Stars make the City sparkle as The Ned opens for business

AN EXTRAORDINARY invasion of stars brought a rare burst of West End celebrity glamour to the Square Mile for the launch of a £200 million hotel, restaurants and private members’ club complex in the heart of the City.

Almost 2,000 guests, including actors Eddie Redmayne, Woody Harrelson, Jenna Coleman, Simon Pegg, Douglas Booth and Stanley Tucci, models Poppy Delevingne and Daisy Lowe, and designers Jade Jagger and Anya Hindmarch last night celebrated the opening of The Ned, just yards from the Bank of England.

The venture is the most ambitious yet by Soho House founder Nick Jones, who has turned the former Midland Bank headquarters on Poultry into an all-day and late-night destination in a district once known for “shutting up shop” in the evenings and at weekends. The Grade I listed building was designed by Sir Edwin “Ned” Lutyens in 1924 and has nine restaurants and 252 hotel bedrooms, starting from £250 a night, as well as the £3,000-a-year Ned’s Club.

Club facilities include a rooftop pool, gym with boxing ring, spa including London’s largest hammam and The Vault bar and lounge in the former deposit box strongroom.

Mr Jones, who is married to Desert Island Discs presenter Kirsty Young, said: “This is what I always had in my head. Tonight is what I envisaged when we started four years ago. It’s been a hard, but hugely enjoyable journey. I really hope Ned Lutyens would be proud of what we’ve created.

“The Ned is aimed at everyone — what I mean by that is from a creative to a banker, to my mum for afternoon tea. The City is right in the centre of London and now we have given it some accessible Twenties glamour.”

L ast night’s crowd, which

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