Opening of the Private Member Club
From London to New York, private members' clubs are experiencing a renaissance – places that combine community, exclusivity, and inspiration. Club culture originated in the 18th and 19th centuries, when private clubs were founded for networking and as protected spaces for business and social activities. Today, design and architecture take center stage, with clubs serving as social hubs and expressions of lifestyle and identity. With the Arlberg Club House, this concept has also arrived in the Austrian Alps. While the Club House is generally open to everyone, Members of the House enjoy certain benefits and amenities throughout the building:
Memberships are deliberately divided into different tiers: from the young "Next Generation Member" to the classic "House Member" and the limited number of "Founding Members"—all categories will have access to the new Member's Floor starting in winter 2025/26, including restaurant reservations, invitations to events, private sales in the concept store, and—for the first members—priority reservations for the upcoming apartment. Membership already includes benefits such as entry with additional guests and waived cloakroom fees. Overall, with this model, the Arlberg Club House offers an elegant balance between exclusivity and accessibility.
Visual by Bernd Gruber
Design-Statement at the Arlberg Club House
The new Member's Floor of the Arlberg Club House was designed by the interior design studio Bernd Gruber – known for its combination of meticulous craftsmanship, conceptual thinking, and a clear, timeless design language. The aim was to create a cohesive design that seamlessly integrates with the existing areas of the building – club, restaurant, and concept store. "It was important for us to create a sense of continuity, to unify the building as a whole through materials and color," explains Bernd Gruber's team. "On the one hand, we used wooden floors, like those in the restaurant, and walnut walls, and on the other hand, high-gloss elements and red travertine, like those in the club's bathrooms – all of which contribute to a sophisticated, glamorous feel."
The Members' Floor was conceived as a space for both retreat and socializing. Dark, warm tones and subdued lighting create an atmosphere that conveys both comfort and exclusivity. "Since the Members' Floor is primarily used in the evenings, we deliberately designed it to be dark and moody – a place that invites you to relax and linger," Gruber continued. The Private Dining Area, in particular, with its fireplace, bar, and integrated library, provides space for convivial evenings, conversations, and quiet moments. A separate Game Room was created for smokers – complete with a seating area, cigar cabinet, whiskey and candy bar, as well as an old-school pinball machine and pool table – a contemporary homage to classic club culture.
This creates a Member's Floor that combines the alpine identity of the Arlberg with international club aesthetics.
