The Ned Doha is set to open its doors in November 2022. Occupying the city’s former Ministry of the Interior building, the property is located on the Corniche waterfront with views over the Persian Sea, city parklands and the neighbouring Doha Palace.

Originally designed by Lebanese architect William Sednaoui in the 1960s, the 500,000ft2 site will comprise 90 guestrooms – including 12 suites – seven restaurants and several members’ spaces, as well as a health club with spa, gym, 30m outdoor pool and event spaces.

 

The new scheme is set over five floors, with architecture by David Chipperfield Architects and interiors by Soho House Design. The team used The Ned London as their inspiration to create a ground floor atrium with a live performance stage at its heart, surrounded by restaurants. In another nod to the original Ned, green Tinos marble has been used throughout the communal areas. Outside meanwhile, a garden boasts water features, space for contemporary sculptures and a pergola design to provide sun-dappled shade.

Ned’s Club members will have access to Millie’s on the ground floor, as well as a balcony level for a bird’s eye view of stage performances. On the rooftop, Ned’s Club Upstairs is a beacon of 70s glamour, with a warm wood palette, touches of gold, statement furniture, silk rugs and modern lighting. There is also a 1970s inspired Ned’s Pool Club with private cabanas overlooking a green 30m pool, terrazzo flooring and green and white striped daybeds.

Also on the top floor, the Ned’s Club Spa and Gym offers panoramic vistas of the city and an extensive treatment list. The Health Club is home to a gym and studio space with top-of-the-range equipment and a selection of classes, plus men’s and women’s individual steam rooms, saunas and a traditional hammam. Strengthening the wellness facilities are two dedicated grooming areas with private internal courtyards; a space for women features a hair salon and services including manicures, pedicures and facials, while the other grooming area for men houses a modern barbershop.

Amongst the member and public restaurants are familiar names like Cecconi’s, Kaia, Nickel Lounge and The Electric Diner, where Millie’s will sit. Malibu Kitchen meanwhile is a Californian inspired outdoor venue open to the public all year around, serving dishes like sea bream tacos and courgette flatbreads alongside others from the grill. Completing the F&B offer is Hadika, a Levantine restaurant focusing on Mezzeh family-style food like fattoush, arayes and shish tawook in a shaded outdoor garden with three private dining rooms.

The hotel’s guestrooms range in size from Cosy, Medium and Large, while the suites with connecting rooms boast mirrored headboards, reflective surfaces, walk-in wardrobes, and outdoor balconies. Each channels a glamorous 1970s design, with silk drapes, plush velvet woven fabric headboards and marble furniture. Honouring the building’s heritage, the original coffered concrete ceilings have been retained and restored.

Rounding out the facilities, The Corniche Hall is a new event space with its own private entrance, capable of hosting large scale conferences, events and standing receptions for up to 600 people. The venue is filled with natural daylight and arranged around a landscaped courtyard, which also provides additional outdoor event space.

Across the property, an art collection curated by Wadha Al-Aqeedi and Elina Sairanen, co-founders of Mathqaf, brings together the work of local and regional artists in variety of mediums and disciplines. The range comprises over 150 pieces and spans painting, photography, sculpture, drawing, textile and installation, many of which have been specially commissioned. Through an array of themes – including identity, history, culture, globalisation and ecology – the collection explores preoccupations and inspirations that drive the work of contemporary artists in Doha and the Arab region.