New British Nightlife Ventures in NYC
There’s quite a buzz about a new hotel and exclusive nightclub making their debut in Midtown, continuing what some might call a British influx into New York City’s nightlife scene.
Minor International, the company behind London’s upscale Wolseley restaurant—where a simple afternoon tea can set you back more than $65—is renovating the historic Lambs Building for their upcoming project, which is set to open next year.
This development is part of a broader trend, as yet another London private club, Maison Estelle, is preparing to establish itself in Flatiron next year. Not to be outdone, Annabel’s—an elite British club that famously caters to celebrities and royals—is also opening a location just a few blocks away.
The site chosen by Minor International previously housed the Chatwal Hotel, situated on West 44th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues. The 10-story establishment will span about 75,000 square feet and is expected to reflect the same luxury that patrons of the Wolseley in London have come to expect since its acquisition by Minor in 2022.
A spokesperson from the hospitality group, headquartered in Bangkok and operating globally, has refrained from disclosing specifics about the forthcoming “members club” within the hotel. Interestingly, this will be the first hotel in the U.S. to bear the Wolseley name.
Regardless of its final form, the club will carry a rich historic backdrop.
Originally constructed in 1905 by the infamous architect Stanford White, the building was designed as a gathering spot for a theater group that included notable figures like Charlie Chaplin, Fred Astaire, and George Gershwin. Although the group, named the Lambs, has been absent for around 50 years, the space has historically drawn in customers by celebrating that legacy. The Lambs Club Restaurant & Bar, known for its “retro glamour,” held its last gala over the summer.
Minor’s CEO, Dillip Rajakarier, seems enthusiastic about upholding this legacy, stating, “What excites us most is bringing together people who might not otherwise find themselves in the same room: founders and artists, producers and investors, hoteliers and philanthropists, established voices and emerging talent.”
Plans for the hotel include holding literary salons and hosted dinners, though it remains to be seen what kind of revelry the club might foster.
In a notable move, Ben-Josef Group Holdings, a New York-based property developer, purchased the building for $53.2 million last October. The terms of the lease between the developer and Minor are still unclear.
It appears that these British newcomers have a keen sense for local history. Maison Estelle is reportedly transitioning from a Gothic Revival church that once hosted the notorious Limelight nightclub, which was infamous for its drug-laden foam parties and celebrity guests like Andy Warhol. Membership fees at Maison’s London outpost hover around $7,900 annually, though the pricing in the U.S. remains unknown.
Reportedly, the company intends to transform the historic site into a full-service restaurant in addition to a club.
Last summer, residents in the Upper East Side expressed considerable concern when Maison sought a liquor license for a terrace to host parties among a quiet area of townhouses, leading the club to pivot and establish itself in Flatiron instead.
Meanwhile, Annabel’s is on track to open in a landmarked factory building located on Hudson and West 13th Streets, complete with a rooftop space for its private club members.
Annabel’s claims to curate its members based on a concept of “alchemy,” with its annual membership costing around $3,600 for those in London. The dress code there is described as “smart, clean and in good repair,” with certain restrictions on attire such as banning shorts for men and keeping skin exposure to a minimum.
NYC has witnessed a surge of members-only clubs rising to prominence—both British and otherwise. Establishments like Casa Cipriani and Zero Bond have become favored spots for A-list celebrities and notable figures, including former Mayor Eric Adams.
