The Other House, South Kensington
The Other House is a new lifestyle brand of Residents’ Clubs aimed at redefining the hospitality market, combining home comforts and apartment-style living with hotel services.
Think hotel meets private club, The Other House bears comparison to Soho House or the Arts Club in Mayfair, although that is strictly for members and their guests, or to the recently closed Devonshire Club in the City (one of our favourites).
The main difference here is scale.
The Other House connects 11 Georgian townhouses and provides over 100 rooms, or club flats as they’re known.
It has private facilities for members’ use – staying guests qualify as members – and a large ground floor restaurant that is open to the public.
The Other House concept, shaped through a residential lens rather than from a conventional hotel approach, therefore brings a unique perspective to the hospitality sector.
Offering club flats and a private club, any length stays and access to hotel-style services on demand.
In this respect it is the first of this type of accommodation that the UK has seen.
It is cool, intriguing, bold and committed to sustainability.
Launched in 2019, The Other House is a joint venture partnership between London Central Portfolio (LCP), leading real estate investment advisory in Prime Central London and APG, the largest pension provider in the Netherlands.
Now open in South Kensington, with Covent Garden and Belgravia to follow, further openings are planned in central London and internationally.
The interior design narrative draws on the local culture of South Kensington – a unique area brimming with art, design and tradition.
The spirit of whimsy and English eccentricity was the starting point for The Other House, guided by beguiling gardens, interesting architecture and the language of arches.
Created for those looking for flexibility and style and who embrace responsibility and slow travel, The Other House has established signature and sustainable vernacular spaces designed by Bergman Design House, in collaboration with founder Naomi Heaton, which convey elegance and authenticity.
The experience for guests focuses on ‘approachable luxury’ bringing the magic of London inside.
Art at The Other House
Bergman Design House, the design studio behind the interiors of The Other House, were commissioned to curate the property’s unique art collection.
The creation of Bergman co-founder and artist Marie Soliman, the works are a bespoke update of over 100 existing 18th century oil paintings.
Soliman has combined bold, bright colours and a sense of humour with the muted oil paintings, breathing new life into the pieces while creating a cohesive scheme in every room.
“I was honoured to be asked by Naomi Heaton, founder of The Other House, to create this very special collection as an extension of our interior design work for The Other House.”
“Mirroring the property itself – which is a modern city oasis within a storied Georgian building – we opted for a handpicked selection by Melinda Ashton Turner of discarded 18th century oil paintings as a basis for the collection.
“The vision was to give these old treasures a very 21st century update through a rich and colourful paint ‘upcycle’ before blending them into each room scheme… and giving them a second chance at life!”
Marie Soliman, CEO and Founder, Bergman Design House.
The collection of over 100 original artworks in gold gilt frames was carefully selected by Melinda Ashton Turner over several months across the UK and France’s many auctions, markets and antique shops to meet the brief.
The updated pieces now proudly hang across The Other House, with highlights include a distinguished-looking gentleman in gold dollar-sign chains and a still life floral arrangement featuring a rainbow of geometric new stems.
“Capturing the spirit of whimsy seen throughout our interiors, Marie’s imaginative upcycling of these vintage oil paintings, is completely in-tune with The Other House’s cool, eccentric, flamboyant aesthetic”. commented Naomi Heaton, CEO and Founder of The Other House.
“They also perfectly reflect our firm commitment to sustainability.”
Photography:
Bedrooms, bathrooms & Suites: Jack Hardy
Other interiors: Bergman Design House