Soho House 40 Greek Street. Photo Credit: Courtesy of SoHo House

Private memberships clubs have been around since the 1700s, originating in London and generally following the stereotype of being men-only and, quite honestly, a bit (OK, a lot) stuffy. The members’ club concept later made its way to the U.S., and many were affiliated with the country’s top universities: the Yale Club, the Harvard Club, the Penn Club, and so on. 

But that all changed in 1995, when the very first Soho House opened in a historic Georgian townhouse at 40 Greek Street in London’s Soho neighborhood. It all happened after Soho House founder Nick Jones was offered the space above his restaurant Café Boheme and once open, the club served simple British food and had a variety of lounge-y areas for guests to hang out in, along with a cozy event space. The concept was simple—to bring together the diverse members of mostly artists and actors to “connect, grow, have fun, and make an impact”—and was an immediate success. 

“Soho House started 26 years ago when we opened 40 Greek Street in Soho, London,” Nick Jones tells Grazia USA. “There were members’ clubs in London but they were gentleman only; suits and totally male-orientated. It wasn’t where I wanted to hang out. We wanted to create a home away from home for the local artists and actors who were in Soho at the time and luckily, people were interested.” 

Soho House Rome. Photo Credit: Courtesy of SoHo House

Now under the umbrella of Membership Collective Group, of which Jones serves as CEO, Soho House has grown from a single location in London to a global network with 30 Soho Houses, nine Soho Works co-working spaces, The Ned in London, Scorpios Beach Club in Mykonos, a lifestyle retail brand, Soho Home, a handful of Cecconi’s restaurants, and Cowshed Spa, as well as the LINE and Saguaro hotels in North America. At this point, there is a Soho House footprint in most major cities across the globe—or, if there isn’t yet, there likely will be soon. 

“I never expected Soho House to be where it is today, but our members are still the same: nice, kind people with creative souls,” Jones continues. “We aim to create a space where everyone can flourish; a struggling scriptwriter can be sitting next to a successful playwright in our Houses. Our members inspire everything we do, they drive our growth at Soho House and we’re constantly working on ways to make things better for them.” 

Since the founding of Soho House, there has been a proliferation of private clubs geared to different specific interests: the Core Club for the power suit set, the now-defunct Wing, which was a women-only concept, and The Well, perfect for those searching for premiere wellness services. Across the pond in London, Annabel’s continues to draw an A-list crowd, and Zero Bond and Casa Cipriani, both located downtown NYC, have recently become two of the city’s hottest spots—and most exclusive invitations. 

Soho House Austin Bedroom. Photo Credit: Chase Daniels

But despite the fierce competition, along with setbacks due to COVID-19 lockdowns, Soho House has not only survived but thrived. In 2021, the brand opened locations in Austin, Rome, Paris, Tel Aviv, and Canouan, a small Caribbean island in St. Vincent and Grenadines, accessible by plane or boat; a fourth LA-based location, Little House West Hollywood, is set to debut at the beginning of 2022, followed by a Nashville location. 

‘At this point, there is a Soho House footprint in most major cities across the globe—or, if there isn’t yet, there likely will be soon.’

“I’ve just been to Rome where we opened our newest House, in a 10-story building in San Lorenzo,” Jones shares. “It’s not tourist Rome, it’s where Romans live and socialize, and it’s given us space, and an incredible rooftop—views of the Vatican from one side and mountains from the other. Soho House Rome has everything under one roof; you can go to the gym, swim in the pool, watch a film, eat, drink, see friends, or take a meeting.” Not ready to leave after a special stay? You don’t have to. “We also have apartments so members can stay with us for longer,” explains Jones. “Rome is something members have been asking for, so it’s exciting to see it come to life.” 

Next up will be the early 2022 opening of Little House West Hollywood. Hidden away from the busy streets and located close to the nearby West Hollywood club, the latest Los Angeles property will feature a rooftop with views of the Hollywood Hills and glimpses of downtown as well as a light-filled courtyard bar, a House Studio space along with a Club Lounge, and a new restaurant. The first LA House available for overnight stays, Little House West Hollywood will offer 34 bedrooms decorated in dusty tones overlooking the courtyard, landscaped with flora native to Southern California. 

“We’re excited about West Hollywood,” says Jones. “It has always been a special place for Soho House. We hosted pop-ups in awards season for years before we opened our House at 9200 Sunset Boulevard in 2010, and our members have always asked for a place to stay with us while they’re here.” 

Photo Credit: Courtesy of SoHo House

But before those splashy openings, there is something else for Soho House members and guests to look forward to: Art Basel Miami Beach. This year, the art fair will return to the Sunshine State after taking a break due to COVID lockdowns, and it’s already shaping up to be a massive, star-studded affair—with Soho Beach House at the center of the action. Soho Beach House Miami is located in a restored Art Deco building on Collins Avenue. Tucked away behind lush foliage, the House—a personal favorite—truly has that home-away-from-home vibe and is a meeting place for the city’s creatives, especially during the Art Basel events. On the ground floor is an outpost of Cecconi’s restaurant along with a bustling lobby lounge; out back, there’s a chic pool area complete with extra-wide—and comfy!—striped cushioned loungers and delicious poolside fare. For those who prefer the sand, a private beach is just steps away. The House also features a Cowshed spa, fitness center, and 49 guest rooms for those who want to stay. 

As the crowds descend on Miami, Soho Beach House will serve as an unofficial clubhouse for the artists, curators, collectors, aspiring collectors, and those just looking to have a little fun. For their members and guests, Soho Beach House will have a robust lineup of events including an interactive NFT exhibit, talks on sustainable artistry, futuristic beach light installations, and DJ sets from Carl Craig, Roger Sanchez, and DZA. The infamous Beach Tent also returns for the tenth year, and famed funk musician George Clinton will be on hand to celebrate the “Funkbasel” exhibition. 

“Art is a really important part of Soho House, our artist members, the art in our spaces—it makes our Houses come alive,” explains Jones. “This year we’re bringing back the Tent and I’m really looking forward to a diverse mix of installations, pop-ups, and performances, such as the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) Miami’s talk with Hugh Hayden and performances from George Clinton, Ian Isiah, and more during the week. Basel has always been a very special moment for us in Miami. We’ve had some great times there, and I’m excited to be back.”