Places Made of People
When people think about property development, they think of buildings, concrete and that drilling sound we hear all over Shanghai.
At ANKEN, we have a different definition. It’s not about square meters that will become rent, not about reducing costs at any cost and not about compromising stability for a quick killing. We’re about communities, service, design, neighbourhoods, sustainability and quality of life. And the one thing that connects them all, is . . . People
People thriving on connections to grow their businesses together. People who appreciate clean air and low carbon footprint. People designing architecture prioritizing human needs. People welcoming guests with a smile and taking care of their needs. People who care about health and well-being. People living around us being influenced by what we do.
Discover below, the stories behind some of the people and businesses that make each ANKEN property so unique.
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DENTREE
Jerome Canovas, Brand and Commercial Director Remy Cointreau
“We applied ourselves to the concept of ‘expect the unexpected’ while rolling out DENTREE.‘’
As a company, Rémy Cointreau has set up ambitious CSR KPIs. We were looking for a way to demonstrate these commitments to the end consumer, and that’s how the idea of opening a bar happened. DENTREE takes its name from the ‘den tree’ — a large tree that serves as a hidden oasis within the bustling city, where people and nature come to rest, connect, and grow together.
As the first, officially certified carbon neutral bar in China, DENTREE demonstrates Rémy Cointreau’s commitment to ‘Terroir, People and Time’. Sustainability is at the core of its philosophy, from the selection of the construction materials to the conception of the drinks and the targeted zero waste when it comes to ingredients.
Sustainability and carbon neutrality were at the heart of the project from the very beginning, allowing us to achieve almost 50% of circularity (VS 5% for industry average). We managed to overcome the challenges thanks to the dedication and resilience of everyone involved, from the designers of the place to the contractors who sourced eco-friendly or low carbon print materials, and the team who runs it!
At the beginning when we started to look for a location, we searched many places and eventually chose ANKEN Air. It gave me the right feeling as well as positioning for DENTREE as a pioneering bar of sustainability and the future. I knew this was the place.
ANKEN Air is an oasis hidden within the neighborhood, it echoes the notion of DENTREE as a large tree that serves and nourishes the community. As a unique bar of sustainability in Shanghai, our goal is to build DENTREE as an urban destination to attract like-minded people.
ANKEN Air has a great community and being part of a creative space is a big plus for us, these are the forward-thinking people that we are targeting. There are numerous residents that are regulars, and it really feels like a natural fit. Yes, it is not in a bar street with high traffic, making us work smarter to make DENTREE a destination.
We are very happy about increasing traffic numbers since spring. It is so busy on the weekend that patrons must wait to get a table. We are proud to count around 20% regulars, and most of our clients are below 30 years old. So, our CSR messages are reaching the younger generation.
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REHAU
Advanced Polymer Solutions
“75 years of enhancing lives.”
REHAU, a family-owned enterprise from Germany, has been rooted in China’s dynamic market for many years, serving Chinese families with innovative polymer solutions. Committed to “Engineering progress, enhancing lives,” REHAU offers products in edge bands, underfloor heating, plumbing systems, high-end doors and windows, custom door panels, wastewater treatment, and industrial products. In 2021, REHAU expanded its horizons with New Venture, launching the unique wall decoration product WONDERWALL.
Alongside our rich product portfolio and customer-centric approach, sustainability is at the core of REHAU’s operations. We integrate environmental protection with business development, viewing it not as a trend but as our corporate social responsibility. By prioritizing long-term perspectives and green practices, we ensure sustainable growth while contributing to a better planet. Our advanced polymer technology, such as using recyclable materials in high-performance doors and windows, embodies this commitment from production to end product.
Recognizing our products’ impact on people’s lives, we strategically relocated our Shanghai office downtown to better connect with and understand our consumers’ needs. ANKEN Air was the natural choice for our new office location, aligning perfectly with our sustainable business philosophy. Recyclable materials breathe new life into old industrial buildings, while a sky garden brings a touch of nature, blending work and life seamlessly. The addition of a fresh air system ensures a refreshing and healthy environment for all staff.
Choosing ANKEN Air wasn’t just about location; we integrated REHAU’s furniture panels, office furniture, and heating systems to create an ideal workspace. Our marketing, R&D, procurement, and sales teams are now under one roof, enhancing communication and collaboration.
With 75 years of enhancing lives, REHAU welcomes you to ANKEN Air in Shanghai. Come visit us, explore our products, and join us in shaping a better future through innovation and collaboration.
