Simply Abu Dhabi XXVII

2 4 8 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I with the membership, there are between 40 and 45 events every month.” So, after you’ve been to the immaculate gym, enjoyed a movie in the exquisite lamp-lit crushed velvet surroundings of the 36-seat cinema and chilled out in the Green Room speakeasy bar, you can join a talk or a tour. These events cover a range of intellectual and creative themes such as architectural walks through Gaudí’s masterpieces or professional photography tutorials. There are also sunrise yoga sessions, sundown DJ sets, masterclasses on mindfulness and informal laughs at trivia nights. “As a local member or as a hotel guest you can participate in our specialist events during your stay here with us – you can have a cooking class with the chef, enjoy a lecture or join an off-site event, such as visiting the David Bowie exhibition,” van Batenburg explains. Soho House has always been famous for celeb-spotting and there have been plenty of impromptu performances from visiting or resident stars, but this is not something they choose to shout about. As van Batenburg comments, “One of the reasons why we’re so successful is because we protect the privacy of our members. It’s a club for creative souls so by default we have lots of people that are in the film and music industry; some of them are well known, some of them are up-and-coming.” There are around 50,000 Soho House members worldwide and joining involves completing an application form supported by recommendations from two current members, which is then considered by a committee. Desire is strong and there are an estimated 30,000 people currently on a waiting list for membership. There is occasionally a misperception that Soho House is elitist, but it is not the case. “The membership fees are very affordable ( € 1500 for local membership and € 1800 for global), so it’s not for the elite at all,” explains van Batenburg, adding, “It’s a misperception, definitely. It’s not about the fortune that you have, the money that you make or any other social status… It’s really about whether you are a creative soul.” More properties are in the pipeline as Soho House is powering through a stage of aggressive expansion. New openings are planned in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Hong Kong and Tokyo – the latter involving a collaboration with the renowned minimalist architect Tadao Ando. Wherever a Soho House appears, expect crucial elements of that city’s vernacular allied with an enduring British style to create a uniquely impressive and harmonious result that is sympathetic both to the region and to the building itself. But above all, expect a refined and cosy space to meet like-minded new friends. As Nick Jones concludes, “Our houses are in diverse locations, but our mission has always been the same: to create a comfortable home from home for our members.”