Capella’s Evan Kwee on driving the hotel group’s global expansion through authentic connections

Point of view

The partners the group collaborates with must also have a holistic understanding of how spaces shape experiences, Kwee notes—going beyond aesthetics to consider how guests will feel within and interact with each environment. Few embody this philosophy more than the namesake founder of interior design practice André Fu Studio. “A lot of my work is about celebrating cultural nuances,” Fu tells us when we meet in Taipei. The design of the 86‑key Capella Taipei reflects his personal journey of discovering the city and its neighbourhoods. He recalls: “Back in 2020, when I was invited to work on the project, I remember being driven from the airport along the tree‑lined Dunhua North Road. I was immediately captivated by the poetry of those lush, century‑old trees—they evoked a sense of serenity, a sudden departure from the bustle of the city.”

Read more: André Fu reflects on a glittering career as a top architect

Fu also notes that it is quite rare for hotels to have ground-floor spaces these days, but Capella Taipei is an exception. “For a lot of the hotels, you arrive at a small lobby and go up to a higher level,” he says. “[With Capella Taipei], there was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate this feeling of intimacy and warmth being expressed through the narrative of a modern mansion.” He shares that he brought to life this vision—a seamless blend of refined luxury and Taipei’s rich cultural heritage—by “carving the space into a series of intimate salons, each one with its own persona”.

From the stunning tapestry by Taiwanese artist Lee Chen‑Lin that captures the lyrical beauty of Taiwan’s landscapes to a console table at the hotel’s entrance showcasing a curated collection of objets d’art crafted by local artisans, a striking mural featuring Taiwan blue magpies by French artist Elsa Rameau in the Plume lobby lounge and the sweeping views of the Taipei 101 skyscraper from the Capella Suite, every detail at the hotel pays homage to the city’s vibrant spirit. The design also integrates elements from British luxury interiors artisan De Gournay and lifestyle brand André Fu Living.

“Sometimes, when you think of a mansion, it’s [such] a vast space where the person feels almost disproportionate to it,” Fu says. “But here, it’s much more human‑centric. There’s certainly a sense of opulence in the expression, but it’s refined—focused on intimacy and the personalised experiences today’s high‑end traveller seeks. That feeling of quiet luxury comes through in the materials, the detailing, the intricacies of art and craftsmanship—all thoughtfully interwoven to shape the experience.”

Capella Taipei marks the Capella Hotel Group’s second collaboration with Fu, following his work on the refurbishment of Capella Singapore in 2021. “What I value most about working with André is the creative dialogue. We challenge each other’s thinking and through that process, the vision becomes richer and more nuanced,” Kwee says. “André intuitively grasps the concept of luxury—it’s about subtlety, craftsmanship and creating moments of unexpected beauty.”

Read more: Capella Singapore debuts renovated villas and hotel rooms designed by André Fu Studio

This philosophy manifests in the spiral staircase at Capella Taipei’s rotunda, composed of 800 blocks of wood, each painstakingly assembled by hand by master artisans. “This architectural feature reflects our shared belief that true luxury lies in the dedication to craft and the stories embedded within each design element,” says Kwee. “Our partnership transcends the transactional nature of typical designer‑client relationships and becomes a genuine collaboration where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

Fu, who has designed for some of the world’s most renowned hospitality brands, including Villa La Coste in Provence, Hong Kong’s The Upper House and St Regis Hong Kong, as well as signature suites in Claridge’s and The Berkeley hotels in London, echoes that sentiment.

“Evan represents a new generation of hoteliers,” he says. “Working with him feels like collaborating with a friend. There’s a deep sense of trust and mutual respect—and within that, we’re constantly pushing each other to take the project to greater heights.”

Read more: Love the luxury hotel aesthetic? Take a cue from designer du jour André Fu

Authentic connections

After more than two decades in the business, Kwee recalls a few personal journeys that have shaped his vision of hospitality, each one contributing a unique perspective to his approach today. “My cross‑country road trip across America revealed the extraordinary diversity within a single country. From bustling cities to the serene countryside, each stop along the way offered a new perspective on the American landscape and its people,” he shares. Luxury took on a different meaning during his African safaris. “The breathtaking views, untamed wildlife and sense of adventure epitomised a different kind of luxury, one deeply rooted in the natural world. Staying in semi‑permanent tented camps on vast plains, I learnt that true opulence is often found in the raw, untouched beauty of nature.”

