Norwood Club
| Company type | Private club |
|---|---|
| Founded | New York City, New York, 2007 |
| Headquarters | 241 West 14th Street New York, New York |
| Website | www |
The Norwood Club is a private club located in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. It was founded in 2007 by Alan Linn and Steve Ruggi,[1] who intended it to be a modern incarnation of the traditional gentlemen's club.[2] Like the fine arts focused Century Association, the Norwood Club draws its membership from New York City's arts and creative community.[3] Linn describes the Norwood Club as a "club for the curious."[4] The Norwood Club's members have reciprocity with other private clubs in London, Dublin, Budapest, Toronto, Buenos Aires, and Shanghai.
Clubhouse
The Norwood Club is located in a five-story brownstone townhouse at 241 West 14th Street built for merchant Andrew S. Norwood in 1847 and known as the "Norwood House."[5][6] In the 1840s, Norwood built three townhouses on the north side of West 14th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues, including the Norwood House, which then was a fashionable area of "northern" Manhattan.[6] The matching houses, which were the first masonry residences to be built on the street, were designed as a melding of Greek Revival and Italianate architectural styles.[6] Norwood and his family moved into the Norwood House in 1847.[6] His son, Andrew G. Norwood, inherited the home following his death in 1856.[6]
Later on, the house was used for various purposes, including a boarding house, the New York Deaconesses Home of the Methodist Church, and a funeral home.[6] In 1976, Raf Borello purchased the home and used it as his private residence until his death in 2005.[6] During this time, the building's exterior was granted landmark status.[6] In 2006, Borello's heirs sold the home to a group that included Alan Linn and Benjamin Harris who founded the Norwood Club in it.[6] Linn employed British interior designer Simon Costin to convert the space without losing its artistic and historical integrity.[6] Harris used the place to establish his corporation Norwood Nation. The Norwood Club then opened its doors in 2007.[6] The Norwood House contains 13 marble fireplaces, mahogany interior doors, elaborate plaster ceiling moldings, a cast iron balcony, an elegant curving staircase, and a stained glass skylight.[6]
Today, the Norwood Club contains a restaurant, two lounge bars, a screening room and a walled garden with seating. The top floor houses the screening room and a small roof deck.[5] A hidden door on the main floor leads to a staircase to the lower dining room, which members can use for private events.[5] The entire club features paintings, drawings and sculptures that are curated once each year.[5] Many of the art pieces and books that are displayed are from current members.[5]
Membership
Membership is selective. The application process includes completing written questions which address one's interests in the arts and motivation for joining Norwood,[7] as well as a required interview and tour of the facilities.[8] The club has about 1100 members, as well as a wait-list for new members.[9]
See also
References
- ^ http://www.scotsman.com/news/interview-alan-linn-and-steve-ruggi-owners-of-exclusive-new-york-club-norwood-1-475521.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "Insiders Guide: The Private Clubs". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ "The 10 Best Private Clubs". Worth.
- ^ "Art Club: Norwood". No. 3 Magazine.
- ^ a b c d e "Norwood". SOMA Magazine. March–April 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "The Andrew S. Norwood House". Dayton In Manhattan. July 2011.
- ^ "NYC Private Clubs". refinary29.
- ^ "The Most Exclusive Private Clubs in New York City". Business Insider.
- ^ "Arts Clubs Go Soul-Searching in New Era". The Wall Street Journal.