Dezeen Magazine

Annabel's by Martin Brudnizki

Martin Brudnizki aims for "English eccentricity" with decadent redesign of members' club Annabel's

Pink bathrooms covered in silk flowers and a hanging unicorn sculpture are among the host of fanciful features Martin Brudnizki Design Studio has included in its overhaul of infamous London members' club Annabel's.

Annabel's occupies a Grade I-listed Georgian townhouse on Mayfair's Berkeley Square. It sits two doors down from the club's original site, which was opened back in 1963 by entrepreneur Mark Birley.

Wanting to create a unique experience for members, London- and New York-based practice Martin Bruznizki Design Studio chose "the spirit of English eccentricity" and gardens as their starting point for the design.

Annabel's by Martin Brudnizki

"We wanted to create a club that is different from anything else that exists in London," studio founder Martin Brudnizki told press during a tour of the space.

"It's really about fantasy – this is a club, you don't come here for reality, you come to be transported somewhere else. You come here as well to feel glamorous and have a great time," he added.

Annabel's by Martin Brudnizki

Members are greeted by a reception area covered in wall panels moulded to portray different types of fruit and flowers, and a marble fireplace is flanked by a pair of oversized crystal candelabras.

The floral theme takes centre stage in the women's toilets and powder room upstairs. The ceiling is lined with handmade silk flowers, complemented by baby-pink onyx sink basins. Gold-framed mirrors and blossom-shaped wall lamps are also used, to create an opulent space.

The 2,416-square-metre venue also includes a nightclub, restaurant, cigar lounge, outdoor terrace and several additional rooms for members to work or relax throughout the day.

Annabel's by Martin Brudnizki

At ground-level, the club's main dining space called The Garden Room features a pastoral wall mural hand painted by British artist Gary Myatt.

Outside there is a garden terrace, with a retractable roof so that it can be used throughout the year.

The nightclub located in the basement is dotted with full-height faux palm trees crafted from glass, ensuring each room "draws direct links to flora and fauna in an eclectic and playful manner".

Annabel's by Martin Brudnizki

Higher floors are accessed via a grand staircase that is painted entirely white to act as a "soothing break" from the maximalist aesthetic of the club's other rooms.

A sculpture of a unicorn is suspended from its central void, to reference to the mythical winged creature of Pegasus.

Connecting corridors are upholstered with clashing animal print fabrics, and are punctuated by arched nooks that provide guests with more private areas to sit.

The studio used similarly clashing prints to create homely, vintage-inspired rooms for  Manhattan's Beekman Hotel.

Annabel's by Martin Brudnizki

London is home to a number of other private clubs, with the best-known ones including The Ned and The Hospital Club.

Last year US studio AvroKO transformed an art-deco building in Fitzrovia into members-only work and leisure destination Mortimer House, while Milan-based office Dimore Studio updated The Arts Cub in Mayfair to emulate decadent nightlife spots from the 1960s.