The story of Soho House Austin
Discover how our first outpost in the south became a hub for the city’s creative community to work, rest and play
Tuesday 5 March 2024 By Chloe Lawrance Illustration by Angelo Dolojan
In the years leading up to the 2021 opening of Soho House Austin, the city’s thriving creative community was growing. Artists, musicians and entrepreneurs – including many of our members – were moving from the East Coast and West Coast in pursuit of the Texan capital’s flourishing food scene, love of live music, and welcoming attitude that birthed the ‘Keep Austin Weird’ motto. And so where better to open a House than Austin? Located on the aptly named Music Lane, just off South Congress Avenue, it has welcomed that expanding creative community with spaces to work, socialise or find a little respite from the sun.
Soho House Austin is one of the few clubs located in a new building, and this allowed for a space that feels completely unique to the city. The pool, surrounded by comfy cabanas, overlooks the sweeping city skyline, and a wraparound terrace on the third floor is a popular spot for dining outside. Inside the House, there’s also a screening room, 46 bedrooms, and plenty of club and bar space where members can dine, work or socialise.
As with all of our Houses, the interiors are reflective of the space they’re in – but for Austin, the Soho House Design team also looked beyond the walls of the House out to the city for inspiration. ‘We wanted to create something that felt authentic to the newer building, while also having that sense of “worn-in” character that’s key to the Soho House aesthetic,’ says Soho House Senior Designer, Amanda Sharp. ‘And it was important to reflect the eclecticism of the city, using materials, colours and motifs commonly found in the Texas modernist architectural style that the building was developed.’
The team married that Texas modernism with a contemporary Spanish aesthetic for a space that feels equal parts old and new. ‘We utilised a lot of natural materials local to the area, such as reclaimed wood on both the floors and ceilings, as well as rough limestone tile flooring throughout the club. We also incorporated a lot of texture with lime-washed walls and handmade clay tiles,’ Sharp says.
‘It was important to us to bring a distinctly Texan design sensibility to the House. We layered vintage furniture – a lot of which was sourced from antique fairs in Round Top, Texas – with custom lighting and specially designed pieces from local makers and craftspeople. This all helped to create a space that feels lived-in and aged, but not at odds with the brand-new building it sits in.’
The uniquely Texan style is seen in the House’s 72-piece art collection, too. Each artist showcased throughout was born, based or trained in Texas, with nearly 60% specific to Austin. From museum-level names such as Deborah Roberts to emerging talent like Tsz Kam, the collection reflects the creative spirit of the city – one that we see in our members every day.
Explore Soho House Austin and apply for membership