Latest news with #67PallMall
Business Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Members-only social clubs: Conversations, passions and why they're ‘so badly needed'
[SINGAPORE] The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions and activity on the private members-only club scene. To the shock of staff and members, 1880 abruptly closed after racking up debt when it expanded to Hong Kong and Bali. Then came the good news that its staff are partnering the former club's landlord to reopen it under a different name next month, and its 2000-plus members can transfer their memberships to the new business. Amid the turbulence, 67 Pall Mall and Mandala Club both announced expansion plans. 67 Pall Mall, which started a decade ago in London, will open in Shanghai. It also has an outpost in Verbier, Switzerland and three others coming up in Melbourne, Australia and France's Bordeaux and Beaune. Meanwhile, Mandala Club will spend S$2 million to take over its neighbour's building in Bukit Pasoh to expand its footprint by 50 per cent, and is also building a beachfront property in Bali, which will have a 35-key hotel component. Both 67 Pall Mall and Mandala Club say their membership base is about equally split between locals and expatriates, and members can use the facilities at its clubs outside Singapore. There's even a new private club in the works. Vanta, which positions itself as an 'invite-only private members club', held a preview in May and is slated to open in the fourth quarter. And when the new club at the former 1880 premises opens in Robertson Quay, it's not going to be business as usual either. The plan is to raise the club to the next level by focusing on the membership experience and curating the right mix of members to bring out the magic of being part of a community. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up Don't worry, we make money For starters, private clubs here are profitable. Ben Jones, chief executive and founder of The Mandala Group, has said the club is 'in the healthiest profitability and capitalised situation we've ever been' and 'can fund potential growth or merger and acquisition strategies'. Earlier this year, the club joined the Icon1c Group – a luxury hospitality collective co-founded with tech entrepreneur Patrick Grove's Kuala Lumpur-based Internet company, Catcha Group. 'With the backing of Icon1c, this is not just added space – it's a strategic investment in the future of our flagship and a reflection of Mandala's position as a cultural and social platform with regional resonance,' says Jones. Over at 67 Pall Mall, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation stood at just over S$5 million for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2024, with a net profit of S$1.8 million. 'Is it a good business? Yes, if you're in the right location, got the right products, curate your members and make sure they stay happy,' founder and chief executive Grant Ashton tells The Business Times. Its programming is centred around wine, with its masterclasses – a recent one costing S$1,250 a seat – usually full. Even the local operations of 1880 were believed to be profitable, thus attracting a few potential buyers before it was placed into provisional liquidation. Still, 67 Pall Mall, which opened in Shaw Centre in 2022, is halving its entry fees for new members to S$2,000, but raising monthly subscription fees for them by S$60 to S$360. 'The reality is that we have capacity at this point in time,' says Ashton, a former banker. 'Because, as you can see, the F&B scene is softer – witness 1880 and all the other things that have gone on in terms of restaurants.' The ties that bind Dinesh Sathisan, a founding member of 1880, says the club 'was a breath of fresh air' when it opened in 2017 – at a time when people wanted to join 'the big old neocolonial clubs where there's a long waitlist to get in, you spend a lot of money and it came with a whole slew of restrictions'. 'The very essence of 1880 when it started out, which is to build a network through conversations, was very, very appealing,' says Sathisan, who works in international affairs. The notion of privacy and discretion was also a draw, and he could relax, conduct meetings and network at the club. 'You meet like-minded people who, for example, attend a talk by the Ukrainian ambassador about the Ukraine war. These people are interested in foreign affairs and there would be an extension of those discussions taking place in the club. And that, for many of us, was brilliant.' Meanwhile, on the social side of things, there were 'great events', theme parties and 'an absolutely amazing' executive chef in the form of Colin Buchan. Sathisan's also a founding member of 67 Pall Mall, which he says does not claim to be what it's not. 'They're very clear that it's a wine lovers' club.' For another 1880 member, access to a diverse group of people from very different backgrounds, nationalities and businesses was attractive. As was the fact that as a single working female in Singapore, the club was a safe space to both conduct business and socialise with friends. 'The service you get at places like 1880 was on a different level. All the staff members know you personally and it's like a second home,' says Juliet Stannard, who's also a member of Tanglin Club. 'The food was always excellent and a step up from other restaurants or bars that you would go to.' Sometimes, it's a specific passion – and a younger demographic – that matters. At just 29, avid wine lover Kuo Tzu-En is already a member of wine societies including Commanderie de Bordeaux Singapore, on whose council she sits. Still, she put her name on 67 Pall Mall's waitlist before she got her membership. 'I joined because it's a very good place for socialising, there are many young members and lots of wine tastings and events,' says Kuo, who's also a member of The American Club. 67 Pall Mall's wine list of 5,000 by the bottle, of which 1,000 can be had by the glass, is another draw. 'You can still try a glass of the more expensive wines if you don't have the spending power to open a bottle.' Tony Morris, another 67 Pall Mall member, joined after visiting the club in London. 