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Old medical center given new lease of life
By Wu Huixin and Xu Wenwen |
May 20, 2013, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
The intersection of Wulin Road and Shihuqiao Road was once the site of the Hangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Now it's a rendezvous for Hangzhou hipsters, with fashion brands, design studios, art center, stylish knickknack stores and cafes.
The building dates from the 1950s and has been restored under financial aid from local government.
Today, this block is known as Queens Park. Crowds are drawn by its enticing combination of history, fashion and culture, even though some of the rebuilding work has not completed yet.
Shanghai Daily paid a visit to the Queens Park last weekend, and uncovered three gems - two cafes and a doll shop.
Metoo Cafe
The first Metoo Cafe located in Ideal Silk 166 Loft Park has already been hugely popular around Hangzhou, and this third branch is also proving a big hit, even though it opened only 10 days ago.
The brand Metoo is defined by a distinctive style philosophy; such as taking advantage of the potential of existing decor and construction, and then integrating modern design and furniture.
This Metoo Cafe in Queens Park is no exception. The designers, also the bosses, have retained the coarse brick walls and concrete stairway, but decorated them with abstract paintings.
Old wooden doors plucked from the former residential buildings create another quirky touch.
The decor and ambience is Japanese minimalism. No matter whether tables or sofas, the owners stick to a plain principle, giving customers a simple but modern space.
A highlight is the display of delicate silver service items, with gleaming plates and bowls engraved with exquisite floral patterns exhibited on an illuminated glass shelf.
Address: No. 4 Building, Queens Park, 277 Wulin Road
Tel: (0571) 8895-6082
Apelife
Cool dolls don't have to be cute or good-looking - Apelife, a doll brand owned by Hong Kong illustrator and designer Winson Ma, provides a range of ape-themed products from dolls and toys to fashions and bags.
This Hangzhou branch, which opened last month, is Apelife's first on the Chinese mainland.
It is unique inside and out. A real-life size ape has been painted on the outside wall of the store by Ma, accompanied by the signatures of Ma's artists friends, signed on the opening day.
The inside, though very small, features displays of clothing and packs, as well as ape dolls of all sizes. Even the small dolls are clad in Apelife garments.
Ma, who was president of Hong Kong Illustration Association from 2009 to 2011, was inspired to create the brand by a Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition.
He founded Apelife in 2006, designing a series of dolls for the "Apes' Antarctic Research Expedition."
"It was a childhood dream, and the expedition drove me to turn the dream into reality," says Ma.
An Apelife exhibition will tour the Chinese mainland from next month until November.
Address: No. 7 Building, Queens Park,277 Wulin Road
Tel: (0571) 8893-5811
Maan Coffee
Maan Coffee is a famous South Korean cafe chain brand with branches across China, now including Hangzhou.
Unlike traditional cafes with cozy, low-key facades, Maan Coffee is designed as a huge glass box, guaranteed to catch the eye of passersby.
Outside, customers can sip their coffee under sunshades, surrounded by plant pots, and enjoy some fresh air in the natural setting.
Inside the cafe, a highlight is the crystal chandeliers. Spectacular large examples hang from the ceilings, while smaller crystal shades separate different areas of the cafe, creating a romantic atmosphere.
Sofas and wooden tables are set in rows, with enough space for hundreds of customers.
Address: No. 6 Building, Queens Park,277 Wulin Road
Tel: (0573) 8970-0377
The building dates from the 1950s and has been restored under financial aid from local government.
Today, this block is known as Queens Park. Crowds are drawn by its enticing combination of history, fashion and culture, even though some of the rebuilding work has not completed yet.
Shanghai Daily paid a visit to the Queens Park last weekend, and uncovered three gems - two cafes and a doll shop.
Metoo Cafe
The first Metoo Cafe located in Ideal Silk 166 Loft Park has already been hugely popular around Hangzhou, and this third branch is also proving a big hit, even though it opened only 10 days ago.
The brand Metoo is defined by a distinctive style philosophy; such as taking advantage of the potential of existing decor and construction, and then integrating modern design and furniture.
This Metoo Cafe in Queens Park is no exception. The designers, also the bosses, have retained the coarse brick walls and concrete stairway, but decorated them with abstract paintings.
Old wooden doors plucked from the former residential buildings create another quirky touch.
The decor and ambience is Japanese minimalism. No matter whether tables or sofas, the owners stick to a plain principle, giving customers a simple but modern space.
A highlight is the display of delicate silver service items, with gleaming plates and bowls engraved with exquisite floral patterns exhibited on an illuminated glass shelf.
Address: No. 4 Building, Queens Park, 277 Wulin Road
Tel: (0571) 8895-6082
Apelife
Cool dolls don't have to be cute or good-looking - Apelife, a doll brand owned by Hong Kong illustrator and designer Winson Ma, provides a range of ape-themed products from dolls and toys to fashions and bags.
This Hangzhou branch, which opened last month, is Apelife's first on the Chinese mainland.
It is unique inside and out. A real-life size ape has been painted on the outside wall of the store by Ma, accompanied by the signatures of Ma's artists friends, signed on the opening day.
The inside, though very small, features displays of clothing and packs, as well as ape dolls of all sizes. Even the small dolls are clad in Apelife garments.
Ma, who was president of Hong Kong Illustration Association from 2009 to 2011, was inspired to create the brand by a Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition.
He founded Apelife in 2006, designing a series of dolls for the "Apes' Antarctic Research Expedition."
"It was a childhood dream, and the expedition drove me to turn the dream into reality," says Ma.
An Apelife exhibition will tour the Chinese mainland from next month until November.
Address: No. 7 Building, Queens Park,277 Wulin Road
Tel: (0571) 8893-5811
Maan Coffee
Maan Coffee is a famous South Korean cafe chain brand with branches across China, now including Hangzhou.
Unlike traditional cafes with cozy, low-key facades, Maan Coffee is designed as a huge glass box, guaranteed to catch the eye of passersby.
Outside, customers can sip their coffee under sunshades, surrounded by plant pots, and enjoy some fresh air in the natural setting.
Inside the cafe, a highlight is the crystal chandeliers. Spectacular large examples hang from the ceilings, while smaller crystal shades separate different areas of the cafe, creating a romantic atmosphere.
Sofas and wooden tables are set in rows, with enough space for hundreds of customers.
Address: No. 6 Building, Queens Park,277 Wulin Road
Tel: (0573) 8970-0377
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