New York, New York – Reported by Elite Traveler, the private jet lifestyle magazine
Soho House has announced the second phase of an expansion plan for the private members club Group, launching five new houses to be opened over the next two years. New openings are confirmed for Toronto, Mumbai, Chicago, Istanbul and Barcelona by the end of 2014, bringing Soho House to four new international territories.
The new locations will retain the Soho House DNA, ensuring the clubs act as a home-from-home for members in different corners of the world for the creative industries. Each new site whilst being recognizable as a Soho House, will take on a distinct look and feel drawing inspiration from its local area.
Nick Jones, Founder and CEO of Soho House commented on the expansion “I’m delighted that the Soho House family is set to grow – we’ve been working on these projects for a long time, seeking out the right properties and locations in the cities we want to be in. Being able to announce five new Houses, extend our US footprint and venture into Canada, India, Turkey and Spain is a big moment for us”.
“Our existing members will soon have homes from home in even more of the world’s creative hubs, whilst the diversity of new members that join these future Houses will undoubtedly make a fantastic addition to our international community”.
The first property to open as part of the latest expansion phase is Soho House Toronto, which opens this autumn. Following three years of Soho House pop ups during the Toronto International Film Festival, this year sees the launch of a permanent club on Bishops Block – just one block from the King West Theatre District and the headquarters of TIFF. Soho House Toronto will inhabit a building dating back to the 1800s which has recently been restored, brick for brick; it was originally one of Toronto’s first hotels.
Soho House Mumbai will open in Spring 2013 – the ?rst House in the Asian subcontinent. The club and 38 room hotel will be situated in a converted building on Juhu Tara Road, on the beach in Mumbai’s cosmopolitan Juhu neighbourhood. The 10 storey building’s interior will reference the diverse local culture and surroundings and will feature a rooftop pool and an infinity bar looking out to sea.
Following the success of first three US clubs, Soho House Chicago is set to open in Spring 2014. Housed in a 1907 warehouse on Green Street in the Randolph Market area of the West Loop, the six-storey building was originally the manufacturing centre of the Chicago Belting Factory. Original features of the building include an ornamented entrance lobby and large open plan spaces with an exposed concrete structural system. The house will host 35 bedrooms, a full sized pool, courtyard and a glass enclosed rooftop bar & kitchen.
Also planned for Spring 2014 is the opening of Soho House Istanbul – the biggest ever house. Located in the Beyoglu district and built in 1873, the club will span three buildings including the main structure, Palazzo Corpi – which was once the first U.S government-owned diplomatic premises in the World. Lined with frescoes, paintings and ceilings covered in mythological figures, the club will feature city views with typical Soho House style modern and vintage furniture. It will feature 88 bedrooms, club spaces as well as areas for private hire and rooftop pools.
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Soho House Barcelona is the final opening planned for Winter 2014. The club will be set over six storeys of a 19th century apartment block on Plaza Medinaceli, adjacent to the port. Arranged around a central glass atrium which runs throughout, the house will feature 60 bedrooms as well as a rooftop pool offering views over both the city and the sea. The club space will be home to a dining area, bar, games room and gym, while the ground floor will host a public restaurant and Cowshed spa.
The announcement comes five months after LA based entrepreneur, Ron Burkle acquired a major stake in the Group and assumed the role of chairman. This investment combined with the strong financial performance of the group led by Nick Jones, CEO and founder has meant the business is perfectly positioned to launch its second phase of expansion following the successful move in 2010 into the US and Berlin.
Alongside work on the expansion of the Group there is also a focus on the existing clubs, with a recent Soho House New York refurb helping to bring the club back to its roots. Babington House is also being refreshed with newly decorated rooms, and an updated CowshedActive area. Additionally July will see the launch of the Soho House Berlin Apartments providing 20 fully serviced apartments available alongside the existing rooms in four different room categories. There are also plans for improvements to some of the London Houses on the drawing board for 2013.
