Three years in the making, Vienna’s newest private members‘ club, AM HOF 8, pays tribute to the city’s exalted past and buzzing present with stunning interiors, superb hospitality and an unrivalled location in the city centre.
Vienna – home of the legendary coffee house culture of the 19th century, where great minds whiled away
productive hours in great company and inspirational surroundings. Fast forward a century or so and you’ll find that this tradition is still very much alive and has been transported into the 21st century as a club designed for fruitful encounters and enjoyable conviviality.
There’s a reason why Austrians have a reputation around the globe for being attentive hosts who offer world-class hospitality. Somehow, they just seem to have the knack for creating great spaces that feel inviting, which beckon you in and whisper charmingly of a rich heritage. Add to this skill the imposing architecture of Vienna and you know you’re about to experience something truly special.
Step into Am Hof 8, a contemporary private members’ club in the Austrian capital, at the heart of this iconic city and yet soothingly removed from the hustle and bustle. The new club, which opened its doors in September 2022, is a place designed to facilitate encounters, a centre where people come together to exchange ideas, create connections and find a discreet retreat.
A beguiling blend of old and new
The club is located on one of Vienna’s most storied squares, in a Renaissance building that dates back to 1508; its neighbours include the townhouse where Mozart performed in public in Vienna for the first time. Extending over nine floors, guests can find the remains of a former castle walls and even parts of a Roman wall in the basement. The property has been owned by the Kattus family for more than three centuries; it is where the Kattus delicatessen trading company was founded in 1857 and operated a shop selling fine wines, tea, coffee, exotic fruits and many other gourmet delights. The nameof the company founder – Johann Kattus – still features on the façade. So when his descendant came up with the bold plan of opening a brand new private members’ club, it was clear where it would be located.
The task of transforming this historied building into a sophisticated modern clubhouse with a rooftop bar, restaurant, members’ lounge, gym, workspaces, wine cellar and bedrooms was gargantuan, and it took the founder, Johannes Kattus, and London-based interior designer Theresa Obermoser the best part of three years. It’s no exaggeration to say that the results are simply stunning. The colour palette is muted yet very lush; generous use has been made of beautifully tactile fabrics and a variety of textures. In some rooms, softly nviting furniture exudes a plump 1930s vibe, while the hotel rooms cleverly echo the city’s elegant imperial heyday and reimagine it for the present. Selected art works are on display throughout the clubhouse, and there are specially curated exhibitions of new and exciting
artists.
Disco ball and a cool basement bar
Guests enter through a sumptuous lobby with large potted plants and a funky disco ball. A few steps further in lies the Birdie Bar, complete with a stylish counter and ornate mosaic flooring, the perfect spot for informal gatherings, a quick drink or simply relaxing. In the fine dining restaurant on the first floor, culinary highlights are prepared in an open kitchen for sophisticated enjoyment. The listed room with a cosy open fireplace offers a wonderful view of the courtyard. The centrepiece of the elegant adjacent private dining room is a magnificent striped table which practically glows in the cosy, plum-coloured space. The décor of the members’ lounge on the next floor hovers in the colour space of soothing greens and blues, making it perfect for a spot of relaxation and informal chats.
Am Hof 8 has five hotel bedrooms on the third floor, exclusively available to members, their international guests and members of partner clubs. Each room has its own colour scheme – yellow, blue, green, pink, purple – but all share the nostalgic aesthetic of understated classical opulence. These are rooms to relax and feel good in, to switch off and recharge your batteries. The club is designed to cater to all styles of work, from fully equipped business rooms that are available to members – with the added perk of being able to have a business lunch and enjoy a drink at the bar after a productive day – to inspiring co-working spaces. The latter are available for flexible working and, naturally, offer everything needed in the way of service and connectivity – all at the heart of Vienna. A fitness room features a choice of exercise equipment for cardio workouts and strength training.
At the end of the day, the wine cellar beckons with an unrivalled choice of fine whites, reds and sparkling wines. Down in the basement under a vaulted ceiling, an exclusive club-in-club awaits: Hanni’s. The historic cellar is the perfect place to relax and celebrate with excellent drinks; there are regular events and special live acts. At the other end of the building, the rooftop bar – furnished with comfortable benches and lounge furniture – offers views over to St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
AM HOF 8
Am Hof 8
1010 Vienna, Austria
Tel: +43 1 909 4489
club@amhof8.com
www.amhof8.com