Over a decade after it was originally conceived, the ambitious InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland Hotel is opening to the public. Located in an abandoned quarry in Songjiang, about 30 miles from the city center, the 337 room hotel features panoramic views and several floors that are submerged underwater.
JADE+QA, under the guidance of Martin Jochman, designed the concept and facade. The award-winning design calls for 19 floors, 17 of which plunge down into the depths of the quarry below ground level. Two of the 17 underground floors are actually submerged in a 33-foot-deep aquarium.
One of the most stunning architectural features of the complex is the glass “waterfall” that spills down the side of the quarry and houses an atrium. A glass “waterfall” runs the height of the 19-floor building, housing an indoor atrium.
The InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland Hotel is located in an abandoned quarry and includes an adventure sports center. The InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland is accepting reservations for November 20, 2018 onwards with prices starting at ¥3,380 ($487).
Widely regarded as the hallmark of fine dining, the Michelin star is arguably one of the most sought-after awards for many chefs, and is the sign of dining excellence. There are currently five restaurants in the UK which hold three Michelin stars and Restaurant Gordon Ramsay is one of them.
Gordon Ramsay’s first solo restaurant that opened in 1998 and later in 2001, earned him his first three-Michelin star that made him the first Scottish chef to have won the ultimate status. Over the years, Ramsay has transformed from a chef to a celebrity, internationally renowned and holding a number of Michelin stars, Ramsay has opened a string of successful restaurants across the globe, from Italy to the United States. However, this Restaurant Gordon Ramsay is the beginning of all the successful stories. In 2015, Matt Abé was appointed Chef de Cuisine of the restaurant.
Native lobster, heirloom tomato, Tahitian vanilla and basil.
Once a year, the management at Maple Palace takes on the uncompromising task of setting out a new menu specially for the lunar new year. These exquisitely made dishes take on an auspicious role in ensuring a prospering year ahead.
Visually tantalizing, the duck remains the favourite choice of meat that stands in the centre of tender 7 Head South African abalones stewed to perfection.
While cheese may be an invention of the west, the Cheese Baked Lobster is basked in fried shallots, onion, button mushrooms and a spread of cheese. It is a modern display of how light diary flavour can muster its way into a modern Asian menu at Maple Palace.
Another traditional dish that lays the foundation of Chinese cuisine and remains a popular choice among avid tasters has got to be the Claypot Rice with Assorted Waxed Meat. Claypots are known for its ability to retain strong hot fire. Put meat in it and voila – it never fails!
All-In-One-Goodness is what the Goose Web Abalone Seafood in Casserole wants to convey and is definitery not a dish for the faint-hearted. For seafood lovers, this concoction presents some of the most delicate tastes combined and includes generous portions of vegetables, black mushrooms, dried scallops, fish maw, sea cucumber and more.
“We want to ensure that the living space of the community consists of value added features such as major public amenities and upgraded infrastructures.”
Royalty is a novelty. So unless you’re born into it or through marriage, most of us just live ordinary lives. But in the property world, you can become royalty through the old fashioned way of hard work and merit. That is how executive chairman of Ideal Property Group, Tan Sri Datuk Alex Ooi became the “Property King” of Penang. He has definitely earned this commendable title through his dedication and passion. From nothing, he started Ideal Property Group in 1997 and is now an award winning and well known Penang institution with an array of impressive local and international projects under its belt.
Some of its notable developments include the Attwood Business Centre with a gross development value (GDV) of USD15 million in Cambodia in 2006 and I-Avenue in 2007. Ooi has wrapped up SummerSkye Residences with Solaria Residences and is looking forward to the completion of One Foresta in January 2019.
With such a vast portfolio of projects and more in the pipeline, the 46 year old remains humble and says that property is a passion, rather than an ambition. He is also the chairman for FIABCI Malaysia Chapter Penang Branch, the vice president for Penang Chinese Chamber and Commerce and Convenor for Penang Development, Construction and Management Committee (a Group under Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce).
Ooi strongly envisions the improvement of Penang’s transportation infrastructure and currently has a 20% stake in SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd, the project delivery partner of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP). The PTMP is a RM27 billion investment that was formed by the Penang state government to improve transportation by providing alternative transportation modes to combat worsening traffic congestion – such as Light Rail Transit (LRT) and monorail lines.
