The Ned Washington DC: Heritage Meets Luxe Social Club
Introduction
The Ned Washington DC represents a bold evolution of the Soho House group’s signature private club experience. Perched on the ninth floor of the restored art-deco Walker Building, members arrive via a grand, original lobby and ascend into a series of curated interior spaces that offer sweeping views of the White House, Capitol dome, and Washington Monument. Every element is thoughtfully layered—from De Gournay hand-painted wallpaper referencing cherry blossoms to blue-green striped walls echoing the Obama-era Oval Office. Crafted by Soho House Design and Stonehill Taylor, the club blends the traditional British country-house sensibility with American Federal design traditions. The result is a social hub that feels both intimately domestic and monumentally civic, rooted in its locale while embracing a global lifestyle aesthetic.
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Historical Restoration & Architectural Dialogue
Restoration efforts preserved the Walker Building’s curved windows, ornate balustrades, and cast-iron columns—physical anchors that speak to Washington DC’s architectural legacy. These restored elements inform the club’s spatial rhythm. Marble floors transition seamlessly between levels, with stops at spaces defined by original archways and restored detailing. The club occupies floors nine to twelve, with floors nine through twelve unified through structural integration into the adjacent American Security Bank Building, expanding usable space while maintaining historic integrity.
Curated Interiors: Symbolism & Craft
Many interior decisions are deliberately referential. Vintage mantels, striped wallpapers, and carpets echoing the Kennedy White House infuse the spaces with presidential resonance. Hand-painted walls by De Gournay celebrate Washington’s iconic cherry blossoms. Materials like walnut burl wood, Cathedral glass, and brass screens demonstrate a high level of artisanal attention. Custom furniture pieces and Sculptural window displays shaped like Giza’s pyramids complete the layered narrative—every surface expresses context, craft, or story.
Program & Spatial Variety
Ned’s DC spans multiple floors and zones:
| Floor / Zone | Function | Design Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 9th floor events | Meetings, private events | Dark wood paneling, grand staircases, ornate chandeliers |
| Parlour | Conversation lounge | Soft seating, green-hued walls, fireplace, artwork from female artists |
| Conservatory & terrace | Daytime dining + botanically rich space | Lush plants under tall arches, wicker furniture |
| Rooftop restaurant | Dinner & evening socializing | Bright palette, ceiling mural, wraparound views over DC landmarks |
| Club bar | Casual drinks | Blue-green stripes inspired by Oval Office décor, stained-glass windows |
This layering ensures a dynamic member journey—spaces evolve acoustically, visually, and atmospherically as one moves through floors.
Cultural Narratives in Art & Decoration
Kate Bryan curated two intentional art collections. The First 47 features work by 47 women, countering the exclusively male roster of US presidents. This echoes Soho House’s earlier focus on female voices (e.g., Vault 100). Local artists also contribute site-specific works that reinforce narratives of identity, place, and dialogue. The art doesn’t merely decorate—it anchors the club in civic and cultural discourse.
Design Critiques & Insights
- Contextual resonance vs. branding: The Ned DC treads a fine line between storytelling and trope. Does referencing Kennedy and Obama risk sentimentality? Yet the execution is measured, integrated through materials and scale rather than cliché.
- Spatial flow: Retaining original architectural elements fosters a sense of layered discovery and respect for history.
- Material richness: Rich woods, bespoke glasswork, and wallpaper illustrate high design intent—but how will these materials age under heavy use? Long-term integration needs protective strategies.
✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight
This project thoughtfully merges Washington’s architectural heritage with a modern private club’s programming and brand identity. The retention of historic features provides strong contextual grounding, while layered interior moments—from wallpaper to art—activate civic memory. Yet, one might ask whether the aesthetic emphasis on political history outweighs functional adaptability. Overall, The Ned Washington DC succeeds in translating an iconic address into a richly narrative, spatial experience—offering valuable lessons for heritage-led hospitality design.
Conclusion
The Ned Washington DC stands as an exemplar of how heritage buildings can be reimagined for contemporary social use. Through careful restoration, contextual interior design, and curated art, the club weaves presidential references, local craft, and modern lifestyle seamlessly together. It also raises key questions about balance: between narrative and utility, between material richness and wearability, between indulging story and designing space. As a private club model anchored in social interaction, it redefines what membership spaces can offer—above history, beyond hospitality. Architects and designers can draw from its layered strategy for future adaptive-reuse projects, especially in civic or historic-adjacent contexts.
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The photography is by Frank Frances.
