Melbourne's New Art Series Hotel Is Inspired by Australian Artist Zhong Chen

The new 100-room boutique hotel in Box Hill sports a rooftop pool and a design inspired by Chen's King Fu series.
Jasmine Crittenden
November 07, 2017

If you're a fan of Chinese-Australian artist Zhong Chen, here's some good news. As of November 22, you'll be able to sleep with his works. The Art Series Hotel Group has just revealed the first images of the latest venture and it's a five-storey, 100-room number dedicated to him.

Named The Chen, the hotel is in Box Hill, 14 kilometres east of Melbourne, within Whitehorse Towers, which, at 36 storeys, is the tallest development outside of the Victorian capital's CBD.

Architects Peddle Thorp have taken care of the design, inspired by Chen's King Fu series and, as you'd expect, fun, bold, bright colours rule. There's a bunch of digital archival fine art editions of Chen's works, as well as a stack of originals, including Rooster, fitting because Chen was born in the Year of the Rooster (1969) and the hotel will open in the Year of the Rooster (that's this year).

There'll be four in-hotel spots for eating and drinking, including a yum cha restaurant, as well as a gym, events space and rooftop pool (which is, unfortunately, only for guest use). You can also count on the Art Series' usual arty facilities and activities, including tours, libraries, television channels and documentaries, as well as Art Series-branded smart cars and Lekker bicycles available for guests.

"I have lived and worked in Box Hill for nearly a decade," said Chen. "I am passionate about my community and its emergence as a cultural powerhouse outside of Melbourne. To have a hotel of such significance, opening in the year of my birth sign, is a true honour. I look forward to meeting guests and seeing how they interact with the hotel and my artworks. It is sure to be a surreal experience."

The Chen will open at 820 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill on November 22. For more info or to book a room, visit artserieshotels.com.au/chen.

Published on November 07, 2017 by Jasmine Crittenden
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