Mercato Restaurant Shanghai by Neri & Hu | Yellowtrace.

Mercato Restaurant Shanghai by Neri & Hu | Yellowtrace.

Mercato Restaurant Shanghai by Neri & Hu | Yellowtrace.

 

Situated within the prestigious shopping centre Three on the Bund, Mercato restaurant is Shanghai’s latest culinary destination by renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Designed by Neri&Hu, the interior is inspired by the chef’s culinary vision and the restaurant’s rich historical context of early 1900s Shanghai, when the Bund was a bustling industrial hub.

 

Mercato Restaurant Shanghai by Neri & Hu | Yellowtrace.

Mercato Restaurant Shanghai by Neri & Hu | Yellowtrace.

 

In keeping with the restaurant’s name, the vibrant atmosphere inside the main dining space is reminiscent of street side marketplace. The central Bar and Pizza Bar are both encased in steel mesh and wire glass boxes with recycled timber canopies. A network of tube steel elements, inspired by old butcher’s rails, interlock with the exposed ductwork and form a system for hanging shelving and lighting. The banquette seating along the edge of the dining area is made from timber salvaged on site.

 

Mercato Restaurant Shanghai by Neri & Hu | Yellowtrace.

Mercato Restaurant Shanghai by Neri & Hu | Yellowtrace.

 

Stripping back the layers of finishes that have built up after years of renovations, the design concept celebrates the beauty of the bare structural elements. Three on the Bund was the first building in Shanghai built out of steel, and the architects’ decision to reveal the original steel columns pays homage to this extraordinary feat. Against the textured backdrop of the existing brickwork, concrete, plaster and mouldings, new insertions are clearly demarcated. Constantly playing the new against the old, Neri&Hu’s design is a reflection of the complex identity of not only the historical Bund, but of Shanghai at large.

 

Mercato-Restaurant-by-Neri-Hu-Shanghai-China-Yellowtrace-09

Mercato Restaurant Shanghai by Neri & Hu | Yellowtrace.

Mercato Restaurant Shanghai by Neri & Hu | Yellowtrace.

 

The beautiful space bridges the organic, raw and industrial with elegance and modernity. Reclaimed timber and warm leather tones complement the exposed steel, glass and concrete to create an atmosphere that is polished yet warm and inviting.

See more projects by Neri&Hu on Yellowtrace.

 


[Photography by Pedro Pegenaute.]

 



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With a disarming blend of authority and approachability, Dana is a former refugee-turned-global design visionary. Through her multi-faceted work as a creative director, keynote speaker, editor, curator, interior designer and digital publisher, Dana empowers others to appreciate and engage with design in transformative ways, making the sometimes intimidating world of design accessible to everyone, regardless of their familiarity with the subject. Dana's been catapulted to the status of a stalwart global influencer, with recognition from industry heavyweights such as AD Germany, Vogue Living, Elle Décor Italia and Danish RUM Interiør Design, who have named as one of the Top True Global Influencers of the Design World and counted her among the most visionary female creatives on the planet. Her TEDx talk—"Design Can Change the Way You See the World"— will challenge and transform your understanding of design's omnipresent and profound influence. Through her vast experience in interiors, architecture and design, Dana challenges the prevailing rapid image culture, highlighting the importance of originality, sustainability, connecting with your values and learning to "see" design beyond the aesthetic.

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