Kelly McFarland
Since it opened last year The Ned has fast secured its spot as one of the city’s most popular members clubs and hotels to visit.
We recently came across the story of how The Ned came to be while researching a previous article, and thought we’d share with you all.
In 2012 Soho House & Co-founder Nick Jones was in the city of London. He happened to come across the city’s disused Midland bank, it was love at first sight!
The property had been empty for eight years when Nick stumbled across it, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1925. It has occupied the corner of Poultry Street and Princes Street for nearly a century.
Nick would later say it was the details and scale of the building that had him falling so in love. He rang Ron Burkle, Soho House chairman, and investor. Ron visited the building and became equally loved up. They knew they could so much with it. But they also knew it was going to be a big project and that they would need some help. So Ron called on an old friend Andrew Zobler, the CEO of New York’s Sydell Group.
Soho House & Co has built and run 18 members’ clubs – most with bedrooms – and 37 restaurants around the world, while Sydell Group has eight hotels in North America, including The NoMad in Manhattan, Freehand in Miami and The Line in Los Angeles. While both companies have worked with historic buildings before, both Nick and Andrew were blown away by the architecture and completely inspired by Sir Edwin ‘Ned’ Lutyens’ masterpiece at 27 Poultry – all 29,450 square meters of it.
Both admit bringing their concept to life was a interesting experience for them both, with Andrew regularly challenging Nick on his creative decisions.Having enjoyed the process so much that they are now looking for heritage properties in the USA to work on together.
You can find out more about The Ned, how to become a member or book a stay via the website.
