OUR HISTORY
S o h o E s t a t e s
1950
Arriving in London
Paul Raymond arrives in London and establishes the Paul Raymond Variety Agency in offices on Charing Cross Road.
1958
Raymond Revue Bar
Paul Raymond opens the Raymond Revuebar as a private club in Walker's Court, Soho, to great popular acclaim. The Revuebar offered burlesque entertainment and strip tease. The Revuebar's famous neon sign was created by neon light artist Dick Bracey.
Raymond Revue Bar
In the 1960s the Revuebar was a hit with the leading entertainment figures of the day. Paul Raymond bought the freehold to the Revuebar and had the beginnings of his Soho property portfolio.
1960
1970's
Windmill Theatre
By 1970s, Paul Raymond had diversified into publishing and took over the adult title Men Only in 1971; his other magazines included Razzle and Mayfair. In 1974, he acquired the lease on the Windmill Theatre. At the Whitehall Theatre, he produced the sex comedy Pyjama Tops, which ran for more than five years along with several sequels. Mr Raymond also controlled the Royalty Theatre.
Property
In the 1970s and 80s Paul Raymond continues to invest in property and expand his portfolio, purchasing freeholds in Soho through his company, Soho Estates.
1970's
1980
Boulevard Theatre
The Revuebar's second venue, the Boulevard Theatre, became the new home for Peter Richardson's comedy club The Comic Strip. Performers included Nigel Planer, Rik Mayall, Adrian Edmondson, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders and Alexei Sayle. It opened in October 1980 and ran until 1981. In 1989, the Boulevard Theatre was also home to Eddie Izzard's stand-up venue, Raging Bull.
Madame Jojo's nightclub
In 1987 Paul Raymond opened Madame Jojo's nightclub. The venue was run by John Wright, better known as Madame Jojo herself, and delighted patrons with its distinctive blend of drag cabaret and burlesque. Madame Jojo's was closed down after the operators lost their licence in 2014. Happily, Soho Estates is bringing the venue back in improved premises in 2021.
1987
John James appointed Director
By 1970s, Paul Raymond had diversified into publishing and took over the adult title Men Only in 1971; his other magazines included Razzle and Mayfair. In 1974, he acquired the lease on the Windmill Theatre. At the Whitehall Theatre, he produced the sex comedy Pyjama Tops, which ran for more than five years along with several sequels. Mr Raymond also controlled the Royalty Theatre.
1990
Soho House Club
The first Soho House Club opens on Greek Street. Soho House Club was founded by Nick Jones and with the help of Soho Estates, they transformed a building on Greek Street into a members club for people in the media and creative industries. An international success story, Soho House has expanded and has established clubs across the world.