Starbucks China opens first coffee outlet made of containers
In this article (4)
Starbucks has just unveiled a new concept store in China created inside six repurposed shipping containers.
An identical concept, created by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, first appeared in Taiwan. As the 800th store in Shanghai, the Starbucks container store helped set a new record for the city – it has more Starbucks stores than any other city in the world.
The cafe is located at Shanghai’s Wisdom Bay Science Innovation Park, on space which was formerly home to warehouses and container storage yards.
Today, the area has been gentrified, converting abandoned cargo containers into office spaces as well has housed the nation’s first museum of 3D printing.
Elements of the Silicon Valley-esque structure have also been replicated inside the store to create ‘cultural coffee experiences’, an art gallery and a wall installation art piece created by a 3D printer.
Questions & Answers
Q.Is this the first time Starbucks has used a shipping container concept for a store?
Is this the first time Starbucks has used a shipping container concept for a store?
No, an identical concept designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma first appeared in Taiwan. This Shanghai outlet is a replication of that earlier design, not the very first time Starbucks has used repurposed containers.
Q.What is notable about Shanghai in terms of Starbucks' global presence?
What is notable about Shanghai in terms of Starbucks' global presence?
The new container store is the 800th Starbucks in Shanghai, setting a new record. This means Shanghai now has more Starbucks stores than any other city worldwide, indicating a significant market for the company.
Q.What was the previous use of the area where the new Starbucks store is located?
What was the previous use of the area where the new Starbucks store is located?
The cafe is situated at Shanghai's Wisdom Bay Science Innovation Park, on land previously occupied by warehouses and container storage yards. The area has since undergone gentrification, repurposing old cargo containers.