When it comes to exclusivity and luxury, nothing spells it out quite like the global membership club for creatives, Soho House. Making its foray into India 5 years ago with a sprawling space in Mumbai's Juhu Beach within an 11-storey townhouse, it boasts interiors and a colour scheme inspired by Indian culture and the city outside. The members-only club features 38 bedrooms, a rooftop pool, a gym and a 32-seat screening room, as well as the honed restaurant Cecconi’s Mumbai for Northern Italian dishes to members and non-members. From its breathtaking rooftop pool overlooking the Arabian Sea to its meticulously curated dining experiences celebrating the rich tapestry of Indian cuisine, every corner of Soho House Mumbai exudes an atmosphere of sophistication and warmth.
Soho House, founded by Nick Jones in London in 1995, began as a sanctuary for individuals in creative industries seeking a respite from the mundane. What started as a single venue in London's Soho district has since blossomed into a global phenomenon, with outposts spanning across Europe, North America, Asia, and beyond. Each locale bears the hallmark of Soho House's distinctive blend of opulence and warmth, creating spaces that are as inviting as they are exclusive.
This year, Soho House has announced a significant expansion in India, launching its Cities Without Houses (CWH) membership in six new cities: New Delhi, Jaipur, Goa, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kolkata. The company also confirmed it will open two new Soho Houses in the coming years – Soho House New Delhi and Soho House South Mumbai – following the successful opening of Soho House Mumbai. Over the past five years since its opening, Soho House Mumbai has focused on building its community of members with a host of events that support emerging and established talent to flourish.
What makes Cities Without Houses (CWH) membership so sought after is that despite a physical Soho House, it connects creative-minded individuals over special experiences and events for members to enjoy and be part of a community – as well as giving members full access to Soho Houses globally when they travel. Through this members can expect an exciting programme of events ranging from One Night Only dinners, weekend getaways, must-see music talent performances, or an intimate fashion or art experience. To name a few of the events there is a One Night Affair with Tomo Koizumi in Tokyo, Salone del Mobile One Night Only Dinner in Milan, Arco Art Party in Lisbon, VIVID Sydney Under The Tunnels, and a Milan Fashion Week party. ‘This will be the first time that our CWH membership will be available in India, and we’re excited to learn more about India’s diverse and vibrant creative scene from our members to see how we can contribute and enrich their experience across all six cities,’ said Dominique Bellas, Membership Director Cities Without Houses.
But hold onto your hats because the excitement doesn't stop there! Soho House is gearing up to unveil not one but two swanky new destinations in India. Soho House New New Delhi and Soho House South Mumbai will be the two new spots offering indoor and outdoor spaces for members to eat, drink and socialise, as well as events to bring creative-minded people together. Soho House New Delhi will find its home in the bustling Mehrauli neighbourhood, a hotbed of artistic fervour boasting fashion houses, art galleries, and chic eateries galore. Speaking on the new announcement Kelly Wardingham, Regional Operations Director, Asia shared, "We are committed to building a membership community of kind, interesting and creative people in India and are looking forward to expanding the experience for our members globally by opening two new Houses in New Delhi and South Mumbai. Since opening Soho House Mumbai five years ago, we’ve loved seeing members support other members – one of the principles that Soho House was built on. Through our Soho Mentorship program, we’ve seen emerging local talent thrive and grow their network, and we look forward to continuing to do this across six new cities in India."
While the brand has not announced an official launch date, we can't wait for the new Soho House to open.