Tag: 1880 SOCIAL

Hong Kong – Private members’ club 1880 Hong Kong has reportedly closed its doors less than a year after its high-profile launch, with financial difficulties cited as the primary reason.

According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the club—an extension of Singapore’s 1880—ceased operations due to cash flow problems and failed fundraising attempts. The venue was located at Two Taikoo Place in Quarry Bay, a commercial property under Swire Properties.

In an internal letter cited by multiple news outlets, founder Marc Nicolson addressed staff directly, expressing regret over the closure. He acknowledged the failure to secure new funding, writing, “I was wrong, and I’m deeply sorry.”

In a separate message to members, Nicolson said that the original Singapore club would continue operations under a new management group. Members of the now-defunct Hong Kong branch would receive a one-year overseas membership as compensation. However, it remains unclear whether refunds will be offered. All memberships and associated privileges have been discontinued.

The SCMP report also noted allegations that 1880 Hong Kong owes back pay to over 100 employees, including kitchen and office staff. The Labour Department has reportedly received requests for assistance from affected workers.

Two former employees, speaking anonymously, claimed they are owed HK$50,000 (US$6,376) and HK$90,000 in unpaid wages, not including severance and annual leave payouts. They said they received only HK$5,000 each in April and were told the rest would follow once new investment had been secured. No further payments have been made, according to their accounts.

No official statements have yet been issued regarding the allegations of unpaid wages or potential legal action.

The club opened on November 8 last year, occupying four floors and featuring event spaces, restaurants, and a gym with spa facilities. It also introduced “1880 SOCIAL”, a lifestyle offering housed in the same location. The Hong Kong outpost was part of a broader expansion, following locations in Singapore and Bali (1880 Brawa).

Hong Kong – Brand practice Anak has unveiled the launch and new brand identity of social club 1880’s latest venture, 1880 SOCIAL, a dynamic lifestyle destination situated at Two Taikoo Place in Hong Kong.

1880 SOCIAL is a first-of-its-kind, fully accessible concept that offers the brand’s signature hospitality and programming to the public. Located on the first three floors of Two Taikoo Place in Quarry Bay, Hong Kong, it joins 1880’s third private members’ outpost, 1880 Hong Kong, alongside 1880 Singapore and 1880 Brawa.

The interiors of 1880 SOCIAL and 1880 Hong Kong, designed by MSDO and AvroKO’s Bangkok studio, feature restaurants, coffee and wine bars, a gym, spa, working lounge, co-creation facilities, event spaces, and more.

Anak collaborated with Swire Properties to bring 1880 SOCIAL to life, working closely with long-time partner 1880 to craft the new brand identity. This marks an extension of the 1880 universe, originally developed by Anak in 2017 for the private members’ club that first launched in Singapore.

Anak created the name 1880 SOCIAL and developed a brand system inspired by the group’s ethos, “in service of good conversations,” capturing the buzz and atmosphere that will define this vibrant social hub.

“We envisioned an identity for 1880 SOCIAL that embodies the dynamic interplay of work and play within the space. Through punctuation and letterforms, notes and chords, steps and routines, we have created layers of innovative graphics and pattern sets that represent the rhythm and flow of life in this multi-purpose campus where conversations spark, ideas flourish, and a diverse community comes together,” explained Jeremy Tan, creative director at Anak.

Inspired by the concept of “reading the room” developed by The Secret Little Agency, 1880 SOCIAL’s logo and monogram incorporate the 1880 wordmark alongside an abstracted ‘S,’ offering a glimpse into a dynamic graphic world.

To embody its brand ethos, the system also features a conversation device that uses typography to “paint” mental images, enhancing movement, energy, and buzz.

Anak developed flexible brand principles that can be applied across various touch points within 1880 SOCIAL. Using patterns inspired by punctuation and notes, the spirit of conversation is embedded in both physical spaces and digital communications, creating a dynamic atmosphere where people and ideas converge.

Marc Nicholson, 1880 founder, shared, “1880’s expansion to Hong Kong marks a thrilling new chapter in our mission to inspire conversations that make the world a better place.” 

“Both 1880 Hong Kong and 1880 SOCIAL embody our commitment to providing world-class hospitality alongside thought-provoking programming, creating a vibrant ecosystem that will redefine the every day in this dynamic city. I’m incredibly excited to see how the Taikoo Place and wider community come together in this beautiful space and where the journey takes us from here,” Nicholson added.