Eight creates new Maldives destination for Pontiac Land

An elevated Maldivian experience that celebrates nature, craft and connection

Hong Kong, June 24, 2020 – Singapore-based real estate developer, Pontiac Land, has announced the launch of Fari Islands, a new archipelago set to open in Q1 2021 in the Maldives. This development will include three world-class hotels - operated by Capella Hotels & Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, and Patina Hotels & Resorts - as well as a vibrant Marina and a purpose-built island campus to host the staff working across all the resort islands.

Eight Partnership was tasked to create a distinctive destination brand to integrate this unique multi-brand hospitality product. The brand proposition, “Home of Island Artistry”, tells the story of Fari Islands as a place where nature, craft and connection are celebrated. A visual identity will also be rolled out later this year to support the launch of the project.

Core to Fari Island’s brand proposition is the creation of the picturesque Fari Marina Village, a communal hotspot comprising a beach club, boutiques, F&B options, and exciting programmes engaging the world’s most creative minds; as well as Fari Campus, a dedicated island with thoughtful town planning, full range of facilities and amenities, and continuous development opportunities, dedicated to developing the next generation of Maldives’ top hoteliers.
The project is being shaped by some of the world’s foremost architects and designers including Studio Mk27 by Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan, Kengo Kuma & Associates, and Kerry Hill Architects.

“Eight is proud to work alongside such renowned names as Kengo Kuma, Kerry Hill and Marcio Kogan, as well as hospitality visionaries Capella, Ritz-Carlton and Patina, to help bring this next-generation destination to life,” says Bjorn Fjelddahl, Partner. “We also worked with the local communities to listen to their views, and to understand their aspirations. With its unique blend of Maldivian culture, pristine natural beauty and sense of community, we think Fari Islands will set the new bar for an elevated resort experience in the Maldives.”

About Fari Islands

Fari Islands is an elevated Maldivian resort experience that celebrates nature, craft and connection. Anchored by three world-class hospitality brands, Fari Islands is located in the North Malé Atoll of the Maldives, a 50-minute speedboat journey from Malé International Airport.

The archipelago also features the picturesque Fari Marina Village, built around a vibrant Fari Beach Club, charming boutiques and a selection of handpicked, upscale food and beverage options. Spaces have been masterfully designed by renowned architects from Studio Mk27 (by Marcio Kogan), Kengo Kuma & Associates, and Kerry Hill Architects, to bring about a delicate balance of serene and social.

One of the islands is home to a thoughtful hospitality campus; Fari Campus is a dedicated island for staff with a focus on community, education, and engagement, and is the first of its kind in the Maldives.

About Pontiac Land

Pontiac Land is a Singapore-based real estate developer with over fifty years of experience in luxury property development. Collaborating with a select team of award-winning architects and designers who share Pontiac Land’s values and commitment to excellence, Pontiac Land has grown its collection to include hospitality, commercial, residential and medical office properties. Strategically located in prime locations, each distinct architectural achievement is complemented with world-class, exclusively commissioned art to enrich the experiences of its living spaces. The Group’s portfolio of developments span Singapore, New York, Sydney and the Maldives.


www.pontiacland.com

Eight creates Twin-Line Hotel in Karuizawa, Japan

Designing an exciting new destination for today’s generation of nomad adventurers

Hong Kong, June 17, 2020 – Eight Partnership has created a new hospitality brand in the exclusive mountain resort of Karuizawa, Japan, the traditional summer retreat for the Japanese royal family. Eight was assigned to create the brand, architecture and interiors. The Twin-Line Hotel, developed and operated by Kato Pleasure Group (KPG), a hospitality company with a diverse portfolio of businesses ranging from marketing, planning, conceptual work to operations, is set to become a vibrant new destination for today’s generation of adventurers, who seek more than simply a place to rest their head, but a true travel experience where stories are swapped and experiences shared.

Eight developed the strategy, name and visual identity for the hotel, which is located in the Shinonome area, just a few minutes’ walk from the resort’s main railway station. This highly accessible location, coupled with Karuizawa’s distinctive casual and contemporary chic atmosphere, attracts both the traditional holiday revellers from Tokyo, as well as increasingly the ‘nomadic travellers’ of a digital-savvy generation, who love to meet new people and discover new places, and yet also demand a strong sense of design and comfort.

To appeal to them, Eight created a brand story woven around the ‘Twin-Line’ name, which speaks to the idea of two destinies unfolding in parallel, symbolising the connections we make as we travel - planned or serendipitous. The clean and minimalist logo captures this visually, with two dashes simply nestled side-by-side.

In collaboration with Sayo Muroi, branding and art director from Saiun Design and Koji Koyama, from Brooks Studio, Eight also created the architecture and interior design, shaping common spaces that truly bring people together in a spirit of conviviality and shared experiences, and rooms that are warm, comfortable and enjoyable. The core focus of the interior is the combined bistro-lounge-lobby whose center piece is a dramatic, vertical hearth-fire, a place of both physical and spiritual warmth - almost like a central campfire for the nomads to huddle around.

“Twin-Line Hotel is a winning combination of Eight’s understanding of hospitality trends in Japan and beyond, showcasing convincing storytelling, and immersive design”, says Chris Fjelddahl, Partner. “Appealing to an emerging generation of digital nomads who love to share stories, swap creative ideas, and engage one other in new experiences, Twin-Line will be the meeting point of two distinct aspects of Karuizawa - one rooted in the town’s legacy of elegance, with the other looking firmly towards the future of travel.”

To learn more about Twin-Line Hotel, please visit www.twin-line-hotel.com.

