The Fullerton Bay Hotel | DP Architects

The hotel’s inspiring glass façade, designed by Singapore-based DP Architects, embodies the true spirit of the Marina Bay waterfront. Guests enjoy a sense of arrival via the graceful Clifford Pier entrance and expansive 17-metre wide lobby by design wunderkind, Andre Fu who has been hailed by trendsetting Monocle Magazine as “Design Master” and by Conde Nast Traveler USA as “Asian Design Sensation”. Fu is also responsible for the Hotel restaurants – La Brasserie, Lantern, The Clifford Pier and The Landing Point. Set against the egg-white interior, a stunning cylindrical chandelier that measures five metres in diameter is suspended at a dramatic 10 metre height. At eye level, two groups of plush lounge seating are positioned in perfect symmetry to enhance the ambience of residential elegance.

Throughout the hotel, guests enjoy facets of Singapore’s vibrant history with Fu’s hand-picked selection of vintage nautical maps and commissioned contemporary art that reflects the celebration of heritage and modernity.

Fu comments, “To create a modern colonial hotel that pays tribute to the bygone era, I have purposely conjured up a sense of refinement throughout”.

An intriguing palette of rich marble in varying tones of mineral greys is combined with bespoke furnishings in lush olive greens, burnt orange and deep aubergine shades. This combination ensures that The Fullerton Bay Hotel retains links to the heritage precinct in which it is located yet when viewed in its entirety, the hotel remains contemporary and international in style.
Fu’s design talent is evident throughout the Hotel’s four dining destinations – La Brasserie, Lantern, The Clifford Pier and The Landing Point.

Immersing diners in a regal experience aligned with the Pier’s momentous role in the history of Singapore, The Clifford Pier adopts an overall palette of mineral blue, warm tangerine and soft beige, accented with rustic stone counters and adorned with stunning blue and white porcelain vases. Bespoke lights, fabrics and an eclectic mix of furniture inject a breath of fresh air into the pier while historical lithographs, photographs and prints coupled with a showcase of books from past to present reflect the timelessness of the space.

Positioned alongside an impressive six metre wide internal promenade paved in bespoke marble mosaics, The Landing Point captures the colonial era from which Singapore emerged. The feel is residential, but with an escapist flair that can imply an old British Concession. An array of custom-made furnishings in soft hues of moss green, mineral silver and plum are carefully positioned to convey an intimate sense of place. The key focal highlight is an extensive 13-metre long bar and a vast outdoor terrace that overlooks the waterfront. A stunning seven metre wide multi-faceted ceiling pendent feature also enhances the visual experience of this elegant lounge – it is composed of a multi-angular framework with crystal glass sheets that are individually water-gilded in gold to create a subtly shimmering effect.

At the far end of the Landing Point is the hotel lobby which showcases the architecturally intriguing 18-metre high atrium. Set against a patterned backdrop of inlaid indo wenge veneer and a bespoke series of diamond shaped wall-scones, its breathtaking spatial volume will captivate the guest. During the day, the lobby is bathed with natural daylight, whilst the overall ambience is resonant of the theatre in the evening.

La Brasserie is reminiscent of a classic brasserie with a clever play of vintage furnishings in warm grey, burnt orange and dark aubergine set against the stunning ivory French paneling reaching 10 metres high and masculine herringbone oak floors. The 280 square metre (3,000 square feet) haven is a tribute to the social salons of a bygone age. Entering from the reception area and a wine library that houses over 800 bottles of fine wine, guests are presented with the main dining salon. Fu crafts the refined spirit of the restaurant through an enticing palette of tones, which balance the French paneling and oak flooring. Two private dining salons replete with grand contemporary chandeliers and Venetian mirrors complete the setting.

Ascending to the rooftop of the hotel, the vast pool and rooftop bar offers a new perspective of Singapore – it also marks the highpoint of the Fullerton experience. Grafting the concept of a speakeasy – normally dark, confined and indoor – onto a hotel rooftop ensures that Lantern is utterly unique. Lantern is designed to capture the spirit of a floating oasis. Holistically, the sensual bar is meticulously crafted with a notion of what is historic, boutique and bespoke. Surrounded by lush tropical landscaping that is reminiscent of the Mediterranean lifestyle, a five metre glowing bar designed in the shape of a lantern with swirling bronze fins is positioned at the far end of the swimming pool to serve as the key focal point. Scattered around the bar counter is an eclectic mix of custom-made rattan furnishings in burnt sienna, deep reds and deep olive green all carefully positioned to create cosy pockets for an exclusive destination lounge experience. Already one of the city’s top rooftop hotel bars, Lantern is situated around the hotel’s 25-metre infinity pool and two couple Jacuzzis.

Andre’s previous notable projects include the highly acclaimed The Upper House Hotel, Piacere Italian Restaurant, Agnes b. La Loggia Flagship Store in Hong Kong, JIA Shanghai’s eclectic lobby as well as the private residence of international actress Michelle Yeoh.

Incorporating materials and designs such as polished rosewood and latticed screens, as well as leather and chrome, LCL Architects has created an elegant and refined atmosphere in 100 rooms and suites with a predominantly natural palette throughout. The team applied two generic themes; the first employs an Asian ambience with polished rosewood predominantly used for the furniture and feature latticed screens, with leather and chrome embellishments. The second theme employs a western ambience with polished burlwood, fabric panelled walls, and gold embellishments. Ivory limestone and heavily veined yellow marble complete the design whilst soft furnishings are in golden creamy tones.

Each of the hotel’s six suites, including the Presidential Suite, are individually themed to reflect the wealth of cultures in Singapore’s cosmopolitan population, including Chinese, Malay, Indian, Peranakan and Colonial. The suites are situated on the upper three storeys of the hotel, facing the Marina Bay waterfront. Named after the former Governors of the Straits Settlement – part of Singapore’s colonial past and heritage (Sir Hugh Clifford, Sir Shenton Thomas, Sir William Cleaver Francis Robinson, Sir John Anderson and Major General Sir William Orfeur Cavenagh), each suite is adorned with bespoke artwork and antiques alongside contemporary pieces that embody the spirit of the suite’s theme. The suites are decorated with signature fabrics in a style and colour unique to its ethnic theme. For example, the Chinese-themed Robinson Suite is fitted with feature wall panels made of silk in a pattern of Chinese urns, whilst the Indian themed Shenton Suite features a framed contemporary Indian textile of velvet, embroidery and sequins.