Lexus has just proudly announced its 20th year as a partner of the Victoria Racing Club (VRC), and its celebrations are set to be something that you won’t want to miss. The LANDMARK by Lexus marquee will return again for 2022’s Melbourne Cup Carnival, but this year, the luxury car company has really upped the ante on its Flemington Racecourse affair.

This year Lexus will be leaning into Japanese omotenashi hospitality. Meaning to “look after wholeheartedly”, the brand has placed sustainability at the heart of its concept. The result is a three-tier marquee dreamt up exclusively by Koichi Takada Architects, which embraces a biophilic design inspired by echoes of waves and shadow and light. In keeping with the sustainability mantra, the LANDMARK by Lexus focal point will be the Lexus RZ – the brand’s first fully-electric luxury SUV concept which produces zero emissions.

“LANDMARK by Lexus is our way of extending the progressive and refined luxury lifestyle of our brand to all guests,” says Lexus Australia Chief Executive John Pappas. “It will enable them to have the same warm omotenashi experience enjoyed by those already part of the Lexus family.”

Related story: Matt Preston spills on what really goes on inside the Birdcage at the Melbourne Cup

What you can expect inside the LANDMARK marquee

Inside the marquee, guests are promised a sensory overload. Each of the three levels will boast a strong sense of individuality, with immersive experiences across food and lifestyle. The spaces will be dressed by sustainably focused interior designer Fiona Lynch, with eye-catching bespoke installations from Sydney’s renowned experiential florists, Hermetica. Impressively, even the scent of the space has been thought of, with fragrance brand Raconteur developing a trio of scents from a mingling of Australian and Japanese native ingredients.

Foodies will be pleased to hear that the ground floor plays host to a special 80-seat dining experience by Melbourne’s East Brunswick institution Etta. The refined three-course menu planned by Etta’s founding duo Hannah Green and Rosheen Kaul will embrace the eatery’s principles in seasonality, weaving together Australian and Asian flavours.

However, for delicious. readers, it will be level three that holds prime appeal. It’s here in the Lounge area that you’ll be able to pay a visit to an intimate tasting bar and charcuterie experience hosted by our resident butcher and regular contributor, Anthony Puharich. LANDMARK by Lexus will be hosting Puharich’s artisanal butcher Victor Churchill, described by late culinary expert and chef Anthony Bourdain as “The most beautiful butcher shop in the world”.

Victor Churchill will be joined by a pop-up KOI dessert bar, just in case you’re craving something sweet.

Related story: Etta’s showstopping menu will have you swinging from its chandelier