London's Wolseley to Open NYC Hotel and Exclusive Club

The renowned London establishment, The Wolseley, is set to make its New York City debut with a new hotel and exclusive members' club in Midtown. This expansion by Minor International, the hospitality group that owns The Wolseley, marks a significant step in what appears to be a growing trend of high-end British hospitality brands establishing a presence in Manhattan.

The new venture will be located in the landmarked Lambs Building on West 44th Street, a historic structure designed by Gilded Age architect Stanford White in 1905. The building previously housed The Lambs Club, a theater group's clubhouse whose members included figures like Charlie Chaplin and George Gershwin. The restaurant and bar at The Lambs Club closed earlier this year.

Minor International, which acquired London's Wolseley in 2022, plans to open the New York hotel and club next year. While details about the club's pricing and specific offerings are not yet available, a spokesperson for Minor International indicated the project aims to bring together diverse individuals from various professional fields. The hotel itself will bear the Wolseley name, marking its first appearance as a hotel brand.

This influx of British establishments extends beyond The Wolseley. Maison Estelle, another London-based private club company, is reportedly preparing to open in the Flatiron district next year. The club is converting a Gothic Revival church that was once home to the infamous Limelight nightclub, a venue known for its parties in the 1980s and 90s and patrons like Andy Warhol. Maison Estelle's London outpost has an annual membership fee of approximately $7,900.

Additionally, Annabel's, a well-known London club frequented by celebrities and royalty, is also planning a New York City branch. It will occupy a landmarked factory building on Hudson and West 13th Streets, featuring a rooftop pavilion for its members. Membership at Annabel's UK location costs around $3,600 annually, with a dress code emphasizing smart attire.

These British ventures are arriving in a New York City market that has already seen a surge in members-only clubs, including domestic establishments like Casa Cipriani and Zero Bond, which have become popular among celebrities and public figures.

Ben-Josef Group Holdings, a New York-based developer, acquired the Lambs Building for $53.2 million in October of the previous year. Minor International, headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand, operates a global portfolio of hospitality properties.