Stockholm, Sweden

Soho House

The Nordics • See & do • Soho House in Stockholm, Sweden

What’s the member’s club in a nutshell?

The young, urban creative class is catered to by the international private member’s club Soho House, which has made its way to Stockholm. In the neighbourhood of Östermalm, a former church from the 1800s has been outfitted with Soho House’s distinctive brand of “eclectic cosy”, and the renovated church hall now houses a sizable space for people to eat, drink, unwind, and socialise in. There’s also an intimate library and bar area and an outdoor courtyard. Cecconi’s, a club restaurant built around an open kitchen, is located downstairs.

What is the look and feel of the place?

The chandelier is the centrepiece of Soho House Stockholm. Swedish-Danish design team Olsson and Bradfield created the massive, geometrical fixture with four tiers of linen. Carefully chosen sofas, chairs, tables, and pouffes, many of which were made to order or purchased from vintage dealers throughout Scandinavia for the occasion, are bathed in its gentle light. Among the furniture is custom furniture covered in Josef Frank’s iconic prints, created in partnership with the renowned Swedish design firm Svenskt Tenn. Stockholm is no different from other Soho Houses in having outstanding art collections. Carsten Höller, Anna Bjerger, Fredrik Söderberg, and the artistic partnership of Nathalie Djurberg and Hans Berg all contributed pieces to the exhibition.

What is the architecture like?

An architectural competition for a new church on Majorsgatan in Östermalm was announced by the Methodist church in 1893. The church’s plans were created by Johan Nordqvist, and Johan Laurentz, a rival architect, created the facade designs. In the years 1893–1894, the church was constructed in neo-Gothic design. Red brick is the primary building material, and sandstone and limestone are used for decorative accents. In 2014, it was converted into a private residence by renowned Swedish director Jonas Kerlund, who most recently owned it. Many of the original architectural details from when it was first built in the late 1800s still exist today.

What’s the neighbourhood like?

Östermalm in Stockholm, Sweden, is often perceived as the city’s most upscale yet subdued district. But beneath its refined exterior lies a dynamic scene. The district surprises with an array of chic bars, top-tier restaurants and boutique shops. Key attractions such as the renowned Östermalm Saluhall food hall, the impressive Royal Dramatic Theatre, the Bergius botanic garden and the expansive Humlegården park show that Östermalm successfully merges Stockholm’s historic charm with contemporary appeal.