The Ned Doha, a members' club and hotel in the heart of Doha, is set to open its doors in mid-November, right in time for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Located in the former Ministry of the Interior building, The Ned Doha is on the Corniche waterfront, with views over the Arabian Gulf, city parklands and the neighbouring Doha Palace. Originally designed by the acclaimed Lebanese architect William Sednaoui in the 1960s, the 500,000sq ft site now has members’ spaces, 90 bedrooms and 12 suites and seven restaurants, plus a health club with spa, gym, 30m outdoor pool and event spaces. The Ned Doha is set over five floors with architecture by David Chipperfield Architects and interiors by Soho House Design. The team used The Ned London as their inspiration to create a ground floor Atrium with a live performance stage at its heart, surrounded by restaurants.
Digitally generated image of The Ned Doha, as seen from the backwater.
The Ned Doha general manager, Niels Kristensen told Gulf Times during an exclusive preview Thursday that "We are planning to open to the public in mid-November in time for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 opening match, with a full house.
"The Ned is a model created in 2017 by Soho House founder and CEO Nick Jones that we had quite good success in London. We are also bringing a members’ club, we spent nine months to create this community. The fourth floor area is purely for the members, who can access the members’ areas in Ned London, and in Ned mid-town New York. We are bridging the cultures here, in Europe and other places.
"The view from the fourth floor here is spectacular, it reminds me of the view in Brooklyn overlooking Manhattan. The view of West Bay is stunning and the location here is amazing and also it is an old 1970’s historic building. You can notice that in some of the furnitures and the fittings,” he said.
In another nod to the original Ned, green Tinos marble has been used throughout the ground floor areas.
Outside, a lush oasis-in-the-city garden has been created, with water features, space for contemporary sculptures and a pergola design to provide sun-dappled shade.
On the rooftop, Ned’s Club Upstairs acts as a beacon of 70s glamour, with a warm wood palette, touches of gold, statement furniture, silk rugs and modern lighting. There is a stage which will feature live music and entertainment, and views overlooking the West Bay and the Diwan.
The Ned has a total 90 bedrooms ranging in size from Cosy, Medium and Large, including 12 suites, all of which have outdoor balconies. The rooms channel a glamorous 1970s design, with silk drapes, plush velvet woven fabric headboards and marble furniture. The original coffered concrete ceilings of many rooms have been retained and restored to keep the original character of this landmark building.
The Ned Doha is home to the Corniche Hall, with its own private entrance, for hosting large scale conferences, events and standing receptions for up to 600 people. Filled with natural daylight, the hall is arranged around a landscaped courtyard which also provides additional outdoor event space.
Ned’s Club Pool is situated in a 1970s inspired area with private cabanas overlooking a bold green 30m pool, terrazzo flooring and green and white striped daybeds. The Malibu Kitchen is a Californian inspired, air-conditioned, outdoor restaurant will be open to the public all year around.
Hadika is a Levantine restaurant focusing on Mezzeh family style food is situated in a beautiful shaded outdoor garden with three private dining rooms.
The Ned Doha art collection brings together 150 works of local and regional artists, many of which have been commissioned specifically. The art collection is curated by the co-founders of Mathqaf, Wadha al-Aqeedi and Elina Sairanen.
Ned’s Club Membership starts at $6,500 with no joining fee for founders and $7,500 with a $1,000 joining fee thereafter. Membership enquiries can be had at [email protected]
