Cover Marc Nicholson is bringing 1880 social club to Hong Kong (Photo: Zed Leets / Tatler Hong Kong)
Marc Nicholson is bringing 1880 social club to Hong Kong (Photo: Zed Leets / Tatler Hong Kong)
1 / 1
The founder of 1880 reveals what guests can expect from the club when it comes to our city in August and how his parents’ social gatherings have inspired it all
What brings 1880 to Hong Kong?
In partnership with Swire Properties, we are building a new concept in Taikoo Place with 1880 at the centre. The whole project is built over 50,000 sq ft across four floors. It consists of five restaurants, five bars, a gym, a spa, an event space and more—and that’s just the hardware. The project also aims to provide two things: excellent amenities and a high level of tenant engagement. [In terms of ] engagement, we bring the same level of programming that 1880 Singapore [the club’s original iteration, founded in 2017] has become known for. This includes our talks, parties, films, food tastings, thought festivals, games, trips, sports, wellness, charity, investing and more.
What inspired you to start 1880 in the first place?
There were a few inspirations, but the ultimate driver was a desire to meet and connect more people. I am by nature very interested in people. I love meeting new friends and learning about journeys, mindsets and what makes people tick. When I moved to Singapore, I found that everyone I met was doing something fascinating but there wasn’t a hospitality solution that brought these amazing people together to cross-pollinate. Social life was very siloed; 1880 was the solution.
Above 1880 is being opened in Hong Kong in partnership with Swire Properties (Photo: Zed Leets / Tatler Hong Kong)
1880 is being opened in Hong Kong in partnership with Swire Properties (Photo: Zed Leets / Tatler Hong Kong)
1 / 1
Once the idea started to take form, I considered what the club would stand for, what its purpose would be. And for that, I didn’t have to look any further than my childhood. Since I was ten years old, my parents have hosted a weekly salon called The Nicholsons’ Wednesday Night Economic and Political Salon, or “Wednesday Night” for short. Every week, diplomats, academics, businesspeople, artists and activists would come to our house and my father would chair a discussion on the most pressing geopolitical, economic, ethical or moral questions of the day. My mother and father welcomed people with different or opposing views, which is why I’ve never been fond of the expression “like-minded people”: they believed that we learn from our differences through civil discourse.
Wednesday Night is an institution in Montreal [Nicholson’s hometown]. Thousands of people have participated. It’s a weekly celebration of ideas and of community. What’s amazing is that my parents have hosted more than 2,200 Wednesday Nights over 40 years, and it continues to this day. Thanks to Covid-19, we shifted online, which is great because I can now Zoom in from Singapore. It’s taught me how humans progress; it’s how we challenge our dogma and status quo. Only through dialogue with different opinions can you appreciate the diversity of thought. You don’t come to prove that you’re right about an issue, but to wonder whether you might be wrong. You get to do an internal audit of your values and humanise the opposing view. This became the first objective of 1880: a place for civil discourse.
There’s a second objective, which is very simple: people are better off with people. The greatest pandemic right now is loneliness. Our goal every day is to create a space where people get to make new friendships. The stronger your human-to- human relationships, the happier, healthier and mentally fitter you are.
Above Marc Nicholson’s social club 1880 will open in Quarry Bay (Photo: Zed Leets / Tatler Hong Kong)
Marc Nicholson’s social club 1880 will open in Quarry Bay (Photo: Zed Leets / Tatler Hong Kong)
1 / 1
How is this different to the concept you’ve built in Singapore?
Our task is to make going to the office more fun and more fulfilling for everyone, so 1880, the members’ club, is only 20 per cent of what we are creating. In order to touch the majority of the population that work in the area, who may not be looking to join a members’ club, we have created a new brand and concept called 1880 Social, which is completely open to the public. I think of it as a college campus or community centre where you can sign up for art classes or a coding course, or attend a talk, or pitch an idea, compete in a table tennis tournament, dance all night or simply hang out with new people. I see this as a wholly new category in the hospitality space.
Why Quarry Bay, and how do you intend to keep young professionals engaged after offices close for the day?
1880 is located at Taikoo Place, where Swire owns seven office towers, with more than 35,000 people working there. We aim to provide a massive amount of programming, with wonderful food and beverage, stunning interior design, and exceptionally warm and friendly hospitality.
What does 1880 do to encourage meaningful connections among its members?
It happens in many ways. For one, we are primarily analogue: we write letters, we speak to people face to face and we try not to let technology get in the way of a conversation. One example is our secret supper, where we invite people who don’t know each other to join [us] for dinner. We use conversation cards to get people to share points of view or stories, all aimed at revealing your true self. It’s intimate, fun and always rewarding.
What is your dream for 1880?
To build a global hospitality group renowned for its commitment to create meaningful connections.
Credits
Photography: Zed Leets/Tatler Hong Kong
As Content Director at Tatler Hong Kong, Tara shapes the brand's editorial vision across social, digital and print, and reports on Asia's most influential figures — from CEOs and leaders across business, style and the arts. In her dual role as Head of VIP, she also drives the planning and execution of Tatler's flagship IPs, curating star-studded events and building the relationships and communities that define the brand. Born and raised in the Middle East, she honed her craft in Dubai, crafting communication strategies for luxury brands across the Gulf. Follow her on Instagram @tarasobti.