Eight creates pioneering fine dining brand in Guangzhou, China

Name and Identity capture innovative concept blending French and Chinese culinary heritage

Hong Kong, June 11, 2020 – Rêver 玥 (pronounced “yuè”), the highly-anticipated flagship restaurant from progressive F&B group Heuie Cuiscene, has opened in Guangzhou, China. Eight Partnership previously created the brand for the group itself in 2019, and has now launched their début venture, Rêver 玥, which is touted as the very first modern French fine dining venue in the southern Chinese metropolis. 

The concept behind Rêver 玥 is a ‘Culinary Atelier’, which expresses the team’s boundless passion for food, countless hours of experimentation in the kitchen, and precision honed by decades of technical training. The unique blend of contemporary French techniques and Cantonese culture is captured through the pairing of French and Chinese names: Rêver (/ʀeve/, ‘to dream’) and 玥’ (yuè, ‘iridescent pearl’), the former conveying the team’s dreams and aspirations, the latter paying homage to the Pearl River, the waterway that flows through Guangzhou, which the restaurant overlooks and takes inspiration from.

The logo of Rêver 玥 was inspired by a traditional Chinese seal and a circular French crest, complemented by the palindrome form of the French name which conveys charm and sophistication. The colour palette comes from the reflections of the Pearl River at various times of the day: green in the morning, tan at sunset and blue in the evening, and are correspondingly applied to the menus - lunch, drinks list and dinner. The brand colours are also applied to the décor, creating a continuous flow of space from the interior to the panoramic views of the Pearl River beyond the window walls.   

"Some think branding a restaurant is just about a name and logo, but it’s so much more than that,” says Bjorn Fjelddahl, Partner. “It starts with a concept most often rooted in the food, but also a physical space, a service philosophy and an ambiance. Most of all it relies on the people who come together to create an outstanding dining experience for guests. Working with the wonderful people at Heuie Cuiscene made our job easy - they passionately shared their ideas which we were able to translate into a name and visual identity that really represents the essence of the restaurant.”

“Working with Eight has been an experience the team will always look back upon fondly,” says Edward Suen, Chief Operating Officer of Heuie Cuiscene. “From positioning, to naming, to design, even down to the project management - we’ve met nothing but efficient and quality work and thoughtful, out-of-the-box ideas, which in turn allowed us to create a highly polished dining experience we can confidently present to our guests.”   

About Rêver

Rêver draws inspiration from Cantonese classics to create contemporary French dishes that embody a sense of local culture, as well as an emphasis on the original flavours of seasonal ingredients. Led by Executive Chef Biao Hong, all dishes are created with seasonal ingredients and presented through its tasting menu. To complement the dining experience, Rêver teams up with top wine consultants, tea masters and mixologists to craft unique yet intriguing beverage options to perfectly match its seasonal menu. 

www.restaurantrever.com

Eight creates Hann Resorts in the Philippines

New integrated resort brand billed as the “Ultimate Luxury Playground”

Hong Kong, March 2, 2020 – Eight Partnership announced today the unveiling of Hann Resorts, a new integrated resort brand created for the Widus Group, the casino and resort owner/operator in Clark, Philippines. The new luxury resort brand brings to life a unique and vibrant mantra of “Life is Play. Play is Life.” by elevating the integrated resort concept with a carefully curated mix of luxury hotels - including Marriott International, Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts and Mercure Hotels - a new world-class casino and an entire suite of entertainment, gaming and resort experiences.

The name was inspired by Mr. Daesik Han, Chairman and CEO of the Widus Group. “As Widus Hotel & Casino is transforming and morphing into a world-class integrated resort through a comprehensive redevelopment and the addition of the Clark Marriott Hotel, a Swissôtel and a Mercure, we felt a new resort brand was needed to lead our expansion plans. Our objective was to create a new, elevated destination brand that invites our guests to escape the ordinary and to join the ultimate luxury playground,” said Mr. Han. “Eight has been a great collaborative partner in helping me and my team translate our vision into a new and unique luxury resort brand.”

Apart from brand strategy and naming, Eight also developed a new visual identity. “The logo is composed of four vertical lines that represent the four brand attributes of gaming, golf, play and indulgence,” explains Jeremy Kong, Creative Director at Eight. “The negative space formed by the four lines reveals the letter ‘H’, allowing the logo to also work as a form of monogram, reminiscent of private member luxury clubs,” adds Kong.

Hann Resorts was unveiled last week at a launch event held at the Clark Marriott Hotel, Philippines, for which Eight also created a video showcasing the new name, logo and launch campaign tagline “Play Bold. Live Bold.”

A first phase will see the current Widus Hotel & Casino in Clark transformed into the Hann Casino Resort by Q4 2020, while a second ultra-luxury resort, currently in planning and design in New Clark City, will be launched in the future under the Hann Lux brand. The Hann Lux Lifestyle Resort is designed to be the crown jewel of the Hann brand with three 18-hole championship golf courses designed by Nicklaus Design, Sir Nick Faldo and KJ Choi, a Banyan Tree and Angsana, as well as hotels operated by Westin Hotels & Resorts and The Luxury Collection by Marriott International.

“We thoroughly enjoy working with Mr. Han and his team,” says Bjorn Fjelddahl, Partner at Eight, “It is the start of an exciting journey and we’re looking forward to continue developing the Hann brand into a world-class collection of integrated resorts”.




About the Widus Group

Since 2008 the Widus Group has been operating the premier one-stop leisure destination, Widus Hotel and Casino in the Philippines. With a vision to evolve and change the gaming and hospitality landscape by bringing international standards through integrated resort developments, Widus continues to partner with renowned brands and provide state-of-the-art gaming facilities, world-class offerings and entertainment to the Philippines. 


www.widus.com

Eight opens Tokyo office

Industry-veteran Toshiyuki Sanada appointed to lead continued Japan expansion

Hong Kong, Jan 30, 2020 - Eight Partnership today announced the opening of a Tokyo office to service a fast-growing base of clients in Japan.

