The Cullen Hotel Countdown Begins…

Excitement is mounting on Commercial Road, Prahran as The Cullen Hotel takes shape with only two months until opening. The lime green facade is complete and two hot new dining spaces on the ground floor are well underway, while rooms are being fitted out and dressed with a visual feast of Cullen’s works across the six storey boutique hotel.

Taking pride of place on The Cullen ground floor is the 140 seater Hutong. The sister restaurant of Hutong Dumpling Bar in Market Lane will boast a luxury cast of dumpling makers and a Roast Duck chef from the most famous duck restaurant Quanjude in China. Taking on an antique Chinese garden theme the moody restaurant will contrast dark wood and silver bricks lit with red pendent lanterns and a glass fronted kitchen displaying the masters at work.

The Terrace, owned by established Melbourne restaurateur George Rizk will take poll position with a corner bar opening on to Commercial Road. The Euro designed restaurant will have ample outdoor (75) and indoor seating (65) and serve a Mediterranean inspired menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days per week. The Terrace will be a popular destination with hotel guests and Prahran locals. Executive Chef, Milan Cushway has a stellar history, most recently the Executive Chef at Melbourne’s iconic French restaurant, Francois.

The 115 room hotel interiors are in completion phase and are currently being curated with designer furniture and 450 pieces of Adam Cullen’s artwork. At the front of the hotel, two life sized fibreglass cows painted by Cullen will greet guests on entry to the foyer. Two penthouses with spectacular city skyline views will open out on to enormous rooftop terraces and entertaining areas.

The quirky interiors in monochromatic colour schemes are highlighted by vibrant orange throw rugs and cushions making the perfect backdrop for Cullen’s works. Furniture designs take inspiration from the best modern day designers while small details make each room unique including specially designed bookshelves including the latest art and design books. Luxury bathrooms and kitchens will feature modern stainless appliances and finishes.

Cullen piqued interest and generated a media storm in the early days of his career by dragging around a rotten pig’s head chained to his ankle. In 2000, Cullen firmly established himself as an artistic force winning Australia’s most prestigious art prize, the Archibald, for his portrait of David Wenham.