Deluxe at Devonshire
A gorgeous private members club known as Devonshire Club has been brought to London, offering a full service luxury lifestyle venue featuring private meeting rooms and bars, a lavish spa and a charming winter garden area.
Located in the heart of the City, two Grade II listed buildings make up the venue, including a six-storey building that comprises a 120-seat brasserie, cocktail bar, four private dining rooms and 68 luxury bedrooms and suites.
The second building which is smaller encompasses four storeys, in the form of what was previously a Georgian house. This particular space houses the spa area with four treatment rooms, a beauty salon, private gym and a cigar bar.
Creative real estate consultancy SUSD London worked on the architectural aspects at Devonshire Club, providing a spectacular finished product. Founded by Harry Harris in 2004, SUSD Ltd specialises in renovating period properties and bringing new ideas to existing communities.
SUSD has been involved with the project concept, putting it together and the financial structure of the project – so it has involved more than just an architectural role, which is typical of SUSD’s work.
Harry Harris, Managing Director at SUSD London, told Premier Hospitality:
“Working on the project took place through my relationship with the Blackstone Group – who own the whole estate – they asked if I was interested in putting together a private members club for two of the buildings onsite, so we went about looking at the concept for that. We have teamed up with Brian Clivaz who is the CEO and operator of the Club.
“Visitors enter through a reception area, with the main club lounge also on the ground floor, equipped with comfortable sofas for relaxing and socialising. Also situated on the ground floor are the main club bar and the brasserie with an oyster bar and this links onto the private garden space. There are three further members spaces on the first floor; the causerie, cocktail bar and library bar.
“The delightful garden has been built to be in use for all-year-round dining, in a glazed steel and glass structure.
“We recognised that the city of London is changing form the historic male-dominated environment and we wanted to appeal to the rising numbers of women that work in the city. We have a women’s committee that is made up of influential businesswomen that promote women’s interests and female membership to the club.”
Interior Designers March & White delivered with the interior design elements, working alongside the main contractor, ISG. Developments began onsite in March 2015 and were complete in May this year.
Harry commented:
“We have worked very closely with March & White using designs from a fashion house that originated in the 60s and the daughter of the originator of that house has all of the old print books, so we used the original print fabrics and designs throughout the club, reflecting a mid-century modern feel. The look we have gone for is elegant and glamourous.”
A distinctive library bar at Devonshire Club acts as a quiet library area in the day and transforms into the perfect party destination at night. This flexible space provides something quite different to the venue, with its charismatic design that is apparent when in use as a library and also when in use as a bar in the evening.
Harry added:
“There are very few outside spaces in this part of London, (public or private) so I think for us to have a garden which is largely south-facing, is quite unique.
“It means a lot to be involved in this project – it has been very nice to introduce a luxury members club into the city of London, and with it being something that’s a little different it has made it even more special.”
For room bookings visit www.devonshire.club or call +44 (0)20 3750 4545. The Devonshire Club Rooms and Suites can also be booked by travel agents via GDS.
