Global Social Club Coming to French Quarter in Downtown Charleston

Charleston creatives will soon have a new place to eat, drink, relax, work and have fun when London-based Soho House comes to town.

Plans are in the works to bring the concept to the Wagener Building located at 161 E. Bay St. in Charleston’s historic French Quarter. The three-story Victorian, built in 1880 by F.W. Wagener & Co., first housed a wholesale grocery and retail store and more recently was home to the South End Brewery and Lagunitas Brewing.

Soho House Founder Nick Jones opened the first house at 40 Greek Street in London’s Soho section in 1995, above his restaurant Cafe Boheme, describing it as “accidental.”

“My landlord phoned and asked if I would take the floors above. Soho was full of creatives then and I just wanted people to go in, have fun and meet each other,” he said.

Today, the Soho House has grown to include more than 41 locations in 17 countries across the globe.

Charleston Plans

Plans for the Charleston location will include a rooftop bar with skyline views, a restaurant and two floors of members-only space. According to a Soho House spokesperson, the Soho House Design Team will draw inspiration from Charleston’s rich history, southern charm, and creative spirit to develop a vibrant coastal locale to eat, drink and unwind, while honoring the building’s historic details.

Officials add that the Charleston opening date is on track for 2024 and further plans will be revealed as they come into focus. In the meantime, creatives are encouraged to apply for the “Cities without Houses” membership, which will give them access to all Soho House locations and local events hosted by Soho House.

A Coveted Membership

The Soho House touts a waiting list of 89,000 as of July 2023, an all-time high according to officials. Potential members are required to work in the creative field, fill out a lengthy application and agree to the membership price ranging from $1,225 to $2,500 depending on the type they choose: Every House, Cities without Houses, and Under 27.

A membership opens the doors to houses around the world which feature onsite restaurants, gyms, accommodations, spas, events and more.

Jon Morgan is a Washington, D.C. CEO of Venture Smarter, a consulting firm that specializes in helping startups and small businesses scale and grow. He calls the networking opportunities offered by the Soho House unparalleled.

“My membership allows me to meet like-minded individuals who share a passion for entrepreneurship and innovation. It fosters a vibrant atmosphere where ideas can be exchanged, collaborations can be formed and valuable relationships can be built,” he said. Morgan said that he also appreciates the well-appointed working spaces, inviting lounges and restaurants that he describes “top notch.”

Additional amenities, according to Morgan, are workshops, events and talks that are offered. “They cover a broad spectrum of topics, from art and design to technology and business and provide ample opportunities for learning and staying updated on industry trends,” he said.

Bogdan Marinescu is the founder of Digital Trails, a London-based marketing agency. Marinescu travels quite a bit, taking advantage of his membership by accessing workspaces across the globe. “It feels like a home away from home whenever I’m there and I can go to the gym in the morning, work throughout the day, do some post-work networking, head to the cinema and have a spa session — it’s all in there,” he said.