Live luxury at Soho Farmhouse's sister club at the BBC's former Television Centre
Soho House's new White City House offers live luxury at BBC's former Television Centre
By Marc West
Broadcast views: White City House is part of the Soho House group
Home to The British Broadcasting Corporation from 1960 to 2013, Television Centre is a landmark of modern architecture – with its 26 "atomic dots" on the brick facade of the original Studio One instantly recognisable as the home of many cherished BBC programmes such as Doctor Who, Blue Peter and Top of The Pops.
While struggling with creative block, Graham Dawbarn inadvertently laid the foundations for a modernist icon. Doodling a sole question mark on an envelope in a pub he realised it would be an ideal shape for the Shepherd's Bush site – with Huxley-Jones' gilded statue of mythological Greek god Helios shining down radiantly across the Central Ring.
Following a final wrap, star architect studio AHMM masterminded the conversion of this cultural heart of White City into luxury apartments, offices, live TV studios and the latest London location of Soho House & Co.
Taking inspiration from the history of the building and its 1950/60s heritage, West London's third House now incorporates three floors of members club space, 45 bedrooms, two Electric Cinemas, a top floor heated pool (with far-reaching views from Wembley Stadium to The Shard) and (its piece de resistance) a state-of-the-art 24,000 sq ft gym – the largest in the city.
Long gone are the days of dusty Daleks and Willow The Wisp lurking along these wood-panelled former corridors of power.
Today's Grade II-listed building is a highly polished performance. And, the world's top entertainers still pass through the original frosted glass swing doors to perform live for lucky members from W12's bright young internet set.
However, post 7pm, it's a laptop-free House – making it the perfect place to eat, drink, exercise and relax.
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Echoing Arthur Hayes' original BBC designs, the menu is a well thought out document. Diners are simply spoilt for choice with a scrummy host of House Regulars. However, it's the Asian delights of Dim Sum Thursdays that literally touch my heart. It's fresh, fast and fun in refined, yet relaxed surroundings. With the lights of London Town as a backdrop, the tenth floor is the ultimate nightcap destination for a classic cocktail and chill.
Retiring to my Medium room, I'm delighted to find a bed as big as a Cadillac, a Marshall bluetooth speaker streaming cool jazz and a high-end mini-bar that Madmen's Don Draper would relish. Needless to say, every room is tastefully appointed with quirky Tibor furnishings, mid-century furniture and George Nelson lamps – plus a Sgt. Pepper's-esque Peter Blake collage adorning the wall.
It's a smooth blend of industrial steel, glossy melamine and vanished teak - design-driven to top gear.
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It's clear that proprietor Nick Jones is a stickler for detail.
I would advise to not forget your toothbrush, but even that is catered for – just like everything else.
After the perfect night's sleep, I start the day the right way.
A swim, steam and sauna, followed by a buffet brunch with my selected newspapers.
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Looking out over an autumnal Big Smoke from the palm-studded terrace I feel on top of the world – in every way.
With checkout not until a civilised midday, there's also time for a quick shop at Westfield's luxury wing The Village – just across Wood Lane.
A home-from-home hub for the creative community, White City House is doing for the (formerly wild) west of London what Shoreditch House did for trendy East London back in the naughty noughties.
White City House is a members' club with 45 bedrooms in the former BBC Headquarters in West London
The House is a space for eating, drinking and meeting - with a gym, screening room and rooftop pool.
Find it at Television Centre, 101 Wood Lane, London W12 7FR
Go to whitecityhouse.com or call 020 7870 0000
Non-members can stay at White City House, subject to availability
Contact Reservations Team who will aim to get back to you within 24 hours
On the ground floor of White City House is a space for relaxing and socialising - offering all-day drinks and a menu inspired by British, Italian and American classics. Borrowing from the original concept in Soho House Chicago, The Allis is a relaxed social space open to all
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