Since 2026, Shanghai’s appeal to overseas talents has been shifting from “policy convenience” to “living convenience”. With the implementation of the “Talent 30 Measures”, residential support packages for high-level foreign talents in Shanghai continue to be upgraded. For executives of multinational corporations and their families, housing considerations have quietly shifted from “where to live” to “how to live securely, stay long-term and gain a stronger sense of belonging”.
Market data confirms this trend. According to Savills reports, the serviced apartment market has completed the transition from being business-centric to lifestyle-led. Demand for high-end rental housing is increasingly gravitating toward properties with stronger comprehensive service capabilities. Competition has moved beyond location and physical amenities to encompass safety, services, humanistic care and long-term operational expertise. Amid the industry’s transformation and upgrading, Stanford Residences Serviced Apartments, rooted in the core areas of Jing’an and Xuhui, has built up mature operational experience in international residential leasing.
This solid operational practice is embodied concretely across Stanford Residences Jing’an and Stanford Residences Xuhui. Stanford Residences Jing’an sits close to the West Nanjing Road commercial district, with well-established business and expat amenities in the surrounding area. It offers a variety of layouts ranging from two-bedroom and three-bedroom flats to duplexes, catering to diverse long-term accommodation needs for executive families of different sizes.
Stanford Residences Xuhui is located within the Hengfu Conservation Area, shaded by plane trees. It is home to the premium clubhouse “Jia Yu Club” spanning approximately 3,600 square metres. Over 70% of residents in the community are expatriates, creating a strong international living atmosphere.
Both properties are situated in central Shanghai. Boasting high tenant renewal loyalty, they have nurtured a large base of repeat tenants who have chosen Stanford Residences for many years.
This enduring trust in long-term tenancy is underpinned by Stanford Residences’ premium service system built around its “Gold Butler” standard. Both Stanford Residences Jing’an and Stanford Residences Xuhui assign dedicated butlers supported by a multilingual service team. From daily housekeeping and concierge reception to grocery procurement, resident requests are handled by designated staff to ensure prompt service response.
Beyond routine services, emergency preparedness constitutes a vital component of this service system. When residential order is challenged by emergencies such as extreme weather, the butler team conducts equipment inspections and risk checks in advance, and refines emergency response plans proactively. Protection measures are put in place before residents even notice potential risks.
According to Savills’ *2026 Serviced Apartment Resident Survey*, residents’ attention to emergency response plans keeps rising. At Stanford Residences, however, this has already become a regular responsibility of the butler team.
If standardized butler services deliver certainty in accommodation, diverse festive and cultural activities address the deeper emotional needs of residents. From writing fu characters and sharing the joy of the Lunar New Year, to toasting with international neighbours at Christmas parties, and children playing side by side on Children’s Day, what Stanford Residences strives for is to enable expat families of varied cultural backgrounds to feel the familiar warmth of festivals in a foreign land. Through a series of seasonal events, the apartments are transformed from mere living spaces into a welcoming home away from home filled with memories and human connections.
This Mid-Autumn Festival, this warmth arrives as promised. Stanford Residences Jing’an and Stanford Residences Xuhui have carefully curated the *Blossoming Flowers and Full Moon* series of Mid-Autumn themed events, inviting residents to celebrate the festival together.
The common areas and clubhouse are tastefully decorated with jade rabbit photo stands, traditional Chinese paper lanterns and festive displays. A host of activities are held in sequence, including the fun “Fishing for Jade Rabbits” game, hand-painted round fans and dried-flower round fan craft workshops. Resident families with children experience the charm of this traditional festival as they cast their fishing rods and adorn fan surfaces.
For Chinese and international families residing overseas long-term who have made Stanford Residences their home, there is no need to travel far to mark this Mid-Autumn Festival. A lantern, a round fan and a gift bring the rituals of this Eastern festival right to residents’ fingertips. The vision of “living securely, staying long-term, and belonging here” is no longer merely an aspiration, but manifests itself in every thoughtfully observed day on the calendar.
From standardized service systems to the delivery of humanistic warmth, Stanford Residences is committed to offering every expat resident a reliable anchor in a foreign land. This long-term accumulation and unwavering commitment to quality have earned high recognition and trust from the market and tenants.
Statistics show that the occupancy rates of Stanford Residences Jing’an and Stanford Residences Xuhui remained above 90% throughout the first three quarters of 2026. Amid a sector-wide surge in tenant turnover, the two Stanford properties maintained robust occupancy levels.
One resident commented: “The beauty of Stanford Residences lies in its dedication to providing warmth and care for tenants under all circumstances. Even as an expat living away from home here, I feel a strong sense of security and belonging.”
Many tenants have accompanied Stanford Residences’ growth for more than a decade since the projects opened. These year-after-year tenancy relationships serve as the most authentic testament to the quality of its services.
From an industry trend perspective, the serviced apartment market is developing into a distinct segment driven by rising demand for higher quality and differentiation. Properties with urban heritage, immersive scenario-based experiences and consistent service capabilities boast stronger long-term competitiveness. Stanford Residences’ strategy — rooted in refined services, bonded by humanistic care and underpinned by emergency preparedness as the bottom line — serves as a proactive response to this trend.
Driven by the shift from a business-centric model to a lifestyle-led one, the evolution of Shanghai’s high-end rental market is essentially a test of service depth. Leveraging prime locations in central districts and premium physical amenities, Stanford Residences integrates Gold Butler services and festive cultural experiences into daily life. Within the core areas of Jing’an and Xuhui, it has created an international rental benchmark tailored to the accommodation needs of expatriate executive families.