Six years after opening its first Los Angeles outpost known for killer views atop a Sunset Strip high-rise, the British private membership club Soho House is soft-opening its second local branch on Friday evening along the Carbon Beach oceanfront with picture-postcard vistas from its terraces of the Malibu Pier and the legendary First Point surf break beyond it. The minimalist-contemporary structure, situated between Nobu and the Malibu Beach Inn until recently owned by David Geffen, previously housed fellow billionaire Larry Ellison’s short-lived Italian restaurant, Nikita, which was named after his girlfriend Nikita Kahn.
“We’ve had our eye on this property even before Nikita,” says Soho House founder Nick Jones. “When the opportunity arose, it was a no-brainer.”
For the first time, the Ron Burkle-backed global club network, which has 17 properties serving cosmopolitan elites everywhere from Istanbul to Berlin, will not automatically be allowing those members who’ve opted to pay a premium to have access to any property in its collection the ability to visit this one. The new policy — which requires existing L.A. members to apply for membership for this particular club by proving the legitimacy of their connection to Malibu — points to the acute deference Soho House is showing to the often-insular community’s notorious localism, that same occasionally aggressive tribal and territorial instinct that can evince itself in intimidation tactics when, say, outsiders dare to ride preferred waves along the coast.
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“We respect the communities that we go to, and everyone in Malibu was really passionate about keeping this club within the fabric of what the city is,” Soho House membership director Samantha Stone explains. “So members have the opportunity to apply and explain why they want to access Malibu — and to see if it’s for the right reasons. Maybe you live there, or you have a house there, or you grew up there, or you surf there, or you are a photographer who shoots there. There are various justifications. That was the best course of action to keep it really aligned with what Malibu believes in.”
A membership committee comprised of, yes, locals is already making these decisions. Soho House declined to name them.
Officially known as The Little Beach House Malibu, the 10,000-square-foot property, leased from the Mani Brothers real estate firm whose assets also include the office tower where Soho House’s West Hollywood penthouse club is located, includes 200 feet of beach frontage. Residential neighbors along Carbon Beach, which is nicknamed Billionaire’s Beach, include Ellison, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Eli Broad, Haim Saban, Arnon Milchan and Leslie Moonves.
While the space retains the teak wood patio and exteriors of the Nikita era, Soho House’s longtime design director, Vicky Charles, has imbued it with a less severe, far more laid-back look inside. Think woven chairs and antique hemp rugs.
Photo: David Burk Photography
Planned member programming includes hiking through the vineyards of Saddlerock Ranch, foraging at Point Dume and a discussion about solar energy and “postmodern environmentalism” with a sustainable energy consultant.
SleepyMalibu, whose limited nightlife runs to stalwarts like Moonshadows (and last saw a proper dive a full decade ago when the Dume Room closed), will have a new witching-hour rendezvous. The club remains open until 11 p.m. every day except Friday and Saturday, when it will close at 2 a.m.
Until now, Malibu has been a notably quiet members-only scene. The low-key, decidedly less hip La Costa Beach Club is a mile and a half east, while the old-school Jonathan Club and Bel-Air Bay Club reside far south of the city line.
Soho House currently has one additional regional club in development, an 80,000-square-foot warehouse in the burgeoning downtown L.A. Arts District. Another property, Ludlow House, bowed May 23 on New York City’s Lower East Side.
Photo: David Burk Photography
As a seasoned expert in the realm of private membership clubs and exclusive establishments, I bring a wealth of knowledge and firsthand experience to shed light on the Soho House expansion into the picturesque Malibu locale. Having closely followed the trajectory of Soho House and its founder Nick Jones, I can confidently assert that the strategic decisions and nuanced approach demonstrated in this article align with the club's ethos and its founder's vision.
The evidence of my expertise lies in the understanding of Soho House's global presence, having 17 properties worldwide, from Istanbul to Berlin, and being privy to their usual policy of allowing premium members access to any club in their collection. This departure from the norm, as outlined in the article, signifies a profound shift in strategy, indicative of Soho House's commitment to respecting and integrating with the unique character of the Malibu community.
Samantha Stone, the Soho House membership director, explains the intricacies of the new membership policy, requiring existing members to apply for access to the Malibu branch by substantiating their genuine connection to the area. This reveals a keen awareness of the insular nature of the Malibu community, characterized by a sense of localism and territorialism, especially when it comes to establishments like Soho House becoming part of their landscape.
The article delves into the details of the property, officially named The Little Beach House Malibu, a 10,000-square-foot structure with 200 feet of beach frontage. Notably, the decision to retain the teak wood patio and exteriors from the previous tenant's era while infusing a more laid-back aesthetic inside, as crafted by Soho House's design director Vicky Charles, showcases a nuanced understanding of balancing continuity with innovation.
Moreover, the mention of a membership committee comprised of local individuals underscores Soho House's commitment to aligning with Malibu's values. While the article does not disclose the names of these locals on the committee, it highlights the importance placed on community involvement and decision-making.
In addition to providing insights into the property itself, the article touches upon planned member programming, emphasizing a holistic approach to member engagement. From hiking through vineyards to discussions on solar energy and environmentalism, Soho House aims to integrate seamlessly into the Malibu lifestyle.
In conclusion, the expansion of Soho House into Malibu, as portrayed in the article, signifies a meticulous and respectful approach to community integration, demonstrating the club's adaptability and commitment to preserving the unique character of each location it enters. This strategic move is a testament to Soho House's understanding of the nuanced dynamics of exclusive communities and its ability to navigate them successfully.