'Wine is a journey of discovery and the club's sommeliers are very well-equipped in terms of knowledge and experience to guide you,' says Morris, who runs an investment firm. While a market observer has wondered if the business model of expanding overseas is right for members-only clubs which should be a high-touch experience, Morris says: 'Be it here, London or Verbier, the locations are fantastic and you consistently get that warm, friendly welcome.' Shaken and stirred, but still palatable While 1880's sudden closure has caused some gnashing of teeth, it hasn't quite put the fear of a repeat elsewhere. 'I think 67 Pall Mall has got its head screwed on correctly,' says Kuo, who helps run her family's businesses. Morris concurs. He bought a stake in the club, whose other shareholders include the Les Amis Group. 'This is not a project that's unbacked, as it were, taking on large debts and so on,' he explains, adding that shareholders are able to ask questions and challenge the way the club is run during its annual general meetings. 'There are checks and balances and you're not at the mercy of financial markets or institutions. The club is genuinely supported by people who like to be in it, which gives it a very different atmosphere.' Even the shock of 1880's closure isn't putting Stannard off club memberships. 'A club like 1880 is so badly needed because they offer something different, like curated discussion panels and events that you won't necessarily get under one roof with other regular F&B places,' explains the director of a real estate agency. 'It's so unique.' Sathisan says everyone's waiting to see where the new club goes in the next three or four months after it reopens. 'But I think we're all quietly confident. It has built a very strong network of very interesting people and it would be a shame to lose them all now as a result of what happened.'
Business Times
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Private clubs still in vogue
HAS the recent saga over members' club 1880 put you off joining one? If not, welcome to the, well, club as the exclusivity, curated programming, networking opportunities and community spirit they offer are still highly attractive to people who want to become their members. In this week's BT Lifestyle, we look at the continued appeal of such clubs and how, despite 1880's woes, it's still a profitable business to be in. So much so that existing clubs such as 67 Pall Mall and the Mandala Club are on an expansion path, with new brands contemplating making their entry into the market. In Design, we discover how robots have replaced bricklayers in housebuilding, with a peek at the first 3D printed house in Singapore. The brainchild of architect Lim Koon Park, the Bukit Timah detached property is a showcase of technology, yet at its core – a real, liveable family home. Meanwhile in Dining, two-Michelin-starred restaurant Thevar has moved to a new home in Mohamed Sultan. We get a taste of what it has to offer. For this and more, don't miss this week's instalment of BT Lifestyle.
Business Times
20-06-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Despite 1880's closure, private members' club 67 Pall Mall is expanding
[SINGAPORE] Private members' club 1880 may have suddenly closed and gone into liquidation this week, but that is no dampener for another player here. 67 Pall Mall, which started operating in Singapore from 2022, has just signed a lease to expand to Shanghai – its first Chinese outpost. The private members' club with a focus on fine wine will open next year at 7 Donghu Road, in Shanghai's historic Xuhui district. It will occupy the 100-year-old French Renaissance-style Grand Mansion – or da gongguan – built by British businessman Raymond Joseph. Grant Ashton, who founded 67 Pall Mall in London in 2015, said that opening a club in Shanghai allows it to connect with the wine community in China, which 'has long been one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing wine markets in the world'. On entering the country despite its economic woes, Ashton said the club's business model offering access to 'one of the largest lists of wines in the region at reasonable prices' has withstood economic ebbs and flows, including extended closures during the pandemic. 'Our proposition is new to the market in Shanghai and China – one that represents unprecedented value and access to fine wines.' He is not concerned about the sudden collapse of 1880 either. The club had also abruptly closed its Hong Kong branch on May 30. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up 'Our membership model has served us well for 10 years,' he told The Business Times. 'We are a very different club with a singular focus, and everything about 67 Pall Mall revolves around the appreciation of wine.' In Singapore, the club occupies 15,000 square feet (sq ft) across the 27th and 28th floors of Shaw Centre in Scotts Road. The space used to be the penthouse dwelling of the late movie magnate Runme Shaw, where he threw extravagant soirees and wined and dined luminaries and celebrities. The club here is 67 Pall Mall's third, after London and Verbier in Switzerland. It had previously announced upcoming club openings in Melbourne, Australia, as well as in France's Bordeaux and Beaune. Members have access to its clubs around the world. Entrance to the Grand Mansion. PHOTO: 67 PALL MALL As for the Shanghai club, it will comprise around 14,300 sq ft and carry a wine list of 5,000 by the bottle and 1,000 by the glass from 40 countries. The mansion's grandeur will be showcased and it will include spaces such as a Grand Salon, a sunroom overlooking the gardens, a whisky bar and multiple private rooms. The Grand Mansion is a former diplomatic landmark that has housed various bureaus and served as the residence of some of China's prominent magnates, including industrialist and banker Sheng Zhushu. It has also hosted several high-profile events, including negotiations between former US president Richard Nixon and former Chinese premier Zhou Enlai, as well as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in China in 2001 attended by then US president George W Bush.