“We delivered our very first project in Japan in 2007, but then really started regular work there from 2010. That was ten years ago.” says partner Chris Fjelddahl. “After completing a long string of projects in Tokyo, Okinawa, Sapporo, Osaka, Nagoya, Karuizawa, Niseko and more, we feel the time has come to make a bigger commitment to the Japanese market with the launch of our new Tokyo office.”

The office is centrally located in Shibuya Scramble Square (SSS), the tallest building in the area right in the vibrant heart of the city, and is headed by Toshiyuki Sanada. Mr Sanada is a respected veteran who has significant international experience with real estate developer Mori Building, including in China and Southeast Asia, and more recently headed ‘Powered by We’, the workplace design business of WeWork Japan.

Eight has a long list of iconic projects under its belt in Japan. These include luxury residential work for Mori Building’s Toranomon Hills project, brand strategy for the Hokkaido Fighters new mega ‘baseball city’ in Sapporo, luxury hotel branding for Toyota and Hyatt in a ground-breaking project in Shizuoka near Nagoya, design collaborations with renowned designers Ogata Shinichiro and Tadao Ando, a series of alpine resort projects in Niseko, Hokkaido that span restaurants, retail, and luxury residential, project branding for blue-chip developer Tokyo Tatemono, hospitality branding for Tokyu Group, and many more.

On the private equity side, Eight Capital Partners – Eight’s 2019 spinoff – successfully raised a Japan-centric fund which immediately went on to secure in June 2019 a first investment for a JPY6.35B (approx. HK$450M/US$58M) ski-resort project in the Hanazono area in Niseko, adjacent to the Park Hyatt hotel.

“We are very positive about the Japanese market. We have always found Japan to be a natural fit with Eight’s quality mindset and our design ethos. We also see great opportunities to leverage Eight’s international platform to help our Japanese clients connect with Asia and the rest the world,” says Fjelddahl. “This is going to be a lot of fun!”

“There is plenty of demand from Japanese clients for an international branding and design firm with Eight’s blue-chip credentials,” says Sanada. “The boom of inbound visitors, both travellers and investors, creates strong demand from clients to help them build international bridges. I am excited to lead this new stage in Eight’s evolution in Japan.”

Eight rebrands YTL-owned luxury mall in Kuala Lumpur

Redefining the retail-hospitality experience through “Home of the Tastemakers” positioning and engaging visual design

Hong Kong, 17 January 2020 - Eight Partnership recently engaged in a full-scale rebrand for Starhill Gallery, a YTL-owned luxury shopping destination located at the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s famous shopping belt, Bukit Bintang.

Eight adapted the name for the newly repositioned mall, “The Starhill”, leveraging existing brand equity, and designed the visual identity and communications materials running up to the mall’s relaunch in 2021. Under the Eight-led strategic positioning “Home of the Tastemakers”, The Starhill will infuse hospitality into the retail experience, allowing patrons to shop, dine and stay in a refined, warm and inviting home-like environment replete with thoughtful touches of true tastemakers - an exclusive sanctuary crafted by and for those with a discerning eye for style and taste.

The Starhill’s refreshed visual identity features a logo echoing the curves and edges of the mall’s signature architectural forms, paired with carefully curated, provocative fashion and design photography applied across various branding collaterals, balancing timeless sophistication with the excitement of experiential retail. 

“As the values and consumption habits of consumers continue to evolve, The Starhill must dare to differentiate to stay at the forefront of today’s fast-changing retail landscape, and as the place to be in Bukit Bintang,” says Mr Joseph Yeoh, Vice President of YTL Land & Development Bhd. “Bringing their extensive experience in hospitality and retail to the table, Eight has been instrumental in formulating the ‘Home of the Tastemaker’ brand positioning to holistically capture the core essence of our new retail-hospitality concept, allowing us to sidestep the cookie-cutter mall trend and imbue The Starhill with personalised, engaging, and one-of-a-kind experiences.”

Chris Fjelddahl, Partner at Eight, says, “Size and scale are no longer the only factors determining who succeeds and who doesn’t in retail. In an age where shoppers actively seek out brands that reinforce their presence and identity, what makes for successful hospitality - being warm yet discreet, accessible yet personalised, authentic yet exclusive - translates equally well into experiential retail. And this is why Eight has so much enjoyed helping to transform The Starhill into the destination for next-gen shoppers.”

About The Starhill

The Starhill – the Home of the Tastemakers, offers experiential retail in a warm and sophisticated boutique retail environment replete with style and aesthetics of true tastemakers. With four floors of experiential retail space and three upper floors of JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur hotel rooms seamlessly integrated as one vertical seven-floor development – a first in Asia that truly breaks down the boundary between retail and hospitality. The Starhill will be connected to over 1,100 rooms of JW Marriott and The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur. Highlights of the retail floors include luxury fashion, contemporary fashion, jewellery and timepieces, design galleries and lifestyle concepts complemented by cafes, lounges and restaurants including greenhouse-inspired culinary concepts in conservatories. The Starhill cements its place at the epicentre of Bukit Bintang, as the definitive lifestyle destination for discerning urbanites and travellers to enjoy best-of-class retail-hospitality experiences. The Starhill is a high-end retail asset owned by Starhill Global REIT listed in Singapore Exchange. 

Visit www.thestarhill.com.my for more information and follow social media platforms for #thestarhillkl.

