The globally chic private club Soho House has extended its empire in the US once again. Now, along with those in New York, West Hollywood and Miami, the see-and-be-seen creative crowd in Chicago has a home to call its own.
The Windy City outpost, located in a six-story, century-old warehouse in the West Loop, marks Soho House’s 12th property, and at 108,000 square-feet, it’s the British-based firm’s largest.
But what makes this new addition, which opened Monday, a must-visit and a stand-out among the city’s hospitality scene? We break it down:
The exclusive-to-America food
One of the club’s restaurants, Chicken Shop, has finally crossed the pond, marking its overseas debut, to the delight of finicky foodies who had to visit one its London locations to get their poultry fix. Chicken Shop’s free-range rotisserie chicken is served whole, halved or quartered, and is the only entrée on the menu.
The birds — sourced from the second-generation family farm Pine Manor in nearby Indiana — are marinated overnight, steamed and then cooked over charcoal on a special rotisserie. Think moist and tender inside; tasty and crisp on the outside. “I love chicken; it would actually be my last meal, so I wanted to get it exactly right,” says Soho House CEO/founder Nick Jones.
A professional boxing ring
Yes, Soho House Chicago appreciates that its members may have some steam to let off, and where better than the boxing ring inside the 12,000-square-foot fitness center? And in a nod to the club’s local environs, the old-school-looking ring was fashioned by Chicago’s only tannery, the Horween Leather Company, also the oldest continuously running tannery in the US.
And of course, the fully-equipped gym has three workout studios and a steam room.
The rooftop pool
Sure, rooftop pools are not an anomaly in warm-weather cities, but when it comes to Chicago, it’s definitely a luxury. The rooftop features a 80-foot stainless steel outdoor swimming pool surrounded by chic nautical-inspired blue-striped daybeds, two fireplaces, and is adjacent to a restaurant to keep you well-fed, and more importantly, well-hydrated.
You may get whiplash fromchecking out the well-heeled crowd and the incredible view of the city’s magnificent skyline, which includes the majestic Hancock Place and Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower).
The guest rooms
The club’s 40 guest rooms (19 on the third floor and 21 on the fourth floor) are simply magnificent. Airy and a throwback to an era of simplicity and sheer elegance, they feature tufted-leather-and-velvet couches and love seats, worn rugs, vintage chandeliers, exposed brick and concrete from the original building and gorgeous natural hardwood floors.
Fancy a cup of tea or a glass of whiskey? Fear not. Crystal decanters and rocks glasses, as well as gorgeous black-and-white patterned teacups, await you.
The bar — and we’re not talking liquor
The large, walk-in, subway-tile rain-forest showers in the guest rooms are a standout based on their aesthetics and functionality alone. But then, throw in the bar of Cowshed products inside the showers, and you’re in for a bathing experience unlike no other.
Nine products from Cowshed, a luxury British beauty and lifestyle brand consisting of English-made natural and therapeutic products that are virtually impossible to find Stateside, line the shower, offering the most discerning of bathing buffs an option: There are several bath and shower gels (”soothing,” “uplifting,” “relaxing,”), shampoos (”gentle”) and a “lazy” 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner. Bottom line: Bathe according to your mood and skin type.
Info: Rooms start from $160; sohohousechicago.com