“While I have multiple roles, what’s really important to me is CSR for the Penang community. Some of my causes were to build infrastructure and amenities like markets, hawker stalls, community centers, a fire station for the Sri Tanjung voluntary firemen. I’ve also supported the build of the St.John service centre, constructed the new access road of Persiaran Rajawali and widened the road along Jalan Tun Dr. Awang. We’ve also raised the road level and upgraded the drainage system in Relau, Bayan Lepas for flood mitigation purposes,” says Ooi, who is also a dedicated family man.
“While I have multiple roles, one thing that is important to me is carrying out CSR for the Penang community.”
He believes that Ideal Property Group has been successful because of its consistent CSR projects. On the business side, Ooi maintains his competitive advantage by delivering sustainable community-oriented development rather than offering just tower blocks as shelter.
“We’re prudent in planning developments where the surrounding environment is well taken care of. We want to ensure that the living space of the community consists of value added features such as major public amenities and upgraded infrastructures,” he said.
By doing this, the Property King will continue to reign as he will create more community-oriented and affordable development and at the same time, deliver more property gems and ultimately contribute to the nation’s economy.
“即使身兼数职，但对我来说重要的一件事是为槟城社区履行社会责任。我的一些目标是建立公共和便利设施，比如市场、小贩摊位、社区中心、Sri Tanjung 的志愿消防队员的消防站。我也支持了圣约翰服务中心的建设，还有 Persiaran Rajawali 设新通道的工程，包括 Jalan Tun Dr. Awang 的道路拓宽。我们还提高Relau的道路水平和提升排水系统，以缓解防范 水患问题。”他认为，宏升集团之所以成功，是因为坚定贯彻企业社会责任项目（CSR）。在商业策略方面，黄继樑持续透过建设社区为主要导向的发展，而不仅是提供楼宅作为住处以保持市场竞争优势。
Co-founder and Group Chief Operating Officer of MACROKIOSK Bhd
MACROKIOSK Bhd 联合创始人兼集团首席运营官
“Although we are not Google or Yahoo, we would like to bring more creativity and innovation, Silicon Valley perks and ideas here so that Malaysia can provide a first-class digital business environment.”
Looking amazingly young for the title, Dato’ Henry Goh gives a fresh take to the young urbane entrepreneur.An authentic millennial success with an Ivy League education, th riving technology company and a title to boot, Goh is refreshingly humble, excited about life and work, and driven by aspirations instead of cash flow.Most women, and even some men perhaps, are disappointed that he is spoken for.
MACROKIOSK Bhd, a digital enabler that provides technology solutions to businesses in the digital economic world, is set up by three brothers – one of them being Dato’ Henry Goh. Goh studied electrical engineering and got his MBA from Boston University, Massachusetts. “My brothers and I started this business 18 years ago for some extra pocket money. Whatever I achieved in this company kind of defines what I am today.A good part of my working life is invested in this company.”
Information technology was an obvious choice when the brothers talked about operating a business in 1996.It started with the basics, teaching people how to use Microsoft and Excel.Through their father’s mobile phone master distributorship and Malaysia’s information age emergence, the company gained more momentum.“Nothing extraordinary, there was no eureka moment but through my dad we gained access to the world of SMS and from there on worked towards mobile technology.”
Besides providing digital economic solutions, MACROKIOSK is also passionate about contributing to the country, women empowerment and healthy business ethos.
Although started by three brothers, MACROKIOSK was never intended to be a family-run company. “We fight but we are brothers and we stick together.Trust is implicit.We also have a great team of staff, managers and department heads who helped us shape our success story.”
Pioneers of the ‘one-time password’ MACROKIOSK changed the landscape of digital economy, bringing businesses closer to more than seven billion consumers, some of whom may not read newspapers, watch TV or billboards.
“I believe almost everyone in Malaysia has used our services. In 2003 we helped one of the largest banks in Malaysia enable online banking. Today MACROKIOSK powers 90% of the banks in Malaysia in terms of technology.”
As for his own power, Goh recharges by travelling. He has covered more than 70 cities worldwide and the entire European continent. “I see and learn during my travels. It teaches me respect and humility.” And when he is not collecting luxury watches, Goh takes to the skies, soaring his way to attain his Private Pilot Licence.