Eight launches Odin Hills luxury alpine village in Japan

New exclusive residential mountain community in world-class Niseko

Hong Kong, December 6th, 2019 – Eight Partnership is today unveiling the new brand it has created for Odin Hills, an exclusive and private luxury residential village. Inspired by the scenic charm of traditional European ski resorts such as Verbier, Gstaad and Courchevel, Odin Hills is located in Hanazono, Niseko, Asia’s dynamic winter playground on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. 

Eight’s scope was comprehensive and included a broad range of assignments for this groundbreaking new project. Eight created the brand and visual identity, as well as associated CG imaging, website, brochures, publications and launch events. Eight’s space design team created the iconic architecture for the model residences, a central feature of the property project itself. 

Eight also conceptualized a vibrant print advertising campaign which launched in the December issue of Niseko’s Powderlife destination magazine, drawing from the iconic romance and glamour of vintage travel posters. The campaign imagery is created by renowned illustrator Mads Berg from Denmark.

The design-led Odin property brand offers investors a unique opportunity to join an exclusive mountain lifestyle community. The team behind some of Niseko’s most iconic properties has envisioned a 16-hectare Japanese-European style mountain village defined by privacy, mindful luxury and active, responsible living with sweeping views of Mount Yotei, the renowned volcanic summit in the area. Wellness and sustainability are key features of the project, as is an exclusive Odin Hills Owners Club designed with the needs of high net worth investors and their families in mind. Hanazono is one of the most dynamic, up-and-coming areas of Niseko – with the new Park Hyatt open for business and the Shinkansen bullet train connecting Niseko to the rest of Japan by 2030. Odin Hills itself is a mere five minutes from the train station and only 1 minute away from the Hanazono ski resort.

"We are very excited about launching this new Odin project,” says Eight Partner Bjorn Fjelddahl. "We have been involved with Odin since the very inception and have been able to gently nurture the brand over a number of years, through a number of different growth-stages. The brand is now maturing in tone, and becoming robust in scale. We wanted the brand to reflect this shift and have introduced a number of new initiatives to support this evolution.”

“For example, one of these projects was a brand collaboration with Monck skis in Poland, which produced a unique series of limited-edition custom powder skis used as part of the launch campaign,” continues Fjelddahl.

The launch sets off the start of a multi-year sales effort, which initially will run throughout the winter 2019/2020 and will include intensive sales activities on the ground in Niseko.

About Odin

Odin is a design-driven property brand devoted to “intelligent luxury,” a philosophy which focuses on the quality of the experience rather than the status value of a product. Odin strives to bring significant added value to their projects through innovative concepts, people-centric architecture, contemporary interior design and relevant product extensions including award-winning furniture. 

Odin pioneered the luxury real estate market in Niseko, Japan. The innovative brand has grown from its first luxury residence that set record prices for Hokkaido, to a portfolio of residential, retail (attracting brands such as Moncler and Burton) and hotel projects, as well as a number of dining and entertainment venues.

www.odinhills.com

Eight publishes “The Works 2019”

Release of anthology detailing Eight’s wide range of international branding and design projects

Hong Kong, November 25, 2019 – Eight Partnership presents their inaugural printed anthology of recent projects, “The Works 2019”. The 56 page book showcases twenty of Eight’s most recent projects, marking their collaborations with clients as varied as Hysan Development, Blackstone, Vinci Airports as well as Cathay Pacific across their entire range of expertise: from strategy, brand development and visual identity to interior design and signage through to content marketing and digital applications.

“We’ve been extraordinarily fortunate to be able to work with some of the most iconic brands across the globe with projects in 20 countries,” says Chris Fjelddahl, Partner. “And along the way, we’ve collaborated with some of the most interesting names in design: Bjarke Ingels, Tadao Ando, Thomas Heatherwick, Tony Chi and many others.”

The book also showcases Eight’s international experience with projects from Hong Kong, mainland China, Japan, South Korea and Indonesia, in line with their growing reputation both domestically and globally. “We’ve worked very hard and owe a huge debt of thanks to our clients,” adds Bjorn Fjelddahl. “They’ve enabled us to grow organically with the trust that they have placed in us, which has allowed us to execute such a variety of substantial projects at these levels.”

“The Works 2019” will be the first in a series of annual anthologies of Eight’s project work, with the next volume already scheduled to be released in October 2020.

Eight creates identity for Artisan Lounge at K11 MUSEA

Craftsmanship meets modernity at the “Artisanal Movement” - inspired coffee shop

Hong Kong, October 16, 2019 – Eight Partnership announced today the unveiling of the brand identity of Artisan Lounge, an upcoming café-cum-restaurant to be launched by CHI Coffee Concepts at K11 MUSEA, Victoria Dockside in Hong Kong. 

Artisan Lounge occupies a prominent location on the G/F of K11 MUSEA, looking out to the central atrium. Boasting an all-day high tea dining concept, Artisan Lounge is the perfect place to hang out at all hours of the day, whether taking a break from shopping, or indulging in the love of a handcrafted beverage. 

At the heart of Artisan Lounge’s philosophy is the appreciation of food and beverage as an art form, underpinned by artisanal products and craftsmanship of the highest quality. The idea is embodied through the use of the single standout letter ‘A’ in the icon, crafted in a bespoke, vintage-styled serif typeface, further matched with a distinctive deep red to evoke a sophisticated high-tea aesthetic.

“Design is indispensable to crafting an unforgettable gastronomic experience”, says Iain Richardson, Executive Creative Director at Eight. “We are pleased to partner with CHI Coffee Concept to elevate coffee and dining at Artisan Lounge into a crafted and curated experience, one that is born equally from The Artisan Movement and thus feels right at home at K11 MUSEA.”

