If these walls could talk: Stories of belonging, reinvention, and the quiet power of community

In an age of digital connection and fleeting communities, finding places where people truly feel they belong is rare. Yet, nestled in the heart of London, the Home House Collection – under the stewardship of Managing Director Andrew Richardson – continues to redefine what a members’ club can be: a home, a haven, and a community that thrives behind centuries-old walls.

A curious, winding path to Home House

“My journey with the Home House Collection started in 2008,” Andrew recalls. “But really, it began long before – from kitchens to boardrooms, I’ve always believed in learning this business from the ground up.” His career spans four decades, beginning as a young chef in English country house hotels and expanding across London, Paris, and a transformative decade in Hong Kong.

After building a successful restaurant group in Asia, navigating the challenges of expansion and economic turbulence, Andrew returned to the UK with his young family. His talent for turning around underperforming properties caught the attention of Home House’s founders, who brought him on board as Managing Director.

He arrived at a moment of transition and tension. “The building had just undergone a major redesign. Then the 2008 financial crisis hit,” he says. “But what we created was something special – a sanctuary from uncertainty, a space to foster optimism and community.”

Two clubs, one vision

Today, the Home House Collection comprises two contrasting yet harmonious clubs.

Home House is a heady mix of history and hedonism: a place of opulent interiors and legendary parties, from elegant dinners to a Halloween celebration that’s become a London institution. Home Grown, on the other hand, caters to high-growth entrepreneurs and creatives – a members’ club where business and hospitality meet, designed to accelerate ideas and foster meaningful exchange.

“Home Grown opened just before the pandemic,” Andrew notes. “But it tapped into something powerful. People wanted more than office space – they wanted a community to grow with.”

While each club serves a unique audience, their core values are shared. “Our members are curious, driven, and collaborative,” he says. “Whether you come to pitch an idea or pause over coffee, these are places that meet you where you are.”

The secret to longevity: celebration and connection

What sets the Home House Collection apart isn’t merely the Georgian grandeur or coveted Marylebone addresses. It’s the deliberate cultivation of belonging, fuelled by inquisitiveness, creativity, and above all, genuine connection.

“In those early years, there were moments of doubt,” Andrew says with a smile. “But we made it our mission to ensure everyone who walked through the doors felt at home – shielded, in the best sense, from the outside world.”

Members noticed. The joy, laughter, and camaraderie that filled the club quickly became legendary, fuelling growth and nearly doubling the business in three years.

Thoughtful refurbishments followed, keeping pace with members’ evolving desires. But the essence remained constant. “It’s not about furniture or finishes – it’s about the glue between people. That’s what keeps them coming back.”

What makes Home House Collection stand out in London’s crowded private club scene?

“It’s not a formula,” Andrew insists. “It’s a feeling.” The clubs embody warmth without pretence, where stunning architecture meets genuine welcome, and individuality is celebrated, not subdued.

Over the years, the walls have seen plenty: Princess Anne’s surprise visit and generous warmth; Annie Lennox filming a music video on the staircase; Madonna moving in during a renovation. But for Andrew, it’s often the quieter moments that linger most.

“I’ll never forget the joy when we reopened postpandemic. The look on people’s faces – staff and members alike. If I could bottle that, I would.”

Evolving with the modern member

The nature of membership is changing. Today’s communities seek more than prestige, they crave meaning, experiences, and authenticity.

“Younger generations don’t just want status,” Andrew says. “They want substance. Our job is to surprise, delight, and stay responsive. If something works, we repeat it. If it doesn’t, we pivot. The secret is staying tuned in.”

Expansion is on the horizon, but it will be considered, not rushed. “We’re not chasing trends,” he affirms. “We’re focused on staying relevant, distinctive, and real.”

If these walls could talk...

If the walls of Home House and Home Grown could speak, they would whisper of more than famous names and storied soirées. They’d tell of friendships sparked over cocktails, business ventures born in quiet corners, and communities built one conversation at a time.

As Andrew puts it, “If I could distil the soul of Home House Collection into one word, it would be ‘belonging.’ That’s what ties it all together. And if our members feel that – that they belong – then we know we’ve done something right.”