Dato’ Henry Goh with brothers Dato’ Kenny Goh (left) and CS Goh (right)
Chief Executive Officer of Emphasise Communication Sdn Bhd
Emphasise Communication Sdn Bhd 首席执行官
“Our strategic locations will be beneficial to entrepreneurs andwe want to see more SMEs succeed. To be a fragment of their success story, is an achievement to our vision too.”
More than often, advertisements especially outdoor billboards are dominated by the big boys of the business because of the high cost production. Today, digital technology offers greater creative opportunities for businesses. It allows flexibility and affordability that can benefit millions of small and medium scale enterprises in Malaysia to reach out to potential customers in more attractive formats.
Emphasise Communication Sdn Bhd (Emphasise), a new start-up company, owns and manages LED billboards branded AIM, is offering affordable digital advertising ad slots that makes it possible for small and medium-scale entrepreneurs to have equal brand presence as the bigger brand businesses.
Sheon Hoo Huan, Chief Executive Officer of Emphasise, envisioned a transformation of the local outdoor electronic advertising market. “There are close to a million small and medium scale enterprises in Malaysia with about 90 per cent of them in the service sector. We want to help them to build their brands in half the time it normally takes for entrepreneurs to start branding exercises on mass medium. When we see an outdoor advertisement, we perceive that the company has reached a certain level of financial strength to spend on high cost production. It takes time to get there and yet, brand awareness is essential to improving the market. One can’t be done without the other. Time vs resources become success essential.”
Most entrepreneurs resort to digital marketing because the cost and market reach is within control and resources.
“Outdoor mediums tap into the subconscious mind. Its vivid and bright display attracts the attention of passer-bys instantly. The message that is on the display will subconsciously become information in your mind and the great thing about the subconscious mind is that it is always “on”. Regardless of what you do, it is active day and night.”
AIM LED Billboards was the first to cover a whole 360° of a roundabout. It’s located at a high traffic area with at least 150,000 vehicles passing a day.
“Our strategic locations will be beneficial to entrepreneurs and we want to see more SMEs ucceed. To be a fragment of their success story, is an achievement to our vision too.”
“I wanted to prove that one is never too old to make music. In fact, many of the world’s best conductors go on till their 80s or 90s.”
Maestro Dato’ Woon Wen Kin is a prolific performer, a passionate educator and the most experienced symphony orchestra conductor in Malaysia. In England, he participated in the International Oxford Bach Festival, the Annual Sir Hendry Wood’s Concerts; worked for the London Opera Centre and recorded several violin recitals for the BBC Overseas Service. Subsequently, he was awarded a conducting scholarship by the Federal Republic of Germany to study advance conducting.
Instead of furthering his career abroad, he decided to return to Malaysia and he began to promote and develop orchestral music ever since. In 1978, he was appointed by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports to establish the National Music Camp and served as the music director. In addition, he was appointed the principal conductor of the 1st ASEAN Youth Music Workshop in 1980. In 1991, he was also appointed as the advisor and the conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra.
In 1980, Dato’ Woon founded the Penang Symphony Society and served as its President and Music Director. Through the Society, he has contributed towards the rise of orchestral music in Penang and Malaysia. He has also nurtured thousands of talented musicians, who are now established musicians in academics and performances, furthering the initiatives of promoting orchestral music locally and worldwide in many countries. Today, the Society houses the Penang Symphony Orchestra, Penang Wind Orchestra and Penang Junior Orchestra. Over the years, Dato’ Woon has led these orchestras to perform in Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.
As a globally respected musician, he has been invited as a guest conductor to perform in China, Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines and USA; as well as an adjudicator in the International Mozart Competition for Young Musicians Festival and the International Nier Violin Competition.
He has received many awards for his contributions in music and culture. He has received the Australia’s Oversea Culture Award, the Schubert Medal Award by the Vienna City, the Anugerah Karyawar Seni Musik (Best Director of Music), the Asia-Pacific Cultural Industry Exhibition by China, the Cultural Award in Music, the Lifetime Achievement Award, to name a few.
