Simply Abu Dhabi XXVII

2 4 6 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I The renovation was no small task as huge volumes of sea water had to be pumped out during the excavation. As the development took shape, essential characteristics of the building and of its cultural heritage were maintained. The vaulted ceilings typical in Catalonia were lovingly restored and retain real impact in various spaces such as the Cowshed spa, the members’ club room and the gym. As Richard says, “For us it’s important that you have the local flavour and that you know you’re in Barcelona, not only in terms of the food and drink but also in terms of interior design.” There is one downside to visiting any Soho House anywhere in the world, and that is the acutely covetous feelings you experience. I doubt I’m alone in confessing that wandering around makes my brain start silently muttering, “I want that tan leather timeworn old armchair, look at that lustrous brass table lamp, I wonder where I could get some authentic Spanish patterned tiles like those, how cool is that cabinet… check out that antique Danish chest – WANT!” After two decades of members and hotel guests asking Nick Jones and his staff where, in fact, they can buy that mattress or this dining table or that drinks cabinet, it’s finally possible to do so with the launch of sohohome.com – the group’s online homewares store. So, whether it’s a vintage Ercol coffee table or a regal green cinema footstool, you can now take a piece of the Soho House style back to your own pad. Whilst Soho House has worked with acclaimed designers such as Martin