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UPGREATED
James Hu, Co-Founder
“Design is interconnected. I want to use my brand as a medium to share with others.”
In 2020, UPGREATED was conceived from the idea of turning ‘GRADE’ into ‘GREAT,’ and our journey has been nothing short of transformative. Our tagline, “UP TO THE GREATEST,” embodies our brand’s visionary spirit and unwavering self-motivation.
As a fresh and innovative fashion brand, we’re on a mission to unearth the beauty of oriental culture and infuse architectural aesthetics into our designs. With a curious mindset, we see clothing as a canvas to express an adventurous lifestyle and a go-getter’s attitude towards life.
I grew up in the heart of Chang Ning District’s Zhongshan Park area, and this deep connection with the neighbourhood played a pivotal role in choosing our studio space. After exploring various options, a friend’s recommendation led me to ANKEN Air, nestled just off Zhenning Rd.
ANKEN Air is more than just a place to work; it’s a thriving community. Since our move in 2022, we’ve built meaningful connections here. Surrounded by dynamic media companies that embrace fresh and trendy brands, we regularly collaborate on exciting brand events. Our neighbours, including NEIWAI and ENERGY, have been incredibly supportive. Our camaraderie extends beyond the workspace, whether it’s our friends at DENTREE downstairs or the folks at Passion Wines next door.
ANKEN has been a cornerstone in our journey, fostering a collaborative community across their properties in Shanghai. Together, we’re tightly knit, shaping a collective future.
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Studio Nowhere
Creative & Design Studio
“NO WHERE OR NOW HERE? The name of our studio was the beginning of an interesting discussion and association.”
From London to Shanghai, we incorporate the power of technology based on artistic inspiration and creativity into new works presented to the public in an open and interactive state, in direct dialogue with the public through the practice of the product. NOWHERE is a creative and design studio engaged in the artistic exploration of new media and digital interaction. Through innovative artwork, we bring new cultural relevance to brands and new business value to our clients. We have cooperated with clients such as Nike and Cartier…
NOWHERE’s first art product – CUBE, was a sound installation, a handmade, white, raw cement cube that evokes sounds of a primitive forest. We took a raw material and injected technology into the art to present it to the public, creating an association of unfinished business.
In choosing our office space, we were looking to continue our style; open space, high quality layout, natural colours. These seem to be simple but actually need to be well thought-out.
The first time I visited ANKEN Access, the aromatherapy in the washroom, the art installations on the walls, the neatly organized signage, all the seemingly unintentional details, have been well-designed.
Since we moved in in 2020 we have met like-minded people in this big community and we have gained a pleasant and relaxing office atmosphere. The various activities organized by ANKEN on a regular basis, such as the rooftop padel court and the warm and caring property management make us feel that ANKEN is a big family and that we are all tightly knit together.
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SkyFarm Urban Farming
Kylie, Community Leader
“I just wanted to get my hands in the soil and get involved with nature!”
Eight years ago, I connected with SkyFarm when searching for a gardening community. They had a project at the top of ANKEN Green that had gone wild, and they asked if I wanted to bring it back to life!
When I arrived at ANKEN Green, I was in for a shock. ANKEN already farmed half, and it was beautiful, but SkyFarm’s half was out of control. It had to be completely re-done. I didn’t know where to start, but ANKEN were a pillar of support. Thanks to them, I learned how to run an urban garden.
For eight years, SkyFarm has been my passion project. We’re at ANKEN Air now, and there are nine of us volunteering. We’ve evolved together. We’re much more efficient, and we work smart. It’s so fulfilling to garden with a community of like-minded people. I’ll always be grateful to Alex and ANKEN for helping us do what we do.
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YongPu Coffee
Jin Qu, Brand Manager
“We feel free here.”
YongPu was born in 2014, with the hope of making it easy for everyone who loves life to have a good cup of coffee. We launched a new concept and mascot in 2019, Shi Duanzheng, our guardian stone lion. It may sound childish, but everyone still has a little bit of fear in life and is in need of a corner to be protected and listened to.
As a start-up company, we are relatively young and full of energy. We needed a space for our team that gave us room to grow, physically and creatively.
YongPu was previously located in the nearby historic Yuyuan Road. A friend recommended ANKEN and after we saw the environment for ourselves, we were determined to choose ANKEN.
When we moved to the ANKEN Air family in 2020, we realized this would be a great place for like-minded people. It is welcoming towards pets and has a lot of open public spaces where we love skateboarding at lunchtimes; we feel free here.
