New Luxury Members’ Club Hits Opening Snag After UES Neighbors Push Back

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — The Upper East Side's Community Board 8 has shot down a liquor license application from a new members' club after several neighbors raised noise and privacy concerns earlier this week.

The British members' club, which is preparing to take over an Upper East Side mansion at 24 East 81st St. between Madison and Fifth avenues, would encompass all five stories at the historic limestone building, including the rooftop terrace.

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The plan for the roof, in particular, drew the most criticism from the building's neighbors.

"The proposed rooftop use at 24 East 81st would significantly impact the privacy and quality of life of our tenants," Jibril Younes, a representative of 26 East 81st St., said. "Instead of one family, our tenants would face 20 to 30 patrons gathering just 15 feet from their bedroom windows late into the evening."

The club will be operated by Estelle, the same partners as the Celeste members' club in Notting Hill, London.

When the Estelle team first presented their plans for the mansion earlier in the month, the group showcased the club as a discreet, tasteful addition to the neighborhood.

"We're clubs with old school values that really promise individualized service and the utmost discretion, but with a bit of a new school spirit where our members have plenty to say but nothing to prove," Sean Coogan, a representative of the brand, previously told the community board.

However, neighbors urged the Community Board to reject a liquor license for the building unless rooftop food and beverage service was prohibited.

"The backyard is really full of nice townhouses between Madison and Fifth Avenue on the 80th and 81st Street, and sound carries like crazy back there, so we really are hopeful that you'll really limit the activity to the building and not to the terrace," Frederick Lapham, the president of the Co-op Board at 18 and 20 East 81st Street, said.

No word yet on when the club will open, or what membership will cost, but at Celeste in Notting Hill, membership is £2,580, which comes out to about $3,880.

"I like to party more than anybody," Bill Bryan, a resident at 18 and 20 East 81st Street, said. "This is not where we need it right now."

The building's ground floor is currently occupied by an Italian restaurant, Sistina, which the club would take over.

The members' club would include a restaurant, private dining, a workspace and lounge areas, Coogan said.

"Our concept is to effectively unify the building," Coogan said.

The motion to reject a liquor license for the building unless rooftop food and beverage service is prohibited passed 29 to 13, with one abstention.

Now, the final decision rests with the New York State Liquor Authority. No opening timeline has been released yet.

For questions, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.