Soho House, the global chain of private members’ clubs, has been acquired for £2 billion ($2.7 billion) by a US-based consortium led by MCR Hotels, one of America’s largest hotel groups, and private equity firm Apollo. Hollywood actor and investor Ashton Kutcher is a prominent member of the group and will join the Soho House board.

The transaction returns Soho House to private ownership after four years on the New York Stock Exchange. During its time as a public company, Soho House faced challenges around profitability and exclusivity. The acquisition price of $9 per share represents an 18% premium on the most recent closing price, though still below the stock’s 2021 peak.

Existing shareholders, including founder Nick Jones, restaurateur Richard Caring, and billionaire Ron Burkle, will retain their stakes. Tyler Morse, CEO of MCR, will assume the role of Vice Chairman. The consortium plans to leverage MCR’s operational expertise to drive growth, with new club openings slated across Europe, Asia, and the US.

Currently, Soho House operates 46 clubs worldwide, serving a celebrity-heavy clientele that includes cultural leaders and public figures such as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The acquisition is viewed as a strategic move to restore the brand’s mystique and exclusivity, which some observers felt had been diluted by rapid expansion.

The deal concludes Soho House’s turbulent chapter on the public markets and paves the way for fresh investment, renewed focus on exclusivity, and continued global growth under private ownership.