The Pillars Turns One
- Written by Business Daily Media
The Sydney Private Club Where Connections Are Turning Into Deals, Partnerships and New Ventures
• More than 300 members joined within the first eight months
• Investment opportunities, partnerships and ventures already emerging between members
• Growing waitlist as The Pillars builds a reputation as one of Sydney’s most connected private communities
SYDNEY: In Sydney, access has always mattered, but increasingly, it is what happens after the introduction that counts.
Over the past year, The Pillars has emerged as one of the city’s most connected and sought-after private communities, bringing together founders, investors, operators, creatives and executives in a setting where conversations are increasingly leading to investment discussions, strategic partnerships and new business ventures.
Behind the doors of the heritage-listed building at 11 Barrack Street, founders are meeting investors, operators are finding collaborators and creatives are connecting with business leaders, with relationships formed over lunch, events and shared spaces evolving into tangible commercial opportunities.
Members have credited introductions made through the club with leading to new clients, strategic collaborations, early-stage investment discussions and entirely new ventures.
Launched in May 2025, The Pillars was created as a modern private members’ club for ambitious and accomplished individuals seeking a genuine sense of community in Sydney’s CBD. One year on, it has developed into a highly networked environment where relationships, access and repeated interaction are translating into real business activity.
The club attracted more than 300 members in its first eight months and now maintains a growing waitlist, with membership growth driven largely through referrals across Sydney’s business, investment and creative communities.
Year One Highlights
• More than 300 members within the first eight months, with a growing waitlist• Speaker events featuring Michael Cheika, Mark Philippoussis and Dane Rampe
• Partnerships with Hublot, Bollinger, Moët Hennessy, Diageo, Penfolds and IWC Schaffhausen
• Member experiences including Victoria Barracks’ historic wine cellar, Australian Open access, Harbour Bridge Pylon events, Formula One and The Everest
• Commercial partnerships and investment opportunities formed between members
• Programming across business, culture, wellness and sport
• Cultural programming including the Archibald Prize table, Women in Wine and discussions spanning innovation, science and national security
• Wellness programming including Pilates, yoga, contrast therapy, breathwork, longevity seminars and recovery sessions
• Expansion of the club, including a private dining room, an aperitivo bar and reconfigured workspaces.
Co-founder Steve Grace said the level of activity and engagement between members had become one of the defining features of the club’s first year.
“We are seeing founders meet investors, partnerships form and commercial relationships develop naturally through the club,” Grace said.
“When people spend time together consistently in the right environment, trust develops more quickly and conversations become more meaningful.
“One of the most rewarding parts of the first year has been seeing members create opportunities for each other without that being forced or transactional.
“There is a strong sense of momentum building inside the community.”
Co-founder Jonathan Lui said the diversity of the membership had created a unique dynamic across the club.
“The membership brings together founders, operators, investors, creatives and executives across very different industries and stages of business,” Lui said.
“That mix creates opportunities for conversations and relationships that would not normally happen in a traditional networking environment.
“The space and programming have evolved around how members actually use the club, whether that is smaller dinners, wellness sessions, private meetings or larger member events.
“A lot of the value comes from repeated interaction and the relationships that develop over time.”
The Space
The Pillars occupies four levels of the landmark 1849 Victorian Classical building at 11 Barrack Street, with interiors designed by co-founder Emma Blomfield.
The club includes The Library, The Parlour, The Great Room, dedicated workspace areas and a wellness floor featuring sauna and recovery facilities, yoga rooms and private member spaces designed to encourage interaction and connection.
Globally experienced hospitality executive Kieron Hunt was welcomed in early 2026 as General Manager, bringing more than 25 years of leadership across some of the world’s most respected luxury hospitality institutions, including The Peninsula Hotels, The Murray Hong Kong, Shangri-La Group, InterContinental Hotels Group, Hilton and Ovolo Hotels. Most recently, Hunt worked within the Walker Group portfolio, including leadership secondments at Kokomo Private Island, Fiji.
“Private members’ clubs are defined not simply by service, but by community, culture and trust,” says Hunt. “My focus is to deepen that experience, ensuring every interaction reflects the care and discretion of the world’s leading private institutions.”
Joining Hunt has been acclaimed chef Chris Lees as Executive Chef, further elevating dining as a defining pillar of the member experience.
Lees joins from Printhie Dining at Printhie Wines, where he secured a Chef Hat in the 2025 Good Food Guide. His career spans internationally regarded kitchens including Frantzén, Matsalen, Quay, Restaurant at Pearl Morissette and Langdon Hall.
Dining at The Pillars continues to be strengthened through its partnership with The Bentley Group’s award-winning Eleven Barrack, allowing members to order directly from the acclaimed restaurant into the Club.
“Dining is one of the most powerful ways we bring members together,” says Hunt. “Chris’ produce-driven philosophy perfectly reflects the environment we are creating.”
Recent additions to the club include a private dining room converted from the original wine room, an aperitivo bar, and upgraded workspaces informed by member feedback and usage patterns.
Looking Ahead
In its second year, The Pillars will continue expanding its programming across business, culture, wellness and investment.
Upcoming initiatives include a Pillars Literacy Festival and Author Dinner series, private artist studio visits, Vivid Sydney harbour events, Rugby and Football World Cup activations, Formula One experiences, and an expanded founder and investor series.
The club is also continuing collaborations across wellness, entrepreneurship and sport, supported by ambassadors and members including Ian Thorpe and Michael Cheika.
Interviews with the founders are available upon request.