ANKEN as a community has created a utopian atmosphere for us, both property and neighbours are very respectful of each other, and the experience is great… We’re connected like family.
We need to partner with like-minded companies that share our values, whether in brand co-branding or choosing office locations for our employees. The humanistic care of ANKEN, the brand concept, and the open and free community environment of ANKEN buildings are very compatible with our concept, progress together, build together, grow together!
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Aboro Academy
Michele Aboro, Former Boxing & Kickboxing World Champion & Masca Yuen, Co-Founders
“Do it with a punch and go for the impossible challenges.”
We opened Aboro Boxing Gym in Shanghai in the early 2000s when there was no investment in sports. Our vision was to create a community around boxing. Boxing is so ‘one’, so holistic. We wanted to offer people the kind of holistic training that could change their lives.
ANKEN’s co-founders, Alex and David, were crazy enough to go with our concept! We didn’t know anything about running a fitness business, and Michele was in recovery from stage 3 cancer. So, there were a few challenges!
ANKEN were the matchmakers – they created a space by putting the right people together. They didn’t just give us a space; they cared about us. Ten years on, we’re still disrupting the fitness industry and changing people’s lives.
Shanghai’s fitness industry is going through a period of evolution. Now, people are becoming more aware of this holistic approach to health and fitness.
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BEIYU Studio
Wedding Photography
“Stories happen here and are recorded by us.”
From a single store in 2011 to having a presence in over 15 cities, BEIYU has served hundreds of thousands of couples, using photography to reflect the diverse range of emotions and perspectives that life encompasses. BEIYU specialises in capturing precious moments within a limited shooting period to authentically portray the journey of love through the art of the lens.
As an entrepreneurial company, BEIYU never stops at just a single wedding photo shoot. We insist on in-depth research and development in the field of original photographic art. Our collaborations extend to shooting celebrity covers for renowned magazines such as YOKA.com and ELLE, cross-border partnerships with brands such as Tadao Ando’s Beijing Youth Exhibition, VERA WANG HAUTE and ziroom.com, and photographic printing services for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics.
When selecting a studio space, we have also remained true to our brand ethos of “simplicity and elegance”. After extensive research and site visits, we ultimately chose ANKEN Avenue as our location in Shanghai. The distinctive red building, which exudes a sense of timelessness, pays meticulous attention to every detail, embodying the magical essence of Shanghai in its space.
We have met partners in this big community, gained a warm and welcoming office atmosphere, and the numerous customers who have come to shoot their stories here have expressed their love for the environment of the environment.
Like ANKEN, BEIYU possesses its own unique philosophy and sentiment. Through the lens, we capture natural beauty, creating a timeless “new” romance that will endure for years to come.
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Paustian Furniture
Trine Westergaard, Former Managing Director
“Change takes time, it doesn’t happen overnight.”
ANKEN Green always felt like a piece of Copenhagen in Shanghai. It was whitewashed, modernist, and industrial. There were striking design similarities to our Jorn Utzon designed HQ back home.
When we met Alex and David, we discussed our vision. Having a sense of community was vital. ANKEN are selective about their tenants because everyone must fit into the family. They care about how people come together and created a community that facilitated connection.
We were blessed to find people whose values aligned with our products and with whom we could share a mission. Both Paustian and ANKEN look to create long-lasting positive change. In 2010, students came from Denmark to see Shanghai’s commercial and industrial activity. Back in Denmark, they reported on what they saw. Paustian inspired other Danish companies to launch in China.
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Factory 5 Bike Shop
Drew Bates, Co-Founder
“We started a movement.”
“Factory 5 was born in 2010 because we needed a hub for organized bike riding activities. It started with a few friends meeting in cafes and riding fixies.
Later, we found our own space, and things launched from there. Our first location was a club house. You could attend community events and buy stuff for bikes. Community was always important to us. Back then, we were the only group of people riding fixies, so we stuck together.
When we moved to ANKEN Life in 2013, we knew it would be a great place to bring in like-minded individuals. It was a good customer base and all-around great location to grow our community.
As a retailer, we had to decide between having a storefront vs. having a community. Joining ANKEN Life made sense for us. They had events attracting huge crowds at least once a month. People who weren’t initially interested in bikes would wander in and end up riding a bike home.
We stayed in ANKEN Life until a competitor bought us out in 2017.
Factory 5 was a fantastic grassroots standalone, but Shanghai doesn’t need Factory 5 anymore! The fixie scene has matured, and plenty of bike shops are around. In the end, we started a movement – that means something.
