Step Inside Brooklyn and London’s Stunning New Soho House Clubs

Both the DUMBO House and White City House feature rooftop pools, jaw-dropping views, and gorgeous interiors

DUMBO House has been installed in Brooklyn’s Empire Stores, a brick-covered construction at 55 Water Street that was formerly a commercial facility for roasted coffee.

Photo: Dave Burk

Nick Jones (Soho House’s CEO and founder) is seated at Soho House’s new club, DUMBO House. He admires the vista—which extends from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Manhattan Bridge. Here, on the East River, there’s a sense of scale. “I’m a sucker for a good view,” he intimates. “We love a good view if we can get one.”

This month, Soho House has introduced two destinations—both with roof-deck pools: DUMBO House (at 55 Water Street in Brooklyn, New York) and White City House (at 101 Wood Lane in London). The brand, which has evolved since it was established in 1995, has come to include 20 clubs. “I think people use our clubs in different ways than they did 20 years ago,” shares Jones. “The young kids are more entrepreneurial. They don’t want corporate life, and I think that plays into our hands. We have a huge amount of ‘Under 27’ members and it keeps growing.”

a long gathering space with a bar on one side and windows on the other — DUMBO House’s interiors were decorated to echo the artist studios that have been in the area since the 1960s and 1970s.

Photo: Dave Burk

DUMBO House is the brand’s first club in Brooklyn—but the brand’s third club in New York. Its art is architecture-themed with a collection that includes contributions from David Adjaye, Zoe Buckman, and Steven Siegel. Its exterior and interior decoration is reminiscent of the 1960s–1970s (when the area became an enclave for artists and their studios) with “Manhattan Bridge Blue” walls that are the exact color as the Manhattan Bridge. “I always try to take something from the outside and bring it inside so that there’s a continuation,” describes Jones. “We wanted it to be contemporary but, at the same time, incredibly comfortable. I think contemporary sometimes leads to discomfort. I think it’s still got a very clubby, lush feel about it, but in a modern way.”

a roof-top pool surrounded by lounge chairs with umbrellas — White City House’s tenth-floor deck area is dressed with 1960s-themed chaises and umbrellas and Terrazzo-tile floors.

Photo: Simon Brown

White City House has been installed in West London’s Television Centre. Architect Graham Dawbarn’s iconic construction, which encircles a statue of Helios, was BBC’s home from 1960 to 2013. In the three-floor club area as well as in the 45 bedrooms, there’s a 1950s vibe with accents that include oakwood walls and terrazzo-tile floors. There are, also, references to the BBC—including a front desk that resembles a TV studio and House Canteen restaurant’s “Dear Tony Hart” art installation (which is dedicated to the BBC’s famous illustrator). “What we tried to do was pay homage to the fact that it was built in the late 1950s without being retro and without trying to be too quiche about it,” describes Jones. “And there’s a lot of TV stuff.”

Hey, it’s summer. And this is where those who are suckers for a good view—or suckers for a good view and roof-deck pools—will be.

DUMBO House: