Spice Temple Melbourne, The Waiting Room, Architect, Rockpool Group Project, Photos, Design

Melbourne Restaurants: Spice Temple + TWR Melbourne

The Waiting Room, Crown Towers: Melbourne Restaurants Interiors – design by 1:1 Architects, Australia

22 Dec 2010

Spice Temple Melbourne

Design: 1:1 Architects, Australia

The Rockpool Group’s Neil Perry, Trish Richards and David Doyle have launched their latest restaurant, Spice Temple Melbourne, at Crown, and their sixth venture in Australia. Based on the winning formula of its Sydney sister, Spice Temple is a modern Chinese restaurant.

Designed by former Bates Smart architect, Grant Cheyne, in association with David Nock of 1:1 Architects, the arrival experience of Spice Temple is one discovery and surprise and although more conventional than the Sydney precedent, it is a theatrical journey through a sequence of spaces.

Located over two levels, the two dining rooms and two semi-private dining rooms are warm and dramatically lit, and while there is an emphasis on comfort and experience rather than a certain theme, the spaces are intimate, relaxed and sexy, with subtle influences of the exotic street hawker food markets in China.

Melbourne Restaurants images © Earl Carter

The task of transforming the space into a dark, sophisticated, sexy and modern dining destination was a challenge welcomed by former Bates Smart architect, Grant Cheyne, and David Nock of 1:1 Architects. The arrival experience at Spice Temple is one of discovery and surprise and although more conventional than the Sydney precedent, remains a theatrical journey through a sequence of spaces.

There are warm, dramatically-lit dining areas defined by a perimeter of timber ‘curtain’ and music specially selected for the restaurant by Anton Monsted is played over a high quality sound system.

While there is little reference to Asia in the architecture, Spice Temple’s design has been influenced by the street hawker food markets and greatly complements the menu that draws inspiration from the provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, Hunan, Jiangxi, Guangxi and Xinjiang. Rawness and simplicity reverberate throughout the understated fit out, and there is an emphasis on comfort and experience rather than a certain theme, decor or iconic statement.

Over two floors, spaces have been made intimate and seating fairly dense to enhance the atmosphere and relax the mood. The dramatic, theatrical lighting and screening devices create a sense of personal space and privacy. All furnishings, decorative light fittings and joinery were custom designed for Spice Temple, and newly commissioned ‘second generation’ photographic portraits by Earl Carter embellish the atmosphere.

“I am delighted to have been invited to participate in the development of the Melbourne incarnation of the successful Sydney restaurant which I had earlier developed with Bates Smart. Spice Temple Melbourne is unique although in this case I did not want to drastically depart from the popular fundamentals. However, I did take the opportunity to fine tune a few details and turn-up the eclectic feel”, says Cheyne.

Spice Temple Melbourne – Building Information

Owners: Neil Perry, Trish Richards and David Doyle
Address: Shop 7, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank VIC 3006
Telephone: 61 3 8679 1888
Capacity: 206
Executive Chef: Neil Perry
Head Chef: Ben Pollard
Completion: 2010
Area: 295sqm ground level, 515sqm basement restaurant + additional BOH 194sqm
Architect: 1:1 Architects in association with Grant Cheyne
Project Manager: Crown Projects
Builder: Wunda Projects Australia
Services Engineer: Aurecon Group
Structural Engineer: Aurecon Group
QS: Turner & Townsend
Kitchen Consultant: MTD Group
Lighting Consultant: The Flaming Beacon
Photography: Earl Carter
Graphic Design: Mahon & Band

Spice Temple Melbourne Restaurant images / information received 211210

The Waiting Room Melbourne

Neil Perry’s new ‘jewel’ opens at Crown. Neil Perry, Trish Richards and David Doyle are pleased to announce the opening of their latest development, The Waiting Room (T.W.R). With its jewel-like design and position in the lobby of the city’s best hotel, Crown Towers, T.W.R is Melbourne’s most sophisticated hotel bar.

Two years in the making, Neil Perry and the Rockpool Group’s Beverage Director, Linden Pride travelled to some of the world’s most iconic bars, researching the concept for what would become T.W.R.

Melbourne Restaurants photos © Earl Carter

Their inspiration came from the best and most legendary hotels of Europe and the United States during the post WWII years as well as some of the hippest bars that London and New York have to offer.

To create T.W.R’s majestic space, that combines grandeur with intimate detail and style, Perry worked closely with former Bates Smart architect, Grant Cheyne on bringing T.W.R to life. A monumental, formal entrance connects the facetted and mirrored ‘jewel box’ interior with the adjacent hotel lobby, and custom designed fittings and furnishings complement the space.

“Our challenge was to recreate the feel of our favourite cocktail bars from around the globe and at T.W.R, I think we have managed to capture that buzz and moment of excitement when you walk through the door,” says Perry. Antique crystal glassware, copper mugs, coupettes, vintage cocktail equipment and soda guns complement the produce-driven bespoke cocktails and concise wine program, which offers premium wine by the taste, glass, carafe or bottle.

Even the music has been carefully considered with a special compilation created by Anton Monsted, Baz Luhrmann’s Music Supervisor on Australia and Moulin Rouge.

The Waiting Room Melbourne – Building Information

Name: The Waiting Room (T.W.R)
Owners: Neil Perry, Trish Richards and David Doyle
Address: Shop 3, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank
Telephone: 61 3 8679 1800
Capacity: 132 + standing room
Executive Chef: Neil Perry
Architect: Grant Cheyne in association with 1:1 Architects
Completion: 2010
Area: 262 sqm

Project Manager: Crown Projects
Builder: Wunda Projects Australia
Services Engineer: Aurecon Group
Structural Engineer: Aurecon Group
QS: Turner & Townsend
Kitchen consultant: MTD Group
Lighting consultant: Glowing Structures
Graphic Design: Mahon & Band

Photography: Earl Carter

The Waiting Room Melbourne Restaurant images / information received 211210

Address: 8 Whiteman St, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia
Menu: spicetemple.com.au
Phone: +61 3 8679 1888

Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia