Unless my literary career takes off, or I make a surprise mid-life career change and become an award-winning actor, director, artist or musician, it’s unlikely they’ll ever let me into The Groucho. Although significantly less stuffy than the long-standing gentlemen’s clubs of the city, they are still rather particular about who is admitted. But while I may never get to hob-nob with the luminaries of the creative arts during opening hours, in the execution of my duties for We Heart I do get to have a good look around when no-one else is there. A bit like the cleaner.
The reason we are poking our noses in at The Groucho Club is the major renovation by design studio Michaelis Boyd, to mark the club’s 30th anniversary this year. The revamp began with a modest plan to add a lift to the building, but things escalated and the whole building has been given the treatment. Michaelis Boyd’s brief was to retain the essential spirit of the club, so a sensitive refurbishment — including the restoration of many off the building’s original features — was preferred over a root and branch redesign. Key changes include the ornate plaster ceiling, curved blue banquettes and Brazilian marble tables in the Mary Lou room, new bar layouts, and the introduction of antique and custom-designed furniture by the likes of Tom Dixon. The club’s curator Nicky Carter was heavily involved in the process, ensuring that The Groucho’s impressive art collection was a central element in every room. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a series of best-selling but critically-acclaimed novels to write…
@michaelisboyd
@GrouchoClubSoho
Photography, Richard Lewisohn
