Fuzhou Shangri-La Centre is a landmark mixed-use redevelopment that reimagines the city’s renowned five-star hotel into an urban living room at the heart of Fuzhou.
Opened in 2005, the 414-room Shangri-La Hotel in Fuzhou established the first luxury international hotel in the city. Two decades later, a second phase expansion has transformed the destination into a dynamic mixed-use development – integrating a five-level, 50,000 sqm retail podium and a new 100-metre Grade A office tower. The result is a bold reconfiguration of the site’s land use and urban contribution, transforming a single-purpose hotel into a lifestyle hub that connects seamlessly to Fuzhou’s famed Wuyi Square.
Developed by Shangri-La Group, the project reflects the brand’s vision to revitalise this prime city-centre location as a vibrant gathering place for residents and tourists alike. The design brief called for a high-end, commercially viable urban destination that blends hospitality, business, retail, dining, and entertainment, bringing renewed vitality and value to the wider district.
Design that Bridges Legacy and Luxury
Lead8’s design takes a layered “Old meets New” approach, balancing refurbishment and new construction while bridging Fuzhou’s architectural legacy with contemporary urban life. Inspir
ed by the traditional Tulou (roundhouses) of Fujian, the nearby Qing Dynasty White Pagoda, and the city’s historic gateways, the architecture and interiors reinterpret local heritage through modern form, texture, and materiality.
The 120,000 sqm development is unified through terraced landscaping, sky gardens, and open-air linkages, creating permeability and constant interaction between all components – hotel, retail, and offices. These boundaryless spaces enhance accessibility and circulation across multiple levels, establishing a continuous flow between indoors and outdoors.
Greenery is embedded throughout the design, shaping an active public realm that celebrates Fuzhou’s subtropical environment. The integration of civic spaces and lush terraces reinforces the site’s role as an extension of Wuyi Square, creating an inviting environment where business, leisure, and community life converge.
Resilient Design Adapting for the Future
More than renewal, this project extends the influence of the original development and redefines its role in the city. By introducing new uses and stronger urban connections, the mixed-use expansion ensures that Fuzhou Shangri-La Centre continues to evolve and remain resilient for the future.
Fuzhou Shangri-La Centre has now fully reopened following its phased transformation. This smart redevelopment anchors Shangri-La’s enduring presence in Fuzhou and positions the property as an urban living room – connecting the city’s rich past with its dynamic future.
