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Soho to grow
Bar none
Rendering of Soho House Toronto , scheduled to open this autumn
Soho House Group has unveiled plans to open five new houses over the next two years , bringing the private members club — founded in London in 1995 for those in the film , media and creative industries — to four new international territories .
Soho House Toronto will mark the first debut this autumn — in a building dating back to the 1800s on Bishops Block . New openings also are confirmed for Mumbai , Chicago , Istanbul and Barcelona by the end of 2014 .
The announcement comes five months after
Los Angeles-based entrepreneur Ron Burkle acquired a major stake in the group and assumed the role of chairman . This investment , combined with what Soho House terms strong financial performance , positions the business to launch this second phase of expansion following the 2010 move into the United States and Berlin .
“ We ’ ve been working on these projects for a long time , seeking out the right properties and locations in the cities we want to be in ,” says Nick Jones , Soho House founder and CEO .
Drinks at Bar at the Beau-Rivage Palace are sprayed with a regional fruit-flavored eau de vie from an antique perfume atomizer .
The Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne , Switzerland , has invested approximately US $ 3.1 million ( 3 million Swiss francs ) in a new bar specializing in bespoke cocktails .
Named simply “ Bar ,” the space is stocked with more than 250 spirits . The Dry Martini Maison and Barrel-Aged Manhattan are among the cocktails , all of which are accompanied by a recipe for guests to take home . Once a drink has been prepared , it is lightly sprayed with a regional fruit-flavored eau de vie from an antique perfume atomizer — a nod to Coco Chanel ’ s frequent visits to the Beau-Rivage Palace ’ s bars .
Designed in partnership with Wilson Design Associates and Gorgeous Group , Bar aims to exude a modern-meetstraditional feel with period tapestry , a transparent onyx bar , antique glass vases and lighting that highlights decorative moldings and pillars .
Boasts General Manager François Dussart , “ Since it opened last April this new bar has been welcoming clientele seeking new experiences in taste and aesthetics , in a setting that places an emphasis on gesture , design and drama .”
Vanina Moreillon
The Brew ’ s resident brewmaster Leon Mickelson poses with the Trike & Trailer . |
Roll
out the
barrel
The Brew at Kerry Hotel Pudong , Shanghai wants to be more than just a gastropub that brews its own beer . The Brew has debuted what it calls Shanghai ’ s first trailerstyle mobile keg attached to a vintage sidecar motorcycle .
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The “ Trike & Trailer ” is available for rent fully loaded with any three of The Brew ’ s craft beers in addition to brewtenders , and resident brewmaster Leon Mickelson — who designed the trailer — says he has it booked for events throughout the summer .
“ To have the flexibility to think outside the box
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to design something completely unique is fantastic ,” Mickelson says , adding that most of his creativity goes toward developing new seasonal beers . “ I have a beer about to be released that has been sitting in a merlot wine barrel for the last 13 months . I have also just brewed a beer using lemongrass to flavor it .” |
14 HOTELS July / August 2012 www . hotelsmag . com |
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