Is This hot Milanese Social Club the New Soho House?
Private social and dining clubs are officially having a moment. Need proof? Take a look at the latest high-profile members-only venue, opening this fall in Milan: the Wilde, where ELLE DECOR A-List designer Fabrizio Casiraghi is channeling the Italian city’s design history with style and passion.
Casiraghi has treated the building, the former villa of Versace CEO Santo Domenico located in the upscale Brera district, like an apartment complex, making each floor feel like a private wing belonging to different members of the same family. Ultimately, Casiraghi tells ELLE DECOR, he wants visitors and members to feel as comfortable as if they are at someone’s house.
“My goal is to design spaces so inviting that people lose track of time, feeling at ease from breakfast to meetings, through to dinner and eventually a night at the bar. I aim to create an atmosphere where people naturally want to linger,” he says.
The 20,000-square-foot-space will feature two restaurants, Latin American-themed Ava and Mediterranean restaurant Nina. There are also three all-day dining areas in a club room, library, and garden. In the library, the walls are clad in wood panels, while seating is upholstered in fabrics by the Milan-based textile designer Arjumaud's World. One nook is sheathed entirely in a golden Pierre Frey velvet with artwork by Willa Wasserman. “If I would have to pick my favorite spot to spend time with my friends, it would be the cozy corner sofa in the library, situated in front of the travertine fireplace, with some great wine,” Casiraghi says.
In the Ava restaurant, a painted floral motif decorates the ceiling with seating upholstered in fabrics by Loro Piana and Arjumaud’s World. “Ceilings always play an important role for me in designing common spaces, as they are often overlooked in restaurants and dining areas,” Casiraghi says. “In this project, I was especially excited to use the ceiling as a defining element for creating the unique identities for each floor.”
That sentiment extends to the club room, where an illuminated, green and white Mondrian-like ceiling takes center stage above a marble DJ station and seating areas. A private lounge also features a mirror paneled ceiling.
In addition to various dining experiences, members of the club can expect programming at the Wilde to include everything from screenings to spa treatments to guest lectures. Not heading to Milan soon? Don’t worry: The team behind yhe Wilde, led by Gary Landesberg, plans to travel, bringing the club to New York, London, and Los Angeles next.
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