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No trip to London has ever been complete for me without a visit to the world’s leading department store, Harrods. Where else can you find art selling for millions under the same roof with every fashion house, gourmet food, and just about everything else you could ever imagine? I’ve spent tons of time wandering the store that was established in 1834, daydreaming about jeweled household items, and eating my way through the food hall. Now, this venerable shopping mecca is opening a private club in Shanghai.
The Residence will epitomize British luxury. It will create a destination that offers the finest hospitality for an exclusive membership. Housed in the Cha House in Shangahi, it will feature a restaurant from celebrity chef and TV star, Gordon Ramsay. His Gordon Ramsay at The Residence Shanghai will offer elevated British cuisine.
Gordon Ramsay said of the opening:
It has long been an ambition of mine to open a restaurant in Shanghai, and it was always about the perfect time and the perfect location. I’m delighted to be partnering with Harrods on The Residence, a truly exclusive and exciting opportunity where we will be bringing a very special and thoughtfully curated menu of British cuisine to the members and their guests, later this year.”
The Residence will also be pouring some of the world’s rarest and most exclusive whiskies thanks to a close partnership with Edrington Group. It will provide a curated portfolio from The Macallan, The Glenrothes, and Highland Park. Residence members will be able to host exclusive, private dinners and take masterclasses hosted by these partners.
Harrods describes The Residence as:
Introducing: The Residence, a private shopping suite hosted by Harrods and designed by Harrods Interior Design in Shanghai’s historic Cha House, where members can shop the latest styles, attend exclusive events and – even –enjoy a quintessential afternoon tea, all in exquisitely designed surroundings.
Enter the opulent lounge through beautiful Chinese-Deco stained-glass doors and you’ll be greeted by a harmonious mélange of Art Deco detailing, contemporary finishes and bespoke elements that celebrate the building’s century-old heritage.
Routed in feng shui, the space has been meticulously arranged to maximise sociability. Pods promise opulent seating with smooth textures and rounded silhouettes – from playful scallop-backed armchairs to plush, jewel-toned sofas. Octagonal chairs allude to the Chinese lucky number, while a Ginko-leaf design on a partition screen retracts to reveal TV screens –perfect for displaying runway shows.
Staying faithful to the building’s architecture, the team retained original mouldings and flooring, adding brass-finished wall panelling and Art Deco columns for an ultra-luxurious finish.
In the client suites, bespoke screens inspired by traditional Chinese fans contrast with beautiful Magnolia wallpaper and art from the Halcyon Gallery. While in the bar, plumage tiles in an ombré colour palette reference those found in the Food Halls in Knightsbridge.
Finally, for the perfect #bathroomselfie, hand-painted murals adorned with custom-made Murano glass lights complement a striking marble, pink onyx, brass and gold-leaf ceiling.”
All of this luxury will not come cheap. The Residence will be limited to 250 members and its annual fee starting around $20,000. Members of The Residence will be able to access all the club’s facilities including the refined bar and spacious lounge, private dining rooms, and outdoor terraces.
Membership also comes with Black Tier status with Harrods Rewards and all of the benefits in the London store as well as access to ultra-premium lifestyle services including Harrods Aviation, Harrods Estates, Harrods Interior Design, as well as private shopping services at the iconic Knightsbridge store.
The Residence will open at the end of 2023 on level two of the renowned Cha House. It’s also home to the Harrods Tea Room and Piano Bar.
Anthony’s Take: If you’re a regular Harrods shopper, live in Shanghai, and can afford to spend over $20,000 each year on membership fees, The Residence might be the spot for you. I’m a big Gordon Ramsay fan and know that Harrods embodies luxury. I’m sure this club will be a hit with the select 250 that become members. It will be interesting to see if Harrods expands this concept to other cities.
(Image Credits: Harrods.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
