Soho House is officially heading to Melbourne after all, marking a significant turnaround for the private members’ club that once walked away from the city in favour of Sydney. After years of uncertainty and a very public planning battle, the global hospitality brand has now confirmed Melbourne as part of its future expansion plans. Here's what we know so far...

Why were Melbourne plans originally dumped?

Back in 2022, Soho House’s Australian ambitions hit a wall. Plans to convert the historic Poolman House mansion in South Yarra into a boutique hotel and members’ club were knocked back by councils and met with strong resistance from local residents. Concerns ranged from zoning issues to fears about late-night activity, and despite an appeal to VCAT, the developers eventually withdrew the proposal.

At the time, attention shifted firmly to Sydney, with Melbourne seemingly off the table. Now, that story has changed.

What's been confirmed this time?

As part of its broader growth push heading into 2026 and beyond, Soho House this week has confirmed it will open in Melbourne, alongside continued plans for Sydney. The announcement comes during a busy period for the brand, which is expanding rapidly across the U.S., Europe, and Asia following its $2.7 billion take-private deal. New houses are planned in cities like Tokyo, Milan, Madrid, and Lisbon, reinforcing Soho House’s focus on creative hubs around the world.

Why Melbourne?

Bringing Melbourne back into the picture feels deliberate. Long regarded as Australia’s cultural capital (with festivals like RISING stepping things up a notch) the city aligns naturally with Soho House’s creative-first identity, drawing members from fashion, film, music, media, and design. By committing to both Melbourne and Sydney, the company is signalling that Australia is no longer a “one-city” market, but a key region in its global network.

Details around the Melbourne location are still being kept under wraps, including where it will be based and when it might open. What is clear, however, is that Soho House appears to be approaching the city with lessons learned from its earlier missteps.

When will it open?

The official word from Soho House's website is that plans for Melbourne and Sydney will be finalised "beyond 2027". Which means we're likely to see openings as early as 2028 for both cities. We'll keep you updated as we hear more.

Feature image (left): Soho House Mexico City. Feature image (right): Soho House Chicago.