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The Commonwealth Club has undergone a £4m extension and refurbishment at its Northumberland Avenue premises in London after its owners, the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS), acquired three floors in the adjoining building. The club features a new members’ lounge and bar, an auditorium that can seat more than 200 people, additional function rooms, cloakroom, showers and toilets and additional exhibition space. There is also a new entrance at the corner of Northumberland Avenue which is more visible than the current one at the side of the club that leads to the restaurant. Members and diners using the original entrance, which is being kept, will have privacy from any events taking place at the club. The new entrance features an aubergine floor-to-ceiling curved glass feature. The architect behind the refurbishment was Linda Morey Smith, who designed the first refurbishment of the club eight years ago. The contractor was Ibex Interiors and the project was managed by commercial real estate consultancy Mellersh and Harding. RCS director-general Stuart Mole said: “As well as providing exciting new facilities for our members and their guests, the enlarged premises will allow us to celebrate the multiculturalism, diversity and dynamism of the modern Commonwealth. It will be a major Commonwealth centre, showcasing our charitable programmes and providing a forum of debate on international issues. As such, it will be a natural meeting point for the Commonwealth’s many communities.” The Commonwealth Club celebrated its relaunch with a champagne reception on 19 January, including a special performance from comedian Lenny Henry’s band Poor White Trash.