New York hospitality company Altamarea Group will introduce its Marea signature concept restaurant to Shanghai early next year, in the Plaza 66 complex on West Nanjing Road.

“While different cultures there is a natural connection,” says Altamarea Group CEO Ahmass Fakahany. “We will embrace the similarities and equally respect the differences as we meet client expectations.”

Altamarea already has a foothold in Asia with the Al Molo restaurant in Hong Kong (pictured), which opened in 2011. The group is working with partners and designers in Hong Kong and Taipei to strike the right balance between east and west for the 5000sqft (465sqm) restaurant. It will seat 85 diners and include three private rooms.  

Multi-Michelin-Star chef Michael White will be joined by Paul Downie, who will relocate to Shanghai to be GM for the restaurant. He was previously GM at both Heston Blumenthal’s two-Michelin-Star Dinner in London and three-Michelin-Star Eleven Madison Park in New York.

Next to the third-floor restaurant and extending to the fourth floor via a spiral staircase will be a new, more casual dining concept from Altamarea Group. Including a cocktail lounge, Club W by Marea is being developed only for the local market.