Soho House, a posh private-member club with locations in major cities around the world, could be coming to Palm Springs in early 2024.

Representatives for the club submitted documents to the Palm Springs Planning Commission this week detailing plans to turn the Colony 29 event space into a "modern-day swim club" operated by Soho House.

Soho House's Head of Communication in the Americas Jakob Hesketh wrote in an email that the development would add limited new construction to the existing Colony 29 site, rehabilitate its existing facilities and "ensure integration and preservation of the historic character of Colony 29."

The plan, according to Hesketh, will involve adding a new swimming pool, an 80-seat outdoor dining area "inspired 1920s Palm Springs hospitality" and Spanish revival architecture, and new native plants to the landscaping to reduce water consumption. The main house, built by artist John Burnham, will be preserved for use as part of the swim club and at least some of the existing flora will be maintained, Hesketh wrote, adding that a portion of the property will continue to function as lodging units.

Built in the late 1920s and 30s, Colony 29 is a sprawling 7-acre compound that became a popular destination for weddings, corporate events and vacation rentals over the last decade. Affiliates of Soho House's billionaire majority-owner Ron Burkle bought the property for $14.5 million in late 2020 alongside two other historic Palm Springs properties, The O’Donnell House and Willows Historic Palm Springs Inn, and the Le Vallauris restaurant.

Since then, rumors have swirled about the possibility of a Soho House in one or more of the locations. A signed erected in downtown Palm Springs last June as part of efforts to build and rebrand the area as a modern tourist destination, dubbed "The Block," featured an icon labeled "Soho House Opening 2022."

At the time, Palm Springs spokesperson Amy Blaisdell said representatives from Burkle's team had met with the city's planning staff to verify zoning requirements and application processes but had not submitted any applications. She said at the time that "all properties had been discussed," but that the city didn't know which, if any, would ultimately be included in a future Soho House.

The Colony 29 plans outlined by Hesketh did not include any mention of The O’Donnell House and Willows Historic Palm Springs Inn or the Le Vallauris restaurant properties. Hesketh, who is based in New York, said representatives for Soho House were not immediately available for comment Thursday evening.

This is a developing story. Check back soon for more details. 

James B. Cutchin covers business in the Coachella Valley. Reach him at james.cutchin@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Soho House planned for Palm Springs' Colony 29 property