Oscuro The Arts Club LONDON Tailoring its latest hospitality offering to a new generation of London professionals, The Arts Club solidifies its legacy as a hub of creative and cultural activity. Words: Jenna Campbell • Photography: © Martin Morrrel
D
ating back to the 17th century, London’s private
members’ clubs, although famously difficult to access, have long provided a point of refuge for the
city’s most influential personalities. Often found in the affluent Mayfair district – their indisputable heartland – these cultural institutions historically served as social spaces where leading diplomats and wealthy businessmen could come together to discuss the most pressing matters of the day. Dignitaries, for example, would typically flock to St. James’s, while politicians could be found brokering a gentleman’s agreement at Reform Club, and those looking for a creative outlet would be most at home within the luxurious surroundings of The Arts Club. In recent years, as the purpose of members’ clubs has been reconsidered and contemporary interpretations like Soho House, The Wing and The Conduit have entered the fray, longstanding establishments have sought to modernise their offerings. Founded in 1863, The Arts Club, whose past members include luminaries such as Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins, has retained its original mission – to facilitate social interaction between those connected with art, literature and science – while also evolving with the tastes of its current patrons. Although a world-class art collection remains at its core, The Arts Club has expanded since 2015 to include hotel suites, a cutting-edge health and fitness centre, and now a significantly enhanced F&B offering in the form of two newly designed luxury hospitality spaces.
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