CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS
We have established a written related party transaction policy that provides procedures for the review of transactions in excess of $120,000 in any year between us and any covered person having a direct or indirect material interest with certain exceptions. Covered persons include any director, executive officer, director nominee, stockholders known to us to beneficially own 5% or more of our voting securities or any affiliates and immediate family members of the foregoing. Any such related party transactions shall require advance approval by a majority of our independent directors or by our Audit Committee.
The related party transactions described below reflect all transactions, since the beginning of our last fiscal year, or any currently proposed transaction, in which we are or will be a participant and the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and in which any related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. All of the transactions described below have all been approved pursuant to the Company’s existing related party transaction policy.
Transactions with Our Owners and Directors
Lease contracts with Related Parties
The Company leases Soho Works Washington, 875 Washington Street, New York City, New York, from an affiliate of Raycliff Capital, LLC which is controlled by a member of the Company’s board; however, on June 20, 2024 the member stood down from the Company’s board and as of this date the individual was no longer considered a related party. The handover of five floors of the leased property occurred on a floor-by-floor basis resulting in multiple lease commencement dates in 2019 and 2020. The various lease contracts run for a term of 15 years until March 31, 2036, with further options to extend. The rent expense associated with this lease was $7 million during the fiscal year ended December 29, 2024.
The Company is party to a property lease arrangement with The Yucaipa Companies, LLC for 9100-9110 West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California. This lease runs for a term of 15 years until March 31, 2030. The operating right-of-use asset and liability associated with this lease are $6 million and $8 million as of December 29, 2024. Rent expense associated with this lease totaled $2 million during the fiscal year ended December 29, 2024.
Through Soho-Ludlow Tenant LLC, the Company is a party to a property lease agreement dated May 3, 2019, for 137 Ludlow Street, New York City, New York with 137 Ludlow Gardens LLC, an affiliate of The Yucaipa Companies, LLC. This lease runs for a term of 27 years until May 31, 2046, with options to extend for two additional five-year terms. The operating lease right-of-use asset and liability associated with this lease were $8 million and $15 million, respectively, as of December 29, 2024. The rent expense associated with this lease was $1 million during the fiscal year ended December 29, 2024.
The Company leases the Little House West Hollywood, 8465 Hollywood Drive, West Hollywood, California, from GHWHI, LLC, an affiliate of The Yucaipa Companies, LLC until August 2024 when ownership was transferred to a third party. This lease commenced on October 16, 2021. This lease runs for a term of 25 years (15-year base lease term, including two 5-year renewal options). The rent expense associated with this lease was $6 million during the fiscal year ended December 29, 2024.
The Company leases the Tel Aviv House, 27 Yefet Street, Tel Aviv, Israel, from an affiliate of Raycliff Capital, LLC which is controlled by a member of the Company’s board; however, on June 20, 2024 the member stood down from the Company’s board and as of this date the individual was no longer considered a related party. This lease commenced on June 1, 2021. This lease runs for a term of 19 years until December 15, 2039. The rent expense associated with this lease was $3 million during the fiscal year ended December 29, 2024.
The Company leases a property from GHPSI, LLC, an affiliate of The Yucaipa Companies, LLC, in order to operate the Le Vallauris restaurant, 385 West Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, California. On October 21, 2024, the Le Vallauris (California, US) lease contract was modified to defer the rent until Soho House Palm Springs’ opening date. This modification was a result of rent negotiation efforts between two parties to reflect the commercial relationship between the restaurant and House location. This lease runs for a term of 15 years until March 16, 2037, with options to extend for two additional five-year terms. The operating lease right-of-use asset and liability associated with this lease were $4 million and $4 million, respectively, as of December 29, 2024. The rent expense associated with this lease was $1 million during the fiscal year ended December 29, 2024.