The Zagame group has now added an exciting new accommodation venture to its portfolio, with the opening in Melbourne of its first 97 room boutique hotel, Zagame’s House. The new hotel is the first in a series of boutique hotels that the group will open across Australia.

Located in Lygon Street Carlton on the fringe of Melbourne’s CBD, the design-driven Zagame’s House is the result of a complete AU$18 million (US$12.4 million) transformation of the former Downtowner Hotel, a popular budget accommodation option operated by the Zagame family for 16 years. This will be one of the first boutique hotels to open on the Lygon Street strip, adding to the area’s ongoing transformation.

The extensive renovations were led by Robert Zagame, Architect Robert Ficarra, Interlandi Mantesso Architects, and interior design team Linda Whitfield, Surround Style and Kas Makohon, Lukas Partners, with many of the furnishings and art-works being sourced and selected from boutique, local suppliers by the Zagame brothers themselves.

Distinctive commissioned artworks completed on-site by artists Ryan Foote, Rosie Wood, Lulu Zagame and Karl Gordon spearhead the eclectic aesthetic of the hotel and showcase the creative DNA of its location.

The 97 rooms are equipped with contemporary comforts and custom furnishings to deliver business travellers a new level of luxury. Bedrooms come complete with king-sized beds, European pillows and locally produced linen, while integrated technology outlets and acoustically panelled walls make for optimum privacy and ambience. Fueng Shui Master, Edgar Lok Tin Yung provided consultation on the project to ensure the correct flow of Qi throughout the hotel, harmonising great sleep and cleansing the energy for ultimate relaxation and mindfulness.

Brand collaborations have been carefully curated to match the ethos of Zagame’s House. Organic UK bath and body brand, Cowshed, will be supplied as part of the guest experience.  Our staff will don uniforms designed and produced by Australian fashion label Robbandlulu. The bespoke mini bar will showcase locally roasted coffee, courtesy of Mansfield Coffee Merchants, hand-selected Everleigh Bottling Co. cocktails, in-house created sweet and savoury treats as well as a risqué ‘lovers kit’.

The hotel is also home to a private event space, a neighbourhood wine shop and bar and a coffee house and kitchen. The state-of-the-art events space features stunning, custom TSAR designed carpet, bespoke chef-designed menus, and cutting edge conferencing technology adaptable for a variety of occasions, from weddings to corporate events.

The wine shop and bar, Lord Lygon, is headed up by award-winning executive chef, Chris Bonello (AHA Chef of the Year and MPD Restaurant of the year), delivering a tapas and drinks menu that champions locally based farmers, distillers and producers. Streetside Lobby 1851 coffee house and kitchen completes the Zagame House food offering, with a refined ala carte breakfast menu to be enjoyed at its large communal tables.

From its original design features and cutting edge technology, to its locally sourced food and beverage offerings, the new Zagame’s House will showcase the local DNA of its surrounds, positioning itself as the place to stay when seeking the quintessential Melbourne experience.

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