The rumour mill was rife in 2021 with whispers that Soho House could be making its way up North for the first time ever and finishing touches are now fully underway and applications now open. And to be honest, it wasn’t surprising, given that other luxury London establishments – including Sexy Fish – have begun to see the value in Manchester as the second city, so why not the sophisticated member’s club Soho House?
Operating 13 venues across the South, Soho House’s expansion to Manchester will mark its first move up North – following decades of global success in cosmopolitan cities such as New York, Hollywood, Mykonos and Barcelona. In November, Soho House revealed an artist’s impression of the design for its Manchester venue, with members set to be able to see stunning views of the city’s iconic landmarks up high, sat by the pool.
We now have further updates, along with new design renders, on the luxury gym, sauna and studio space, as well as the classic Soho House member’s-only lounge. On the first floor, an extensive members’ gym will include a free weights area, boxing zone, studio space, steam, sauna and an outdoor terrace. Changing rooms will have showers, vanity areas and lounge spaces for members to unwind after training.
Taking up residence in the former Granada TV studios in Spinningfields, the new venue will bring the elements that fans of the luxury pad will know and love already – including a luxurious rooftop pool and bar area, event spaces, wellness facilities and a bar and dining room. Soho House has also confirmed that there will be 23 bedrooms on the sixth floor designed specifically for members, ranging from Cosy to Large suites which will have freestanding baths and living space. This floor also includes an 80sq meter private apartment with an open plan living room with kitchenette, dining table and lounge area and a connecting second bedroom.
There will be a flexible events space on the seventh floor with a large central bar and DJ booth. The plans were officially submitted to Manchester City Council in 2020, with a number of member’s events taking place in the city in the run-up to the opening, which has been confirmed to open in late 2023.
The main members’ Club space on the eighth floor will comprise of a casual bar and lounge area and a more formal dining space run by Head Chef James Lord, who will be returning home to Manchester after a period at 76 Dean Street in London. The east-facing wall has a retractable roof with an awning which will be opened up in warmer weather to maximise the views across the city.
Towards the back of the space, an indoor pool lounge area will connect to the outdoor rooftop pool which has sunbeds and a bar on the terrace. A spiral staircase connects to the ninth floor above which includes a late-night bar and live music space that overlooks the rooftop pool.
The interiors of Soho House Manchester will take inspiration from the history of the Old Granada Studios and its 1950’s-1960’s heritage, with an eclectic collection of bespoke and vintage furniture pieces which reference the era of the building.
Kate Bryan, Global Art Director at Soho House, and her team are in the process of curating an art collection for the House which focuses on artists who are born, based or trained in and around Manchester. Confirmed artists include museum-level talent such as Lubaina Himid, Mary Ramsden, Thomas Heatherwick, Osman Yousefzada and Ryan Gander.
Additionally, guests will be able to dine at their in-house Italian, Cecconi’s, as well as Mollie’s Motel & Diner next door – which is an affordable motel-diner concept designed by Soho House. Mollie’s Manchester will boast upwards of 140 rooms, a 164-cover diner restaurant, cocktail bar, event space, lounge, workplace and an outdoor terrace, and will be the third and largest Mollie’s venue to date.
An opening date is yet to be announced, however, it’s been confirmed that Soho House Manchester will open later this year, with applications now open here. Membership includes access to the House with up to three guests, daily member event programming, and access to the members-only gym. Membership will cost £2,750 a year for access to 41 Soho Houses globally, and £1,800 a year for access to Soho House Manchester only, with a reduced rate for under-27 members.