Ask any watch enthusiast about Rolex, and chances are you’ll get regaled with stories about the foundry where Rolex creates the 18 ct gold alloys used for its watches or the two-colour Cerachrom bezels on the new GMT-Master II. Few will think of the Datejust collection, one of the more understated models of the Rolex family. The Oyster Perpetual Datejust is the archetype of the classic watch, thanks to functions and aesthetics that never go out of fashion. Aesthetically, the Datejust has spanned eras while retaining the enduring codes that today still make it one of the most recognisable of watches.
This year, Rolex introduces the new generation of the Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31, with redesigned case sides and lugs in 18 ct white, yellow or Everose gold. The new Datejust 31 is equipped with calibre 2236 for the first time, which provides great stability in the face of temperature variations and remains up to 10 times more precise in case of shocks.
Amongst the many combinations available, one, in 18 ct white gold, is fitted with a white mother-of-pearl dial and a diamond-set bezel. Another, in 18 ct yellow gold, features a malachite dial with a Roman VI and IX in 18 ct yellow gold set with diamonds, and a version in 18 ct Everose gold is introduced with a diamond-paved dial inlaid with pink mother-of-pearl butterflies.
The Oyster case of the Datejust 31 is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres. Its refined middle case is crafted from a solid block of 18 ct yellow, white or Everose gold. Rolex uses only the highest quality natural stones and equips its team of gem-setters with the latest technologies to create gem-set timepieces that exude excellence.The Datejust 31 is no exception.
“The Divo can lap the Nardò handling circuit in southern Italy eight (8) seconds faster than the Chiron.”
“Divo 在意大利南部 Nardò 环形测速赛道上飞驰，比 Chiron 快了8秒钟。”
Bugatti has recently world-premiered Divo1 its latest supercar at the The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering held at Monterey, California. Tuned for agility, nimbleness and optimum handling performance on winding roads, the French sports caris named after Albert Divo, a French racing driver who was a two-time winner of the famous Targa Florio race on the mountainous roads of Sicily with Bugatti in the late 1920s.
法国著名汽车制造商布加迪（Bugatti）最近在加利福尼亚州蒙特里举行的 The Quail : A Motorsports Gathering 展现了全球首次亮相的新车型 Divo1。为了在蜿蜒曲折的道路上取得更敏捷，灵活和最佳的操控性能，这款超级跑车以法国赛车手 Albert Divo 名字命名。他曾在上世纪 1920 开着布加迪的赛车参加在西西里岛山区公路上举行的 Targa Florio 比赛，并夺得两次冠军。
Divo1 is powered by Bugatti’s iconic eight-litre W16 engine with a power output of 1,500 PS. The aerodynamics of the model have been intensively fine-tuned and the suspension and chassis settings have been modified.
As a result, the Divo is 35 kilograms (77 lbs) lighter and has 90 kilograms (198 lbs) more downforce than the standard Chiron2. The lateral acceleration of the Divo has been boosted to 1.6 g. Its maximum speed is limited to 380 km/h (236 mph).
Launched with a limited series of only 40 vehicles, a hefty price tag selling at €5 million each did not seem to deter any interest and were instantly sold out.
As one of the world’s most renowned Chinese couture designers, Guo Pei creates show-stopping ensembles that blend majestic opulence with theatrical fantasy. The designer’s bejeweled gowns, headpieces, and sculptural shoes were recently styled and photographed by HOWL Collective, who created a series of shots in celebration of the fashion visionary.
Published by Rizzoli as a monograph, the HOWL team’s 122 fairytale shots (titled Guo Pei – Couture Beyond) provide insight into Pei’s incredible designs and their connection with ancient Chinese culture through series of images from themed settings depicting mythical narratives such as Legend of the Dragon and One Thousand and Two Nights.
HOWL Collective announced, “The first major book on China’s leading couture visionary reveals the intricate craftsmanship and imperial glamour that has fashion publications worldwide declaring Guo Pei’s creations ‘the Empire’s new clothes.’”
More of HOWL Collective’s projects on their website and the Guo Pei – Couture Beyond photobook is now available on Amazon.
“We want to ensure that the living space of the community consists of value added features such as major public amenities and upgraded infrastructures.”
Sheon Soo Huan
“I wanted to prove that one is never too old to make music. In fact, many of the world’s best conductors go on till their 80s or 90s.”
EZ MALAYSIA.NEWS 