we overcame them not only to defy the test of time, but to push the boundaries of traditional hospitality," Vladislav Doronin, chairman of Aman, said in a statement. "This resort, a legacy to the past, stands proud as an archive for future generations. I am especially grateful to Ma Dadong, the mastermind behind this unique restoration project and whose foresight and determination has made it possible to preserve the magnificent history of China for generations to come."
The as-yet-officially-unnamed resort follows Aman Summer Palace in Beijing, Amanfayun in Hangzhou (pictured above) and Amandayan above the UNESCO-protected Old Town of Lijiang.