Inspired by John Jacob Astor IV’s sci‑fi novel A Journey in Other Worlds, AB Concept transforms Spago Shanghai into a sky‑high dining room on the Bund.
AB Concept has reimagined Spago Shanghai, the new rooftop restaurant and bar at The St. Regis Shanghai on the Bund, as a cinematic vantage point above the city. Set on the 21st floor, with sweeping views of the Huangpu River, the Lujiazui skyline and the Bund’s storied waterfront, the space forms a dramatic stage for Wolfgang Puck’s signature Californian cuisine.
“For Spago Shanghai, the brief encouraged us to move beyond our usual frameworks and envision a destination that captures the Bund’s energy, a filmic sensibility and a sense of timeless allure,” says AB Concept co-founder Ed Ng. Taking cues from John Jacob Astor IV’s 1894 science-fiction novel A Journey in Other Worlds, written in tribute to the founder of The St. Regis New York, the design threads together the heritage of St. Regis, the glamour of Hollywood’s golden age and Shanghai’s cosmopolitan spirit to create an experience that stays with guests long after they leave.
Guests arrive through an entrance defined by crystalline clarity. Snow-white onyx flooring inlaid with backlit geometric patterns sets a sleek, almost futuristic tone as light and shadow glide across the surface, while teal and antiqued bronze marble details introduce a sense of enduring refinement. Art Deco motifs on the lift doors nod discreetly to Hollywood’s heyday, establishing a quietly dramatic mood before the main rooms unfold.
In the lounge and bar, a pavilion-like chandelier with sculptural presence anchors the interior, striking a careful balance between statement and intimacy. Beneath it, striped and curved bands of marble and timber flooring trace the rhythm of a stage, subtly echoing California’s relaxed elegance. Vertical fluted glass along the bar softens and reflects the light with a gentle sheen, bridging contemporary polish and a touch of retro charm, while velvet banquettes and upholstered chairs create a cocooning, comfortable setting that encourages guests to linger.
The primary dining area reads like a scene washed in a cinematic filter. Soft turquoise tones combine with warm, hand-finished timber walls to build an atmosphere that feels both calm and expansive. Throughout, the layering of materials and details pays homage to classic Hollywood opulence: a translucent white glass ceiling diffuses light evenly across the room, while mint-green upholstery and polished bronze accents heighten contrast and depth, further amplifying the filmic ambience.
At the heart of the room, a sculptural olive tree rises as a striking focal point, signalling the modern Italian influences woven into the menu. Around it, a sweeping curved wine wall departs from conventional rectilinear storage in favour of fluid lines that give the space a sense of movement and underline Spago’s ongoing commitment to innovation and exploration.
Spago’s own legacy as a pioneer in contemporary dining underpins the project. Since Wolfgang Puck opened the original restaurant in Beverly Hills in 1982, its inventive Californian cuisine and open-kitchen format have helped redefine expectations of the modern restaurant, with the open kitchen becoming a visual hallmark of the brand. In Shanghai, AB Concept continues that narrative with an open kitchen clad in blue lacquer, marble and bronze at the centre of the dining room, allowing guests to observe each dish being prepared and reinforcing themes of transparency, theatre and craftsmanship.
Outside, the rooftop terrace is imagined as a “green secret garden” floating above the city, providing a quiet counterpoint to Shanghai’s pace. Framing uninterrupted views of the Huangpu River and the Lujiazui skyline, the terrace showcases the metropolis at its most expansive. Coloured glass beams filter daylight into soft, shifting hues that echo the changing skyline and introduce a note of gentle surrealism, while bronze-framed doors and billowing textiles soften the architectural lines and lend the terrace a relaxed, resort-like ease.
For more intimate gatherings, the private dining rooms offer spaces that are both tranquil and characterful. Layers of mirror, timber and bronze enrich the tactility of the interiors, and timber-framed fabric screens subtly enhance acoustics so that conversations feel more personal and contained. Marble surfaces provide a grounded, composed base, while bronze details catch the light against a palette of earthy tones and mineral-inspired patterns that quietly reference the interstellar imagery of Astor’s novel without tipping into literal symbolism.
“The Bund and Beverly Hills may sit on opposite sides of the world, but they both carry a sense of aspiration and glamour,” reflects design director and lead designer Linwei Sung. “Spago Shanghai brings those worlds together in a way that feels both expressive and intimate, a place where filmic fantasy meets the reality of everyday dining.”
