"Restoring China’s Old Beijing"

In correlation with Brahm’s Himalayan Consensus theory of supporting ethnic diversity and cultural sustainable development, his experience of protecting heritage architecture as a foundation for ethnicity and culture began in 1995. Infuriated by the massive destruction of ancient sections of Beijing in the name of development, Brahm began his own program of restoring historic buildings. He started by restoring the courtyard house that is still his office in Beijing. Then came other heritage courtyard restorations that became the Red Capital Club (1999) and Residence (2001) concept in the city. The concept evolved from his desire to preserve Beijing’s architecturally unique courtyard houses. Red Capital Residence was awarded "The world’s fifty most romantic hotels" by Travel and Leisure and "101 best hotels in the world" by Abecrombie and Kent.

Brahm’s attempt to preserve neighborhoods through grassroots efforts includes acquiring old courtyard houses and bringing craftsmen out of retirement and putting them to work restoring the buildings. Through these efforts, combined with extensive lobbying of the municipal government, Brahm managed to preserve an entire neighborhood in what little remained of Beijing’s old city. It is one of only several authentic historic neighborhoods remaining in China’s capital today.

Brahm then extended the concept to a natural mountain reserve along the Great Wall outside Beijing. The area had originally been slated for flooding and development by local authorities seeking to create a poor imitation of a Disney - style water park, which would have guaranteed the total destruction of one of Beijing’s last environmentally sound rural areas. Using the preservation model of architectural space being kept to a minimum in relation to nature, Brahm created a barely visible, traditionally designed village tucked into the mountainside. The construction had the comfort of modern amenities, but was built using ancient wood and bricks salvaged from sites where the city government was knocking down the capital’s heritage structures.

Staffed by ethnic Tibetans working under our own affirmative action program, Red Capital Ranch at the Great Wall (an intentionally cheeky name) is Beijing’s first eco–tourism lodge. As a result of this project, large tracts of open natural mountain landscape and vulnerable areas of the Great Wall have been protected from the locally insensitive, abrasive approaches to tourism development that have already ruined many parts of the city.

For more information see - www.redcapitalclub.com.cn

PRAISE FOR RED CAPITAL CLUB

"...Romantized notion of China at the cusp of revolution and turned it into a luxury - entertainment brand that appeals not only to visiting foreigners with a sense of ironybut also to young Chinese andold generals nostalgic for the early days when life seemed simpler. Both the hotel and restaurant are usually packed." ⎯ Time

"It's easy to feel nostalgic at beijing's Red Capital Club. Communist manifestos cram shelves, photos of the Chairman and Politburo pals pack walls, and the seating is in stuffed chairs from Marshal Lin Biao's office." ⎯ Fortune

PRAISE FOR RED CAPITAL RESIDENCE

"The residence is a boutique guesthouse with modern hotel staples such as the Internet and cable television. There are five suites: the Chairman's Suite, two Author's Suites, dedicated to Chinese author Han Suyin and American journalist Edgar Snow; and two concubines' Suites. Quirky touches include female staff in Red Guards' uniforms and goldfish in bowls in the Author's suites." ⎯ Vogue

PRAISE FOR RED CAPITAL RANCH

"Featuring a Manchurian, Tibetan, and Mongolian culture, food and spa experience, the resort aims to whisk guests back to ancient times, as if they were guests of Qing emperors at an imparial hunting lodge. From each of the villas, guests will also have private views of the Great Wall that actually encircles the resort, which sits on an ancient fortifications at the edge of the river." ⎯ Asia Inc.