I’m not sure if you feel the same way, but when it comes to hotel design, Soho House pretty much nails it every time.
So it’s no wonder that, when Soho House & Co and New York’s Sydell Group met to work on a hotel with a collection of restaurants, member’s club and spa in the city of London, the outcome of that partnership would be just fantastic. And so, The Ned was born. A perfect creative partnership between two high players in the international hotel industry.
The Architecture & Design
“The property had been empty for nearly eighty years but there was something about it – the details and scale of it – you can’t help but fall in love with it”, says founder of Soho House & Co Nick Jones. Because of the size of the building, the old Midland Bank and the project’s details Nick was fantasizing about it was necessary to bring a partner on board: the Sydell Group, who are responsible for projects like The NoMad in Manhattan and The Line in Los Angeles were a perfect match.
The old Midland Bank was built by Sir Edwin “Ned” Lutyens in 1924. Vaulted ceilings, striking green verdite columns, original double-height iron windows casting light throughout the building and lots of lovely design details make it an incredible experience for any architecture lovers.
THE ROOMS AND RESTAURANTS
The space features nine restaurants and 252 bedrooms in eight different categories, all featuring in 1920ies and 30ies glamorous vintage and bespoke design pieces. Glass Chandeliers, bespoke wallpaper, plenty of texture and pattern. The smallest category “The Crash Pad” is just under 20 square meters and perfect for short stays. All bathrooms contain walk-in rainforest showers, some also a free standing bathtub along with a range of Cowshed products.
Ned’s Club
The Ned’s Club Upstairs features a heated pool, that overlooks the London skyline and outdoor terraces for eating and drinking. Even in the colder months, The Roof Bar offers delicious drinks and food, but most importantly a stunning view of the city and St Paul’s Cathedral.
The Ned’s Club Downstairs has overtaken the whole of the first basement floor and includes The Long Bar, The Vault, The Parlor, a lounge space, The Dining Room, a restaurant serving international menu, The Kennels, three booths for meetings and dining, The Snug and The Sitting Room.
The Ned’s Secrets: The Vault
On your visit, make sure to visit the Vault Door, once the entrance to the bank’s vault, guarding deposits of more than £335 million, and now the cozy club space for Ned’s Club member and hotel guests. The Ned’s vault door is a must-see for movie nerds, one of only two ever made – it was used as inspiration for the vault in the 1964 James Bond film, Goldfinger.
Address: The Ned, 27 Poultry, London EC2R 8AJ
www.thened.com
All pictures: The Ned, London
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