Shanghai's upcoming 480-meter skyscraper in the North Bund area will be home to the world's first Ritz-Carlton Reserve hotel under urban concept, marking a milestone for Marriott International's ultra-luxury hospitality brand.
SIIC North Bund New Landmark Co., Ltd. and Marriott International signed a cooperation agreement here on Thursday to bring the Ritz-Carlton Reserve brand to the North Bund Plot 91, a supertall mixed-use development in Shanghai's Hongkou District.
The agreement formally confirmed Shanghai as the location for the global debut of the Ritz-Carlton Reserve's urban concept, adding a new marquee attraction as the city seeks to strengthen its position as a world-class tourism destination.
-- New landmark for Puxi
The North Bund New Landmark Project, with a planned height of 480 meters and a gross floor area of about 460,000 square meters, will combine hotel, office, retail and observation deck facilities.
Scheduled for completion in 2030, it will become the tallest building in Puxi, on the west bank of the Huangpu River. The tallest building in Shanghai as well as in China is the 632-meter-tall Shanghai Tower on the east bank of Huangpu River.
The project is being developed by a joint venture backed by Shanghai Industrial Investment (Holdings) Co., Ltd. (SIIC), Shanghai Chengtou Group and Shanghai Construction Group. The three shareholders bring extensive expertise and resources in real estate development, ecological sustainability and urban services.
Since construction began, the project has been developed to "the highest standards and best practices," bringing together leading international teams and placing a strong emphasis on green, low-carbon and digital technologies. It aims to set a new benchmark for skyline landmarks and green, smart urban renewal in Puxi.
At present, the tower's core structure has surpassed 200 meters in height, and the project is steadily progressing toward its targeted completion and delivery in 2030.
-- Redefining urban luxury
For Tina Edmundson, president of Luxury at Marriott International, bringing the Ritz-Carlton Reserve to Shanghai represents a pivotal leap forward in the brand's luxury footprint across China.
She noted that Shanghai's rich cultural heritage, vibrant spirit of innovation and well-established luxury travel ecosystem perfectly align with the brand's "urban sanctuary" concept.
Mao Yibing, president of Greater China at Marriott International, echoed this sentiment by referencing the traditional Chinese philosophy, "The greatest hermit lives in the city." She explained that guests can enjoy privacy, tranquility and highly personalized luxury experiences even amid the energy of a major metropolis.
"This thinking has led us, for the first time, to bring the Ritz-Carlton Reserve into the heart of a metropolis," Mao said.
Currently, there are nine Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties worldwide, each located in destinations distinguished by their natural beauty, cultural heritage and strong sense of place -- including Rissai Valley in Jiuzhaigou and the Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Dunhuang, both in China.
"We hope this signing will mark the beginning of an even broader partnership and open the door to more opportunities to work together in the years ahead," Mao said, stressing that Shanghai has long played a strategic role in Marriott International's growth in China.
"In 1998, we opened the first Ritz-Carlton hotel in mainland China. Twenty-eight years later, we are entering a new chapter in this dynamic city with the debut of the Ritz-Carlton Reserve," she said.
-- Driving tourism, urban renewal
The introduction of the Ritz-Carlton Reserve reflects shared confidence in the quality and international appeal of the North Bund New Landmark Project. It also aligns with the project's broader ambition to enhance Shanghai's global profile, upgrade the North Bund's hospitality offering and help drive the transformation of the city's tourism and hospitality sectors.
Huang Haiping, vice president of SIIC and chairman of SIIC North Bund New Landmark Co., Ltd., said the hotel would further raise the project's international stature and enhance its hospitality services, creating a new destination for both business and leisure travelers in the heart of Shanghai.
"Together, we aspire to create a distinctive urban experience for travelers from around the world and establish this tower as a world-class landmark -- one that combines cultural depth with contemporary elegance and reflects the spirit and ambition of Shanghai," Huang said.
Huang also noted that the project owner is fully committed to supporting the hotel's development and future operations. "I am confident that, through our close collaboration and with the continued support of all shareholders, the Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Shanghai will open successfully and become an exciting new addition to the city's skyline," he said.
Looking ahead, Huang emphasized that the project will establish a new urban landmark through outstanding spatial design, deliver professional operations with superior service, and enhance the city's appeal through unique guest experiences, contributing to Shanghai's accelerated journey toward becoming a world-class tourism city. (Contributed by Ji Lei and Gao Pan)
A single purchase
