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David Rockwell and street artist Hush bring urban art indoors for New York restaurant VANDAL
POSTED 19 May 2016 . BY Kim Megson
Seven street artists joined forces with Rockwell Group to design art for VANDAL Credit: Vandal
David Rockwell has collaborated with seven famous street artists to create VANDAL; a recently launched street food restaurant in New York.

Located on Bowery Street in Manhattan, the bi-level, 350-seat restaurant is a labyrinthine web of private rooms, secret catacombs, hidden gardens and surprising art installations.

Rockell’s design team planned VANDAL’s interiors and British street artist Hush curated the wallscape. He created seven huge murals for the space and commissioned six other artists to provide artwork for each room, reflecting “the gritty and lush moments” found in outdoor urban locales.

“The experience of VANDAL unfolds through a series of unique dining rooms each supporting site specific art installations,” said Rockwell. “It's almost like the street turned inside out."

Hush added: “I wanted to represent street aesthetics and show how artists take over spaces. Each artist has a signature style, which also establishes the different techniques defining street art. Together, we created a cohesive space to complement the eclectic street food-inspired menu.”

Guests enter the restaurant through a minimalist flower shop and botanical gallery designed by floral studio Ovando. They then pass through a vaulted brick tunnel where they are greeted by an 11ft tall breakdancing pink bunny rabbit sculpture created by Rockwell.

The interiors combine plush design features and urban touches, with leather sofas, delicate glass globe lights and a blue granite and lacquered wooden bar set against concrete and exposed brick walls.

The restaurant has been developed by Marc Packer and Rich Wolf – founders of hospitality-focused TAO Group – along with chef Chris Santos.

"The idea of bringing street food and street art together under one roof struck me like a bolt of lightning," said Wolf. "The experience of VANDAL will not be just of great food, drinks, and warm hospitality, but also of a love affair with world-class artists."

The seven “vandals” of the restaurant’s name are Hush, Apexer, Tristan Eaton, Eelus, Vhils, Will Barra and Shepard Fairey – designer of the iconic Barack Obama Hope campaign poster.

Graffiti and gastronomy are increasingly popular bedfellows. Recently the W Montreal Hotel in Canada opened seafood restaurant Être Avec Toi, with windows, tables, chairs and booths all turned into works of art by local street artists.
The restaurant is a labryinthe of secret rooms and gardens Credit: Vandal
A 11ft pink breakdancing bunny designed by David Rockwell welcomes guests Credit: Vandal
Plush design features are included alongside grittier elements, such as exposed brick walls Credit: Vandal
Entrance to the restaurant is through a botanical gallery and flower shop Credit: Vandal
Each room has a different theme and unique art work Credit: Vandal
David Rockwell said VANDAL 'is almost like the street turned inside out' Credit: Vandal
The restaurant has 350 seats over two levels Credit: Vandal
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NEWS
David Rockwell and street artist Hush bring urban art indoors for New York restaurant VANDAL
POSTED 19 May 2016 . BY Kim Megson
Seven street artists joined forces with Rockwell Group to design art for VANDAL Credit: Vandal
David Rockwell has collaborated with seven famous street artists to create VANDAL; a recently launched street food restaurant in New York.

Located on Bowery Street in Manhattan, the bi-level, 350-seat restaurant is a labyrinthine web of private rooms, secret catacombs, hidden gardens and surprising art installations.

Rockell’s design team planned VANDAL’s interiors and British street artist Hush curated the wallscape. He created seven huge murals for the space and commissioned six other artists to provide artwork for each room, reflecting “the gritty and lush moments” found in outdoor urban locales.

“The experience of VANDAL unfolds through a series of unique dining rooms each supporting site specific art installations,” said Rockwell. “It's almost like the street turned inside out."

Hush added: “I wanted to represent street aesthetics and show how artists take over spaces. Each artist has a signature style, which also establishes the different techniques defining street art. Together, we created a cohesive space to complement the eclectic street food-inspired menu.”

Guests enter the restaurant through a minimalist flower shop and botanical gallery designed by floral studio Ovando. They then pass through a vaulted brick tunnel where they are greeted by an 11ft tall breakdancing pink bunny rabbit sculpture created by Rockwell.

The interiors combine plush design features and urban touches, with leather sofas, delicate glass globe lights and a blue granite and lacquered wooden bar set against concrete and exposed brick walls.

The restaurant has been developed by Marc Packer and Rich Wolf – founders of hospitality-focused TAO Group – along with chef Chris Santos.

"The idea of bringing street food and street art together under one roof struck me like a bolt of lightning," said Wolf. "The experience of VANDAL will not be just of great food, drinks, and warm hospitality, but also of a love affair with world-class artists."

The seven “vandals” of the restaurant’s name are Hush, Apexer, Tristan Eaton, Eelus, Vhils, Will Barra and Shepard Fairey – designer of the iconic Barack Obama Hope campaign poster.

Graffiti and gastronomy are increasingly popular bedfellows. Recently the W Montreal Hotel in Canada opened seafood restaurant Être Avec Toi, with windows, tables, chairs and booths all turned into works of art by local street artists.
The restaurant is a labryinthe of secret rooms and gardens Credit: Vandal
A 11ft pink breakdancing bunny designed by David Rockwell welcomes guests Credit: Vandal
Plush design features are included alongside grittier elements, such as exposed brick walls Credit: Vandal
Entrance to the restaurant is through a botanical gallery and flower shop Credit: Vandal
Each room has a different theme and unique art work Credit: Vandal
David Rockwell said VANDAL 'is almost like the street turned inside out' Credit: Vandal
The restaurant has 350 seats over two levels Credit: Vandal
RELATED STORIES
Artists and designers turn security gates into street art for colourful New York project


Street artists and New York businesses have joined forces to beautify the city’s Lower East Side using one simple tool: spray paint.
Graffiti and gastronomy combine for restaurant and art gallery hybrid in Montreal


A group of architects, artists, interior designers and developers have joined forces to open a seafood restaurant mixing street art, design and fine food in Montreal, Canada.
MORE NEWS
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
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COMPANY PROFILES
Painting With Light

By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
Polin Waterparks

Polin was founded in Istanbul in 1976. Polin has since grown into a leading company in the waterpa [more...]
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V.

Vekoma Rides has a large variety of coasters and attractions. [more...]
IAAPA EMEA

IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
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