Finally, expedition yachting in the Flores Sea in Indonesia connected these insights to a greater purpose. “Witnessing both vibrant coral reefs and areas devastated by climate change instilled a sense of responsibility and urgency to protect these natural treasures. This experience cemented my belief that exceptional hospitality must embrace environmental stewardship—we’re not just hosts to our guests, but [also] custodians of the destinations we invite them to experience,” he expounds.

But what runs deepest for Kwee is “my personal connection to each property we create”, he says. “I won’t develop a hotel unless it’s [located] somewhere I genuinely want to stay [at] myself. This intuitive, first‑person approach to hospitality means I’m constantly asking: ‘Would I enjoy this experience? Would this design delight me? Would this service touch me?’” He believes that this personal investment fosters an authenticity that guests can truly feel. “That authenticity comes from simplicity and focus—we’re not chasing trends or trying to be everything to everyone.” Instead, the Capella Hotel Group stays true to a set of core principles that guide every property it creates.

“Ultimately, I see myself as a custodian of our family’s legacy—responsible for preserving what’s valuable from the past while ensuring its relevance for the future,” Kwee says. “From my father and uncle, I inherited an appreciation for architectural integrity and attention to detail. From my mother’s multicultural background, I gained perspective on how hospitality translates across different cultures.”

It is a mindset that places the third generation of the Kwee family in strong stead—especially now, following a major leadership transition at Pontiac Land Group, which was founded by his grandfather, Henry Kwee, more than 60 years ago. In May last year, the four sons of the company’s late founder stepped down from the board of the privately held group. Among them was Kwee’s father, Kwee Liong Tek, who relinquished his role as chairman, with former Enterprise Singapore chairman Peter Ong taking over the position. Kwee’s uncles, meanwhile, ceded their board positions to the family’s third generation.

“When my cousins and I joined Pontiac Land Group, we embraced the opportunity to expand globally while staying true to the company’s core values. In under a decade, we’ve transformed from a primarily Singapore‑focused business to one with a significant international presence,” says Kwee. “The most fulfilling part of this journey has been witnessing how our properties become integrated into their communities. Whether it’s Capella Sydney becoming a cultural landmark and deeply loved by the local community, or Patina Maldives pioneering new approaches to sustainable luxury, seeing our vision materialise in ways that benefit both guests and local communities brings profound satisfaction.” 

This is why, when contemplating the future of luxury hospitality, Kwee says, “I’m particularly drawn to the concept of ‘legacy luxury’, which perfectly captures what we’re creating across both our Capella and Patina brands. This isn’t about fleeting indulgence, but about crafting experiences that become meaningful chapters in our guests’ life stories.” While the Capella brand embodies this through timeless refinement and deep cultural immersion, Patina offers a more progressive take—a design‑forward, contemporary interpretation of legacy creation. This shift, Kwee reflects, marks the most profound evolution in luxury: from possession to legacy, from consumption to contribution.

The long‑term vision of Capella Hotel Group is anchored in this commitment to quality over quantity. “We’re focused on creating properties that become landmarks in their destinations rather than rapidly scaling our portfolio at the expense of distinctiveness,” says Kwee. The group will be venturing into South Korea with Capella Residences Seoul, set to open in 2027, to address the growing demand for luxury properties that offer both the privacy of a home and the services of bespoke luxury.

When it comes to new destinations, the Capella Hotel Group’s immediate focus is on carefully selected locations across Asia, the Middle East and Europe. “We’re thrilled about our 2027 debut in Europe with Capella Florence, which will showcase our ability to honour Renaissance heritage while introducing contemporary luxury elements,” Kwee shares. Beyond this, the group is also exploring opportunities in the Americas that align with its vision of properties with distinctive character and cultural depth.

These developments reflect Capella Hotel Group’s ambition to be more than just a hospitality company, Kwee says. “We want our brands to inspire guests to see the world from new perspectives, creating immersive experiences that resonate deeply with every individual while supporting the communities we serve.”

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