About CHI Coffee Concept

Founded in 2015, CHI Coffee Concept Limited is a premium brand that engages in a diverse portfolio combining the triple elements of lifestyle, dining and F&B management. In tune with 21st century lifestyle and the respect for originality, CHI strives to search out unique artisanal products of the finest quality and craftsmanship. CHI Coffee Concept operates Artisan Room, a coffee shop that serves the community, as well as the premium all-day dining café Artisan Lounge at the newly-open K11 MUSEA.

Eight brands new hospitality group Heuie Cuiscene

Translating a passion for food into exceptional dining experiences

Hong Kong, September 24, 2019 – Eight Partnership has created the brand for Heuie Cuiscene, a newly established, Guangzhou-based hospitality and F&B group formed by a team of people united by a passion for food and hospitality.

Eight worked closely with the founding team to build the brand around a strategy of "Food Evangelists” - a company obsessed with spreading the love of food to both food-aficionados and the F&B industry, through the creation of world-class culinary concepts.

The company name “Heuie Cuiscene” depicts the joys of encounter, the whipping up of a vibrant scene of culinary passion and innovation, not just within the establishments the group operates, but acting as a changing force for the culinary scene in China and beyond. The logo takes inspiration from an egg, the symbol of the essential ingredient all chefs must master, with the three layers - yolk, white and shell - embodying three brand pillars that form the brand: “Passion”, “More than food” and “Do good”.

“We were most inspired by the enormous potential of the burgeoning culinary scene in China and the palpable passion exuding from our client team,” says Bjorn Fjelddahl, Partner. “It was a true collaborative effort, we brought our extensive experience in creating international luxury F&B and hospitality brands, the culinary trendsetters at Heuie Cuiscene brought their talent and enthusiasm and together we are proud to play a part in spearheading the appreciation of the art of gastronomy in China”.

Kan Chen, Executive Director and Co-founder of Heuie Cuiscene, remarked, “There is a Chinese saying for how Guangzhou is the capital of food lovers - and this is precisely why we are making the city our starting point, a place from which we will bring our love for food to the rest of China, and beyond. Eight has been a close partner whose strategic vision, deep knowledge of the hospitality sector and design expertise have been crucial in bringing our brand to life.”

About Heuie Cuiscene

Heuie Cuiscene is a F&B and hospitality brand created by a tight-knit team of people from diverse backgrounds, united by a passion for food, hospitality and the need to share it with the world. Combining their experience in F&B, hospitality and design, the team seeks to bring modern, exciting and experiential dining concepts to Guangzhou and China and contribute to the advancement of the F&B industry. The team is planning to open five fine-dining concepts over the next five years, starting with their first restaurant due to open in Guangzhou in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Eight creates new Shanghai workplace brand for Phoenix

City-centre business campus for people-centric businesses.

Hong Kong, September 17, 2019 – Eight Partnership recently completed a branding exercise for a new landmark mixed use development at the heart of Jing’an district, Shanghai. Taking inspiration from its close proximity to Shanghai Railway Station, One Financial Street Shanghai (1FS) delivers the rare combination of a lower-density, green, walkable and people-friendly office park with the urban vibe and energy of a central downtown location. To guide the creation of the new brand, Eight developed a strategy around “The Urban Business Station”.

1FS is a strategic partnership project between Financial Street Holdings and Phoenix Property Investors. With a GFA of approximately 71,000 sqm, 1FS is set to revitalise the area with exciting new economic, social and cultural opportunities.

1FS consists of four Grade A office buildings, including vibrant F&B and retail, set in over 10,000 sqm of open green space. It is currently under construction and is expected to be completed by Q1 2020. This project has been thoughtfully created by a team of world-class designers, Goettsch Partners, Brewin Design Office, Hassell Studio and B+H Architects, bringing the best possible work, dining and leisure experiences for tenants and customers. Eight worked closely with Phoenix Property Investors to develop a new brand for this landmark development. The brand and identity of 1FS were designed to reflect the aesthetics of this unique destination. The icon was crafted to reflect its position as an inspiring modern workplace, setting a new world-class standard for other developments in the district. “We are delighted to have been able to create this new identity for 1FS,” says Bjorn Fjelddahl, Partner. “It is a project that really encompasses what we believe to be the future of office spaces in Shanghai, and China as a whole: lower-density, walkable, people-centric with lots of green.”

About Phoenix Property Investors

Phoenix Property Investors is an experienced, independently-owned and managed private equity real estate investment group founded in 2002 with a proven track record of creating value and delivering results for its investors and stakeholders by investing in high-quality real estate in residential, retail, office and commercial sectors across 14 first-tier cities.

http://www.ppinvestors.com/

Eight brands Eden designed by Heatherwick Studio and developed by Swire Properties in Singapore

A brand identity that brings to life a Swire Properties residential project

Hong Kong, September 9, 2019 – Eight created the identity for Eden, Swire Properties’ first ultra-luxury residential project in Singapore. Located adjacent to the prestigious Tanglin Club at the highly sought-after District 10, Eden was designed by world-renowned Thomas Heatherwick of Heatherwick Studio.

Eight was tasked with creating a name and visual identity that complemented Heatherwick Studio’s first residential project in Asia, which is punctuated by iconic hanging balcony centrepieces featuring hand-picked tropical greenery. The name Eden is a meditation on the beginnings of life, reaching back to the story of the Garden of Eden itself. It is a metaphor for creation and abundance, deeply rooted in nature and inspired by Singapore’s vision of a “City in a Garden”.

