AB CONCEPT PRESENTS SPAGO A CULINARY EXPERIENCE THROUGH UNEXPECTED REALMS
June 17, 2026
Shanghai, June 2026 – AB Concept, the renowned international architecture and interior design studio, announces the completion of Spago, the new restaurant conceived for The St. Regis on the Bund Shanghai, in the heart of the Chinese metropolis.
With Spago, AB Concept continues to redefine the culinary experience through design. In line with the studio’s longstanding philosophy, the careful selection of materials and atmospheres transforms all-day dining into an immersive, multi-sensory journey.
The project draws inspiration from A Journey in Other Worlds, John Jacob Astor IV’s 1894 novel that tells the story of a visionary capable of imagining futures far beyond his own era. In the same spirit, Spago invites guests into a universe where Hollywood glamour and a strong sense of theatricality are expressed through a stylistic language that balances timeless elegance with a futuristic vision.
From the moment guests arrive, the entrance evokes a sense of suspended time — both familiar and unexpected — like a curtain rising on an opening act and drawing the audience into the unfolding narrative. Alabaster flooring diffuses a warm luminosity, while marble and bronze walls lend the space a refined sophistication. Stainless steel lines across the ceiling introduce a sense of precision, softened by the warmth of wooden inlays.
Further inside, the lounge and bar areas reveal a harmonious balance between grandeur and intimacy. A sculptural chandelier illuminates the room, while marble flooring enhances its sense of prestige. Fluted glass cladding around the bar shimmers with understated elegance, mirrors expand the perspective and create depth, and softly upholstered velvet banquettes invite guests to unwind in complete comfort.
The main dining room unfolds like a stage set, allowing guests to experience the changing rhythm of the day. In the morning, natural light floods the polished marble floors and finely crafted timber walls, creating an atmosphere of calm and serenity. As the day progresses, furnishings in warm wood and bronze tones, combined with the soft textures of the fabrics, interact with the shifting light to gradually transform the ambience. The open kitchen becomes part of the performance itself, offering guests a view of the chefs’ craftsmanship as a form of live theatre.
A private dining room completes the experience, enveloped in an atmosphere that is both scenographic and understated. Mirrors, wood and bronze define the space, while fabric wall panels soften the acoustics, enhancing the sense of intimacy and seclusion.
Bronze-framed doors create a seamless dialogue between the interior and exterior spaces, leading onto a terrace conceived as a verdant library — a suspended garden above the city. The setting is defined by beams clad in coloured glass, while draped fabrics soften its architectural lines. Deep sofas and plush cushions encourage guests to pause and reflect within this oasis, poised between the vibrant energy of the dining room and the openness of the sky.
Spago joins a series of recent projects by AB Concept, including Culinary Symphony, the latest addition to the acclaimed Akira Back collection; Song Chinese Restaurant, together with the lobby lounge and all-day dining venue at the Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake; and the striking members-only sky clubhouse L38 at Wenzhou Lucheng Plaza.
Together, these projects reaffirm the studio’s ability to combine aesthetics, cultural identity and design innovation, further consolidating its position as a leading force within the international interior design landscape.
NOTES TO THE EDITORS
THE ST. REGIS ON THE BUND, SHANGHAI
No.538 Zhongshan Dong Er Road, Huangpu District, Huangpu
200010 Shanghai, China
ABOUT AB CONCEPT
AB Concept is an architectural and interior design studio founded in 1999 by Ed Ng and Terence Ngan. With offices in Hong Kong, Taipei, Kyoto, London and Milan, the studio creates narrative-driven interiors across hospitality, commercial and residential sectors, combining local culture, craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail. Working globally across more than 40 cities, AB Concept collaborates with leading hospitality and luxury brands, including Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, Rosewood, Waldorf Astoria and W Hotels. Recent projects include Paper Moon Giardino in Milan, Lalique’s flagship store in Shanghai, award-winning bar Argo at the Four Seasons Hong Kong and the Lounge at the Ritz-Carlton Tokyo. Alongside spatial design, the studio develops product collaborations with brands such as Tai Ping, Poltrona Frau, Lasvit, Noritake Design Collection and Dornbracht. Known for its refined and forward-thinking approach, AB Concept continues to explore what design can do, beyond what it looks like.
abconcept.net | @ab_concept