How have HKS transformed Ronnie Wood's South Kensington club into a Mediterranean manor devoted to wellness?
by Kim Megson | 27 Jul 2016
Credit: Will Pryce
– Luciano Mazza
A social club founded by Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood for London’s high society has been redesigned by the HKS Hospitality Group as a family-friendly centre focused around health and wellness.
Wood’s Harringdon Club – once a popular haunt for celebrities, young royals and fashionistas – was purchased by Sicilian hospitality entrepreneur Luca Del Bono, who has transformed the interiors of the listed Georgian-era music hall into the Mediterranean-themed South Kensington Club. New images have just been released showcasing the new design.
HKS’ design team have reconfigured the interior spaces; relocating the kitchen to make space for a new Italian restaurant, transforming dark nightclub rooms into light all-day venues and adding a sizeable spa and bath house.
Part of the building extends into an adjacent stable which served as artist Francis Bacon’s first studio. It is now home to the club’s gym and spa and wellness facilities, including Russian banyas, a Turkish Hamman, a Watsu aquatic therapy pool, a tea library and a 25,000sq ft (2,323sq m) TechnoGym-equipped health club.
Natural materials such as stone, wood and copper have been used widely. Dark lava stone tiles form the floor of a swimming pool, which is filled with seawater transported from the shores of Sicily.
The interiors of the main club are designed to evoke a narrative of exploration and travel, with features like the reception desk – which is carved out of a three tonne volcanic lava block cut from Mount Etna.
“The South Kensington Club reflects the passions of the client and effortlessly ranged through different cultures,” said HKS principal and project leader Luciano Mazza. “The experience is a home-from-home for the multicultural communities of South Kensington, but the club also looks outwards, inviting members to journey in their minds to far-away places and far-off times.”
South Kensington Club London Ronnie Wood wellness health and fitness HKS Architects interior design architecture Rolling Stones
Saltwater in the spa has been transported all the way from Sicily Credit: Will Pryce
The interior designs by HKS have a Mediterranean twist Credit: Will Pryce
The club is now a hub for health and wellness Credit: Will Pryce
The building's original Georgian staircase has been restored Credit: Will Pryce
The club used to be run by Ronnie Wood and was popular with London's celebrities Credit: Will Pryce
05 Apr 2016
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South Kensington health club and spa opens in London
A social club founded by Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood for London’s high society has been redesigned by the HKS Hospitality Group as a family-friendly centre focused around health and wellness. Wood’s Harringdon Club – once a popular haunt for celebrities, young royals and fashionistas – was purchased by Sicilian hospitality entrepreneur Luca Del Bono, who has transformed the interiors of the listed Georgian-era music hall into the Mediterranean-themed South Kensington
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