The visual identity developed by Eight echoes this idea of growth and draws directly from the architectural facade of the project. The logo emulates the iconic lush balconies and shell shaped form, and is paired with a forward-thinking typeface marking the building as an icon for the future. The colour palette is inspired by lush foliage as well as the earthy tones of the project, conveying a premium and eco-conscious aesthetic.

Chris Fjelddahl, Partner, says, “While it’s a rare opportunity to design Swire Properties’ first residential brand in the nation, what makes it even more special is working with the Heatherwick Studio team, led by Thomas, to bring the concept of Eden – which represents natural unspoilt beauty – to life through immersive storytelling and visual design.”

About Swire Properties

Established in Hong Kong in 1972, Swire Properties is a leading developer, owner and operator of mixed-use, principally commercial properties in Hong Kong and Mainland China, with a well-established record of creating long-term value by transforming urban areas. Our business comprises three main areas: property investment, property trading and hotel investment.
 
The Company was listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in 2012 and, with its subsidiaries, employs more than 4,500 people.

www.swireproperties.com

Eight Capital Partners together with Derek Arculli and Yang Yu announces first JPY6.35B real estate project

Land acquisition earmarked for Japan leisure development property

Hong Kong, June 4, 2019 – Eight together with real estate investors Derek Arculli and Yang Yu today announced that its investment arm has successfully acquired land for its first real estate development project. The project is budgeted at JPY6.35B (approx. HK$450M/US$58M) as a first pool of capital to be deployed for creative and brand-led property acquisitions in Japan’s leisure and hospitality markets.

“After a year of mainly deploying our own equity across small deals, we’re thrilled to have now closed our first dedicated development project,” says director Nicolas Gontard of Eight Capital Partners. “We’ve been studying a number of exciting deals all across Japan – Kyoto, Okinawa, Nagano and Hokkaido – during the past year, and found many convincing reasons to start locking deals on the ground. We’ve now secured a first landmark deal in Niseko, Hokkaido."

“What is really driving us is to continue making projects of high creative value that raise people’s eyebrows and get them talking.” says fellow director of Eight Capital Partners, Chris Fjelddahl. “This is how we created the Odin brand in Niseko. By now it appears a lot of people around Asia’s metropolitan centres have experienced some of our projects - the restaurants, bars, retail, hotels, or residences.”

Odin was created by the Eight Capital Partners team in 2008, with a first development project the following year. Since then, the work has involved a number of developments and land deals which culminated in 2016 in the opening of an iconic retail building called Odin Place at the centre of Niseko, Hirafu. It hosts, among others, Moncler and Burton Snowboard stores.

“With Eight Capital Partners we’ve always had a vision of walking before we can run. We like taking things step-by-step. And if we do things fundamentally right, providing great quality and service, we believe growth will come,” adds Gontard.

About Eight Capital Partners

Eight Capital Partners is a private equity business spun off in 2018 from real-estate focused branding firm Eight Partnership. It is dedicated to creative real-estate transformations, often co-investing with developers, land-owners, and fund managers. Eight Partnership is an award-winning brand consultancy and brand design firm with experience on iconic projects in more than 20 countries across all asset classes - mixed-use, residential, resort, hospitality, retail, commercial, cultural, infrastructure and industrial. Clients include Blackstone, Mori Building, Swire Properties, Toyota, Xintiandi and more. Eight Capital is especially known for its successful Odin Properties project in Niseko, Hokkaido.

www.eightpartnership.com/eight-capital

Hysan takes Gold at Award Show with Eight’s Campaign

Hong Kong’s PR industry awards top honour to Hysan95 campaign created by Eight

Hong Kong, May 20, 2019 – Hysan Development won the Gold Award in the Brand Management category last Friday at the 4th Hong Kong Public Relations Awards for Hysan95, a documentary-style campaign that was created and executed by Eight Partnership. The city’s top public relations industry award ceremony was held at the JW Marriott Hotel, with the Chief Secretary of Hong Kong SAR, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, in attendance.

Hysan95 is a documentary project that features the people and places of Causeway Bay, the traditional home of Hysan. With photography, articles and video published on a dedicated website supported by social media as well as a larger than life exhibition at Lee Theatre Plaza, the project tells the story of the contrast and diversity of the area, documenting its history, its present and its future. It also cemented Hysan’s role, on its 95th anniversary, as a stakeholder not just in developing the future but also safeguarding the past of Causeway Bay, a district that is intricately linked with the history of the company itself.

“We are delighted to have been able to work with Hysan on a project that has a true impact on creating a sense of community, not just in Causeway Bay, but in Hong Kong as a whole,” says Bjorn Fjelddahl, Partner at Eight. “We were able to showcase Hysan’s unique vantage point as a witness to the changes in Causeway Bay over the years, and carve out a position for the company as a steward for changes to come. It’s an authentic campaign that really captures a charming, interesting and vibrant everyday reality.”

The project captivated a global audience and generated significant media attention, as well as increasing goodwill towards Hysan. “Eight has been a great partner to us throughout this journey, and we are excited to be able to share the success of this award with them,” says Mark Tung, General Manager at Hysan. The full project can be viewed on Facebook, Instagram and on the dedicated website, www.hysan95.com.


About Hysan Development

Hysan is a leading property investment, management and development company in Hong Kong, with a portfolio of more than 4 million square feet of high-quality office, retail and residential properties. Operating primarily in the city’s prime retail/office district of Causeway Bay, Hysan is focused on delighting customers and providing investors with outstanding returns.


http://www.hysan.com.hk/

Eight rebrands Zung Fu to appeal to a new generation of Mercedes-Benz owners

New visual identity and comprehensive advertising campaign to mark a new chapter for the luxury car retailer

Hong Kong, April 17, 2019 – Eight Partnership helped revitalise the Zung Fu brand through an updated visual identity and a comprehensive launch campaign for the rollout of its new Mercedes-Benz Brand Centre expanding the 65-year-old brand’s appeal to a new generation of car-lovers. 

