KEE is an exclusive new private members’ club set in a truly unique, beautiful and intimate environment at the elegant 1920s Twin Villas on 796 Huai Hai Lu. KEE at 796 Huai Hai Lu is the club for people who are interested in being part of a certain chic lifestyle which embraces the ultimate in art, music, food, wine and most importantly, people.
Founded in 2001 by Hong Kong-based Austrian Christian Rhomberg and his wife Maria, the original KEE private members club in Hong Kong has created an exclusive salon culture incorporating convivial fine dining, an international clientele who adopt a unique lifestyle through corporate and cultural events. KEE includes countless international celebrities amongst its frequent visitors.
KEE offers the best of everything from fine dining to wine appreciation, design to entertainment and casual conversation to orchestrated networking. It is relaxed, chic, witty, discreet and will continue to be shaped by the people who consider it ‘home’.
The new Shanghai club showcases the finest art and design from around the world within its European-influenced environment and offers a diverse selection of international entertainment including avant-garde film screenings and some of the most interesting social, corporate and cultural events ever to be held in the city.
Food and Drinks
KEE at 796 Huai Hai Lu is one of the leading restaurants in China. A culinary team of world-class European and Chinese chefs serves up a refreshing and contemporary dining experience encompassing International and Cantonese cuisine.
Among the exceptional F&B offerings at KEE Club Shanghai, serves authentic, traditional Cantonese and innovative Southern France cuisine that impresses even the most cultured palates. An elegant fine dining restaurant, KEE Club Shanghai welcomes diners to enjoy intimate business and social lunches and provides and elegant venue for formal dinners, including private dining rooms that include balcony with garden view.
A native Shanghainese, Chef Ken Lu arrives at KEE Club Shanghai from his previous kitchen experiences from different Michilin star chefs in HK, and Singapore. Chef Ken has long been admired for his signature beef plates and seafood creations, each fashioned with the chef’s masterful touch.
KEE Club Shanghai also stages champagne and wine tastings, pairing dinners and even arranges invitations to the world’s most renowned chefs for guest programs.
Design
KEE at 796 Huai Hai Lu is set in Twin Villas, an exquisitely restored neo-classical 1920s heritage maison, which has now been transformed to an elegant residence. When founders Christian and Maria Rhomberg first had the idea for KEE they envisioned an apartment in Paris with beautiful and eclectic furniture, interesting art collection which they could share with special friends over drinks and delicious cuisine.
KEE at 796 Huai Hai Lu certainly lives up to this concept. Upon entering, the stunning wooden staircases lead up to the club as sunlight streams through original stained-glass windows. Its all-wood floors, high ceilings and French windows overlooking the secret garden add wonderfully to the romantic and elegant ambience of the club.
The club inhabits the third floor which connects the two Twin Villas and features: an elegant, cosy brasserie style restaurant, a sensuously exquisite yet comfortable main lounge and bar with outdoor balconies overlooking the garden as well as private salons for more intimate dining. On the fourth floor are two exclusive salons, the Alfred Dunhill Salon and The Vacheron Constantin Salon designed for private functions. The interiors are filled with beautiful furniture and objets that Christian Rhomberg personally handpicked from all over Europe and these pieces give a fascinating insight into the history of European art and design over the past 300 years. The rich red upholstery, unique copper bar, open fireplaces, high ceilings and tiled stone balconies create a classical yet modern feel in the space.
Art
KEE at 796 Huai Hai Lu is filled with an interesting and eclectic collection of fine art. The Rhombergs commissioned talented Russian artist Konstantin Bessmertny to paint original pieces for the club. His classically trained but edgy and witty style perfectly compliments the atmosphere of the club and the personality of the KEE brand.
In the main lounge Christian envisioned a two-tone piece based on the style of 17th century painter Piranese. Konstantin took these elements and studied roman statues housed in the Louvre for months; the result of his creative vigilance is an original epic piece that creates a powerful focal point in the main lounge area. Konstantin’s work is evident throughout the club, even down to the hand painted signs on the restrooms.
Architecture
The Twin Villas was originally a typical Shanghainese style house with small rooms and beams and is a fine example of the architectural style that was popular in the 1920s.
It was built in two different stages. The right hand structure, where KEE’s Lounge and bar is situated, was first built in 1921. The techniques used on this side of the building are of immaculate quality, and one of the best examples of this fine craftsmanship being the elegant right-hand staircase. The left side of the Twin Villas was built five years later.
KEE at 796 Huai Hai Lu brings to life the fine historic setting of this heritage building and reinterprets the elegant 1920s era with culture, art and modern people to make this a total sensory experience like no other in Shanghai.
Celebrities
KEE at 796 Huai Hai Lu is set to attract successful people from all areas of life who feel relaxed in this hassle free environment. KEE Hong Kong has seen visits from Royalty and celebrities such as Philippe Starck, Mick Jagger and Ron Wood from the Rolling Stones who are found frequenting the club. Bernard and Antoine Arnault, the powers behind LVMH are both ardent supporters of KEE. Sporting greats the likes of Michael Jordan, Hidetoshi Nakata and LeBron James have also partied on the floors of KEE. Other celebrities include Sting, Brian Ferry, Jude Law, Wong Kar Wai, Zhang Ziyi, Mischa Barton, and Chris Noth a.k.a. Mr. Big of Sex and the City, Michelle Yeo, Chow Yun Fat and Maggie Q.
For more information visit www.keeclub.com
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For more information on KEE at 796 Huai Hai Lu visit www.keeclub.com or contact:
KEE Club Shanghai KEE Club Shanghai
Cicely Chen Sisi Lu
Tel: (86) 21 3395 0970 Tel: (86) 21 33950909
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
