The City Collection Opens First Apartment In London

By: Destination Club News
Date: May 20, 2011

When 2011 began, The Hideaways Club, Europe's largest destination club, formally launched The City Collection, a companion club focused on the world's most exclusive urban destinations. Now The City Collection is proud to introduce the opening of its first property: a posh apartment in London.

Located on Kensington High Street with views over Kensington Palace and Kensington Palace Gardens, the apartment features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a dining area, and lounge. Like other residences within The Hideaways Club, state of the art technology abounds, including flat screen televisions, wireless internet, and more. Renowned design company yoo Furnish has totally refurbished the unit to bring it to the highest of standards for members.

In total, The City Collection will include 120 luxurious apartments dotting the globe with up to £1.8 million invested in each. When first announced, the club unveiled a collection of launch residences that would quickly be added to the portfolio, including London. Up next on the agenda will be an apartment on Miami Beach, a Broadway penthouse in New York's Times Square, and a two bedroom apartment in the El Born district of Barcelona. Earlier this year, Hideaways Club Founder Mike Balfour was in Singapore evaluating potential properties for the new club.

Both The City Collection and The Hideaways Club, now known as The Classic Collection, have been growing at a strong clip despite the still uncertain economic conditions. Last month, The Classic Collection added an Italian villa to their ever growing roster. The five bedroom Tuscan farmhouse is named Il Bosco and showcases many original features, including a watchtower that dates back as far as the 12th century.

Other destination clubs around the world are also again in the buying mode, an unofficial barometer on the health of the industry. New home purchases typically indicate membership growth, and after several years of rather anemic sales, the influx of new members and properties seem to point to at least some bright spots for the destination club sector.

Check back soon for more news on The Hideaways Club and The City Collection as well as all of the latest and greatest in the destination club industry.