Eight’s extensive experience in the modern luxury sector informed a respectful evolution of the brand’s logo and visual identity. “We were delighted to work so closely with Zung Fu on the next stage of their brand’s evolution,” says Chris Fjelddahl, Partner at Eight Partnership. “We really wanted to help them express their passion for their customers through this update.”

For the launch, Eight created a campaign around the tagline “More to Enjoy” demonstrating the brand’s commitment to customer satisfaction, consisting of a thematic video, key visuals and print advertisements. The video will be available both online and as a television advertisement, marking the launch as well as introducing the range of new after-sales services designed for customer convenience. The video is supported by a series of print advertisements developed by Eight to communicate the core messages of “Showroom Enjoyment”, “Family-Friendly” and “Convenience”, developed from a city-wide market research study. 

This rebrand is also timed with the launch of the new Mercedes-Benz Brand Centre on Hong Kong Island - the city’s largest car showroom - which demonstrates Zung Fu’s new commitment to customer convenience and enjoyment for the whole family. The 9-storey Brand Centre with over 440,000 square feet is the Hong Kong headquarter of Zung Fu Group, featuring the Mercedes-Benz Showroom, Service Centre, Central Parts Warehouse, Training Centre, Event Venue and Used Car Centre. The centre has been designed to give customers a more enjoyable experience with a large range of Mercedes-Benz vehicles available under one roof, a fully integrated after-sales service centre, as well as leisure facilities for the whole family such as the kids room, bistro and roof terrace. 

Aaron Lee, Managing Director of Zung Fu Hong Kong & Macau adds, “We’ve been very excited to introduce our new facilities and services for Hong Kong’s Mercedes-Benz owners and, with this launch campaign, Eight has really helped bring to life this new chapter for the brand.”

About Zung Fu

Zung Fu Company Limited is the exclusive retailer of Mercedes-Benz automobiles in Hong Kong and Macau, and expanding into Southern and Western China, operating Mercedes-Benz retail stores and service centres. Today, Mercedes-Benz’s share of the automotive market in Hong Kong is one of the highest for Mercedes-Benz worldwide. Zung Fu is a subsidiary of the Jardine Motors Group, which is a member of the Jardine Matheson Group.

www.zungfuexperience.com

Eight designs Somewhere Lombok

New resort brand for luxe nomads unveiled

Hong Kong, January 29, 2019 – Eight announced today the unveiling of Somewhere, a new and contemporary hospitality brand to be launched in Lombok, Indonesia. With a beach-chic vibe and a focus on wellness and wellbeing, the project is designed to deliver a special brand of natural and responsible hospitality.

The new resort is currently under development and is located on the beautiful south coast of the island overlooking a magnificent bay with a secret world-class surf break. 

The off-the-beaten-path location inspired the name which carries the promise of hidden gems that are worth seeking out around the world. This is further emphasised in the visual identity that makes use of vanishing letter-strokes, taking inspiration from footprints in the sand that are washed away by the sea. 

“We’re very excited about the birth of Somewhere,” says Valia Gontard, Co-Founder of Somewhere. “Eight is a close collaborator and design partner and their credentials in hospitality and eco chic design are invaluable in helping us bring to life our aspirations for the brand.”

About Somewhere

Somewhere is a lifestyle hospitality brand created by Claire & Valia Gontard. With their combined backgrounds in investment, events, travel and hospitality, the Franco-Chinese sisters united to bring to life their vision of a special destination for modern travellers. Embracing their Indonesian roots and heritage, the duo scouted the island of Lombok for many years in search of the perfect location for their first property.

www.somewherelombok.com

Eight announces private aviation partnership with HAECO PJS

Wide-ranging collaboration to focus on design and fitting out of private jet aircraft

Hong Kong, January 7, 2019 – Eight Partnership and HAECO Private Jet Solutions (“HAECO PJS”) today announced an alliance agreement focused on the private jet market. Under the terms of the collaborative partnership, Eight will manage a design front-office for private jet cabin interiors and exteriors, while HAECO PJS will perform the industrial design, engineering, certification, cabin completion and airframe maintenance.

The partnership between the two firms will initially focus on the private jet markets in the Greater Asia and Middle East regions. Demand in this segment has increased since the release of the BBJ MAX from Boeing and the ACJneo from Airbus, with both platforms now offering new engines capable of extended-range flights.

“We are very excited about this opportunity to combine our respective strengths in design and technical fulfillment of private jet cabins,” says Summit Chan, CEO of HAECO Xiamen. “Eight understands both the luxury market and the needs of private high-net-worth clients well, and has intimate knowledge of global design trends as well as the expectations of these sophisticated decision makers.”

“We couldn’t have dreamed of a better partner than HAECO”, says Chris Fjelddahl, Partner at Eight. “Their technical capabilities and resources are second-to-none, and they are already trusted by both Airbus and Boeing. Together, we hope to bring leading-edge design solutions to this demanding market.”

HAECO was founded in 1950 and is one of the world’s leading aircraft engineering and maintenance groups. With around 17,000 staff and 17 subsidiaries and affiliates. It operates HAECO PJS, the first and only Airbus-approved and Boeing-licensed cabin completion centre in Asia Pacific.