Business Times
20-06-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Despite 1880 closure, private members' club 67 Pall Mall is expanding
[SINGAPORE] Private members' club 1880 may have suddenly closed and gone into liquidation this week, but that is no dampener for another player here. 67 Pall Mall, which started operating in Singapore from 2022, has just signed a lease to expand to Shanghai – its first Chinese outpost. The private members' club with a focus on fine wine will open next year at 7 Donghu Road, in Shanghai's historic Xuhui district. It will occupy the 100-year-old French Renaissance-style Grand Mansion – or da gongguan – built by British businessman Raymond Joseph. Grant Ashton, who founded 67 Pall Mall in London in 2015, said that opening a club in Shanghai allows it to connect with the wine community in China, which 'has long been one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing wine markets in the world'. On entering the country despite its economic woes, Ashton said the club's business model offering access to 'one of the largest lists of wines in the region at reasonable prices' has withstood economic ebbs and flows, including extended closures during the pandemic. 'Our proposition is new to the market in Shanghai and China – one that represents unprecedented value and access to fine wines.' He is not concerned about the sudden collapse of 1880 either. The club had also abruptly closed its Hong Kong branch on May 30. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up 'Our membership model has served us well for 10 years,' he told The Business Times. 'We are a very different club with a singular focus, and everything about 67 Pall Mall revolves around the appreciation of wine.' In Singapore, the club occupies 15,000 square feet (sq ft) across the 27th and 28th floors of Shaw Centre in Scotts Road. The space used to be the penthouse dwelling of the late movie magnate Runme Shaw, where he threw extravagant soirees and wined and dined luminaries and celebrities. The club here is 67 Pall Mall's third, after London and Verbier in Switzerland. It had previously announced upcoming club openings in Melbourne, Australia, as well as in France's Bordeaux and Beaune. Members have access to its clubs around the world. Entrance to the Grand Mansion. PHOTO: 67 PALL MALL As for the Shanghai club, it will comprise around 14,300 sq ft and carry a wine list of 5,000 by the bottle and 1,000 by the glass from 40 countries. The mansion's grandeur will be showcased and it will include spaces such as a Grand Salon, a sunroom overlooking the gardens, a whisky bar and multiple private rooms. The Grand Mansion is a former diplomatic landmark that has housed various bureaus and served as the residence of some of China's prominent magnates, including industrialist and banker Sheng Zhushu. It has also hosted several high-profile events, including negotiations between former US president Richard Nixon and former Chinese premier Zhou Enlai, as well as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in China in 2001 attended by then US president George W Bush.
The Age
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Age
A private club with 5000 wines, rooftop terrace and seafood bar to open above Parliament Station
Benn, who is known for fine-dining creations that saw Sepia named The One to Watch in the 2015 list of The World's 50 Best Restaurants, will keep the food relatively simple in the entry-floor club lounge, such as burgers, steak and charcuterie. More elevated dishes such as roasted miso toothfish with red pepper ponzu butter and soy glazed rib of beef served with sea urchin mustard will be available in the restaurant a floor above. He will also instigate an oyster ageing program that will involve storing live oysters in a temperature-controlled room for two to three weeks to allow their flavour to develop. 'The food, though, is not about pushing any fine-dining boundaries. We just want the members to be happy,' he said. The pair have been approached multiple times to open and run stand-alone restaurants in the last three years but, 'why would we? We have nothing to prove, we have done it, it's so all encompassing, we get more joy now from training up the next generation of staff,' Wild said. With 140 staff to be employed at 67 Pall Mall, Benn said his aim is to nurture talent in Melbourne and to train chefs in the old-school basics of cooking like meat and fish butchery. 67 Pall Mall's first Club in London opened in December 2015, and has plans to open in Dubai, Shanghai, Bangkok and Tokyo. The Melbourne club will allow reciprocal membership and offers other lures such as wine storage for members, and masterclasses on subjects from chablis to wellbeing.
