Three decades and 40 restaurants later, superstar chef and humanitarian José Andrés is getting into the hotel game for the first time. The Bazaar House by José Andrés is scheduled to open in Georgetown in 2027, per a Wednesday press release from José Andrés Group.
His eponymous hospitality company’s first-ever hotel is sized on the boutique side (67 rooms). The luxury property will also sport an “exclusive” private membership club, “multiple” food and beverage venues under the Andrés umbrella, an events space, wellness center, “high-end” retail offerings, and more (3000 M Street NW). Thor Equities, the mega-developer behind fancy hotels like the Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons, is a named partner on the project.
Its private penthouse component called the Bazaar Club will be the main focus up top, complete with a “signature restaurant” that promises prime vistas of historic Georgetown. Based on the name, it would make sense it would be an offshoot of Bazaar by José Andrés, his polished Spanish spot out of Los Angeles that overlooks the lobby of downtown’s Waldorf Astoria.
This isn’t Andrés’ first project in the tony Northwest neighborhood; his short-lived America Eats Tavern closed down during the early days of the pandemic. Georgetown is enjoying a revival as of late, with East Coast restaurant magnate Stephen Starr (Le Diplomate, St. Anselm) and LA star chef Nancy Silverton prepping to debut Osteria Mozza in the old Dean & DeLuca space this fall.
Andrés’ glitzy announcement comes soon after a shift in upper management. Back in May, Andrés stepped down as the chief executive of his eponymous culinary empire that started with Jaleo in D.C. José Andrés Group (formerly known as ThinkFoodGroup) promoted Sam Bakhshandehpour from president to its new global chief executive. Andrés handed off the title but remains the founder and executive chairman. Bakhshandehpour, who now runs day-to-day operations, has ambitious goals to expand José Andrés Group in domestic and international markets.
“Today I’m so happy to start a new chapter with the Bazaar House in Georgetown, an amazing opportunity to welcome people to my city in an entirely new way,” says Andrés, in a statement.
Andrés is already in the members-only space. His new Signature Club & Lounge at Capital One Arena, first announced in summer 2023, opens soon with Andrés headlining the food and beverage program. Promising the “most exclusive sports and entertainment experience” in the area, the 5,000-square-foot club off the main concourse level fills the hole where Chipotle and McDonald’s formerly sat along 7th Street NW.
The incoming project augments Andrés’ Penn Quarter restaurant row, which includes Oyamel, China Chilcano, and Jaleo. Members have a required three-year commitment ($15,000; $18,000; and $19,000), and perks include lower-level tickets to 40 Capitals and Wizards games each season.
For now, it’s unclear how much it will cost to join the scenic Georgetown club.
Pricey membership clubs with food as a focus are on the rise as a whole across the city. Ned’s Club Washington D.C., an elite brand birthed by two Soho House bigwigs in London, debuts soon near the White House with two restaurants that aren’t open to the public. And West End’s ritzy wine vault-slash-bar WineLair recently tapped culinary vets Scott Drewno and Danny Lee to take over the menu.