Eight completes rebrand of Blackstone-owned Seoul office building

Capital Tower renamed “Arc Place” and repositioned into next-gen workplace

Hong Kong, August 23, 2018 – Eight recently completed a full-scale rebrand of Capital Tower, a 24-story, 63,000 square meter Grade A office building in the affluent business and commercial district of Gangnam in Seoul, South Korea.

The newly repositioned building – “Arc Place” – was transformed into an inspiring modern workplace which can help lift tenancy and rental yield and contribute to the newfound vibrancy of the district, better meeting the needs of leading companies like Facebook, which houses its country headquarters in the building.

In 2016, Blackstone acquired Capital Tower and chose Eight to articulate a fresh brand strategy which could be woven into the physical spaces of the building. Eight crafted a strategy that married the warmth and style of a residential home or chic boutique hotel with the feel of a modern workplace, seamlessly blending work, life and play and creating a brand that appeals to both new-generation businesses and traditional corporate tenants.

The Arc Place brand and visual identity were extracted from the physical foundations of the building itself. The logo was designed to refer to structural arches visible within the building’s ground floor, with an elegant typeface to suggest stability and the building’s open and airy feel. The color palette was inspired by the materials used in the building’s interior design, in particular bronze, wood and marble. 

The new name and visual identity, including Eight’s designs for signage and way-finding, aim to position the building as a greatly upgraded workplace environment and a warm counterpoint to the surrounding traditional buildings, perfectly suited to the requirements of the new generation of workers and businesses in the buzzing district of Gangnam.

Eight creates brands for The Middle House in Shanghai

Swire Hotels engages Eight to create two restaurant brands

Hong Kong, July 24, 2018 - Swire Hotels engaged Eight to create two restaurant brands for The Middle House, their new hotel and residences in Shanghai. In particular, Eight created the name and visual identity for the Chinese restaurant and the visual identity for the hotel’s Italian restaurant. “Swire Hotels is one of the most design-focused hotel brands, especially in Asia, and we are delighted to work with them on these high-visibility projects,” says Chris Fjelddahl, Partner

Designed by Italian architect Piero Lissoni, The Middle House is Swire Hotel’s fourth property under The House Collective family and their sixth hotel in Asia. Its name is woven closely to its sister properties - The Upper House in Hong Kong, The Opposite House in Beijing and The Temple House in Chengdu. It also refers to the historic district of Dazhongli (大中里) where it is located.

For the Chinese restaurant, Eight developed the name Sui Tang Li (随堂里) which is a reference to the two dynasties, the Sui and the Tang, which marked a cultural peak in the history of China. In addition, the name has a connotation of ease and relaxation, which correlates with the atmosphere of a club. Eight then developed the visual identity, drawing inspiration from the signature spiral staircase designed by Lissoni that connects three levels within the building.

The name of the Italian restaurant, Frasca, which means ‘branch’ in Italian, refers to the concept of dining outdoors in vineyards. As a result, Eight developed a visual identity reminiscent of vines and leaves. The logo is a combination of symbols for a roof, a glass of wine and a platter. Eight also worked with Frasca to create collaterals for the restaurant, the interiors of which were designed by Italian stylist and creative consultant, Cristina Vignoli.

About Swire Hotels and Swire Restaurants

Swire Hotels has been created to manage soulfully individual hotels in Hong Kong, Mainland China and the USA, providing a characterful experience for well travelled individually minded travellers who seek originality, style and personalised service. We create distinctive hotels with a sense of place that break with convention.

The company’s first hotel, The Opposite House in Beijing, opened in 2008 and was followed by The Upper House, Hong Kong, and then by EAST, Hong Kong, EAST, Beijing, The Temple House, Chengdu and EAST, Miami. The Middle House in Shanghai opened in April 2018.

A restaurant division was set up in 2013 to manage the company’s stand-alone restaurant operations. Our first restaurant Plat du Jour opened in November 2013 followed by Public and Ground Public in Quarry Bay. The Continental in Pacific Place opened in October 2014 and Mr & Mrs Fox in 2015, follow by the second Plat du Jour opened in Pacific Place in 2016. Our latest addition, Republic, a sub-brand of Public opened in Taikoo Place in December 2017.

www.swirehotels.com

Hysan95 launches to celebrate Causeway Bay

Eight writes stories and creates multi-media community engagement platform

Hong Kong, July 10, 2018 – Eight Partnership collaborated with Hysan to create Hysan95, a documentary initiative featuring the people and places of Causeway Bay. The stories of Hysan95 appear on a dedicated multi-media platform, social media and in a larger than life exhibition at Lee Theatre Plaza until July 12.

The year-long project began when Hysan Development wanted to celebrate its historical relationship with Causeway Bay in the 95th anniversary of the year Lee Hysan acquired Jardine’s Hill. Since then, the area has become one of the most prominent and significant parts of Causeway Bay, and arguably one of the most well-known in Hong Kong. The Hysan95 platform weaves the stories of the district’s past, present and future together to celebrate the neighbourhood and its real, colourful characters.

“As a long-time fan of the district, this project has allowed all of us to better appreciate and understand the community in a way that also lets us bring these stories alive for others,” says Elaine Yeung, Account Director at Eight.

“Hysan has been instrumental in the district’s progress,” says Louise Wong, Creative Director and Head of Content at Eight. “As a witness to the changes over the years, Hysan shares many of the memories that the people of Causeway Bay also cherish - its vibrancy, energy, excitement are a true representation of Hong Kong.”

Eight will develop 95 stories for the project, overseeing the creative, editorial, photography and design direction to ensure it reflects the diversity of the community. Eight worked with young photography talents Nikki Li and Vivian Liu on the series of portraits, urban landscapes and street snaps.

The stories can be seen on Facebook, Instagram and on the dedicated website (http://www.hysan95.com/).