Last year it was announced that London's The Arts Club would be opening its first international outpost in Dubai – making it one of the most highly anticipated launches of the year.
Since then, the world-famous private members' club has been teasing details about its upcoming launch, believed to be in October, to eager residents.
"So far, everything is going according to plan. We were very fortunate that materials and objects we were sourcing from Italy, where our designers are based, managed to get here before Europe shut down," a company representative had told The National.
The Arts Club has revealed more details about the interiors and facilities at Brookfield Place, its luxe development in DIFC.
The club in Dubai will be set over four floors, and occupy a little more than 6,000 square metres. The premium space will also feature four meeting spaces and private dining areas, five lounges, three restaurants (including the much-loved Brasserie from London and two home-grown concepts), a library, a rooftop terrace, a nightclub, a cigar lounge, and a blank canvas events space.
A design firm from Milan, Dimorestudio, has been commissioned to design the club's interiors which will feature "strong textures and playful patterns". It will also boast a collection of Art Deco furniture and lighting.
There will be a 2,135-square metre rooftop, with views of the Burj Khalifa, which will house the nightclub with international DJs headlining intimate sets when the venue opens, in line with UAE regulations.
The rooftop will also be home to the club's cigar lounge, which will extend into the terrace with adjoining private cabanas. Finally, an outdoor terrace lounge will run the length of the building, with Downtown Dubai views.
The cultural programme will be an important part of The Arts Club experience, with talks, tastings, exhibitions, studio tours, workshops and panel discussions to be organised.
Seasonal events will also be celebrated throughout the year, with parties and family-style brunches on weekends.
Membership will be split into four categories: full, second (for married couples), under 30s and international. For the full membership, there is a one-off Dh15,750 joining fee and a Dh15,750 annual fee; the under 30s membership is Dh7,875 for the joining fee and Dh7,785 for the annual fee.
The second membership does not require the joining fee, and the annual fee is Dh7,875, and the international membership can be added to all three tiers of membership and the annual fee is Dh5,780.
The Arts Club has a prestigious history, having been founded in London's Mayfair in 1863 with the aim to “provide a haven for those people who had a professional or amateur relationship with the arts, literature or sciences”.
It was started by literary legends Charles Dickens and Anthony Trollope, amongst others, and current board members include actress Gwyneth Paltrow and designer Stella McCartney.
