Tony H.W. Wong

Tony H.W. Wong, a former general manager of Xintiandi and president of Lifestyle Consulting (Shanghai) Ltd, which initiated the Bridge 8 project last April, says his company has rejected companies whose work is not related to design or art when selecting tenants. The rental charges hold some advantage against other first-rate office buildings in the downtown area.Wong says the rents are nearly 40 percent below those in Plaza 66 on Nanjing Road W. (which are about US$1 per day per square meter) while offering services that are worth far more than what is being paid. "Our air-conditioning can be different from room to room so that tenants can adjust the temperature to suit their own comfort," Wong says."Unlike most office buildings, we provide air-con 24 hours a day and people can have access to their offices at any time in case a designer or architect needs to work overnight.You know, for these people, inspiration can come at any time.As well, we have a cafe, a French restaurant, Japanese food and even a foot massage parlor downstairs where people can hang out and relax." Tenants in Bridge 8 fall into five categories: architecture consultancies, public relations and advertising, graphic and product design, film studios and shops. Wong believes that the cluster of different types of artists will spark more creativity."They may get to know each other through a chat over a cup of coffee downstairs.Or designers can interact and brainstorm ideas with one another," he says.
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Now that the concept has been well-accepted, Wong is starting on the second phase of the project.He has bought a dilapidated factory opposite Bridge 8 and intends to turn it into another design center.It covers 6,000 square meters and will be completed by the end of the year."China is now regarded as the world's factory.It's seen as a country with a stunning manufacturing capability but with not enough creativity," says Wong.