VOL Story

Shanghai is a city in constant flux.  Throughout the city buildings rise and fall and neighborhoods change as Shanghai continues its development.
Visual Orient Limited (VOL) is a company at home in this climate of change, managing some of its finest properties and venues.

VOL was established in the early 2002 in the historically central area of the Bund.  Possessing a strong combination of professional expertise and good corporate ethics, VOL provides unsurpassed managerial expertise in the hospitality industry, combined with superlative Shanghai market analysis and branding awareness.  We believe in providing the client with both the best possible service, and the best value.

In September 2002,
VOL was honored with its most important charge, when it was granted the right to participate the project in Bund 18, one of the Colonial-era heritage buildings on the Bund.  This, to a firm with a work-team that boasts many years of five-star hotel management experience, was a once in a lifetime chance to truly show what they could do.   So with great enthusiasm and will, the VOL team set out to create an unparalleled venue on the Bund.

It is the year of 2004 when VOL launched its flagship projects, Chinese and French restaurants on the 5th and 6th floors, and a spectacular bar on the 7th.  Both restaurants have carved out reputations as the top-notch destinations, and Bar Rouge is legendary for its hot music, classy clientele, and the-one-and-the-only balcony with its breathtaking view across the Huangpu River. 

Tan Wai Lou, the nouveau-Cantonese restaurant on the 5th floor serves modern Cantonese and Chinese cuisine, accented with appetizers from the southern Yangtze area and complimented by a sushi bar.  Through its philosophy of presenting purity of concept blended with impeccable service within a beautiful setting, Tan Wai Lou aims to be the benchmark of Chinese fine dining. 

At the 6th floor, Mr & Mrs Bund – Modern Eatery by Paul Pairet, is a combination of chic environment, original concept and quality cuisine. Since the opening in April 2009 by VOL and the internationally renowned Chef Paul Pairet, with Mr & Mrs Bund they train their focus on something more difficult than either conceptual fine dining or landmark nightspots: simplicity. This restaurant is about popular food – French at its very core, international around the edges – served family-style, in a manner recast for the modern table.

In addition to the classic styling of the restaurants, Bar Rouge on the 7th floor is cutting edge, the heart of the night in Shanghai.   Here, the concept is to “see and be seen” in an eye-catching arena for indulgence and mingling.   The interior is intimate, the balcony exquisitely themed, and the music always hot and trendy.  The bartenders turn pouring drinks into an art form, and the DJs flock from around the world.  

In March 2010 VOL presented to Shanghai a new clubbing experience - GAME★BLING - Entertaining & Clubbing. Its design is inspired by clubs lovers and addicts, bringing a new tone in Shanghai nightlife, creating a unique and tailor made drinking games that excite the guests to play & interact with friends. GAME★BLING is all about clubbing, drinks, fun games, music & it’s unique tailor made performances.

Stay Tuned
Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet, late fall 2010
A single table of ten seats only, a 20-course "Avant-Garde" set menu.
Dinner unfolds as a sensory play choreographed by Chef Paul Pairet and the Ultraviolet Team. Ultraviolet is the first experimental restaurant of its kind.

VOL and its associated companies in the VOL Group have been creating new benchmarks for hospitality and entertainment, and set both a challenge and example the trade.  The working group is experienced, confident and motivated, and believes that the work they doing, and the principles they abide by, are setting a good precedent for the future.