Starwood Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing of an agreement with Shanghai Huayu Real Estate to bring its ultra-luxury St. Regis brand to Shanghai.

Scheduled for completion in early 2017, The St. Regis Shanghai Jingan will open its doors in one of the most exclusive, sought-after locations in the heart of the city’s central business district.

The new hotel will join the brand’s fast growing presence in Greater China, where St. Regis currently operates six properties and has an additional ten in the pipeline - including The St. Regis Macao, which is set to open this December.

“St. Regis remains laser-focused on growth in destinations where affluent travellers from around the globe are seeking unparalleled guest experiences, and we are thrilled to expand our Chinese portfolio with a flagship hotel in Shanghai – one of the most vibrant cities in the world,” said Jim Petrus, global brand leader, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts.

“The St. Regis Shanghai Jingan will set a new standard for luxury hospitality in Shanghai, with our tech-forward and multi-lingual St. Regis butlers providing discerning guests with memorable and personalised service experiences.”

The St. Regis Shanghai Jingan will be situated on West Beijing Road - one of Shanghai’s most desirable addresses - in close proximity to the West Nanjing Road business area in Jingan, a well-established central business district featuring premium corporate offices and luxury retail stores.

Part of a new mixed-use development, the hotel will offer approximately 480 guestrooms, including 41 suites and 47 residences.

All guestrooms will be located from the 29th to 59th floors, boasting stunning views of the Shanghai skyline.

There will also be several three-bedroom luxury St. Regis apartments on the top floors of the building, redefining high-end city living in downtown Shanghai.

The new hotel will offer sophisticated culinary experiences with three restaurants and an alfresco bar, extravagant wellness facilities including a spa, indoor swimming pool and a sprawling fitness centre, as well as approximately 2,000 square meters of event space.