Metro

Posh Soho House boots ‘uncool’ members

First it was a purge of the suits — now Soho House is getting rid of the people who wear them.

The exclusive club in the Meatpacking District — patterned after its British ancestor as a haven for power players in movies and media — is kicking out hundreds of members to cull a crowd that’s gotten more corporate than cool.

Not even longstanding members have been spared.

“It is so disrespectful,” harumphed one disgruntled ex-member who joined in the club’s first year, entertaining movie stars and presidents there.

“I can’t even get anyone responsible on the phone to tell me why they didn’t renew my membership.”

About 500 members have been purged so far and another 500 may be on the chopping block soon, said Nick Jones, who founded the original Soho House in London in 1995.

“We are trying to get the club back to its creative roots,” Jones told The Post.

And its exclusive cachet.

“When I went there, it didn’t have the right feel anymore,” Jones sniffed. “It has always been a creative, friendly place with a relaxed feel. If there are too many corporate types around then that atmosphere doesn’t occur.”

The club has 4,500 members, with 3,000 people on the waiting list. Jones said he wants to get it down to a fabulous 4,000.

“I’d be upset, too, if it happened to me,” Jones concedes. “When we started this process we knew we were going to upset people, but none of it was personal.”

The cuts began a year ago.

With $20 million in revenue last year alone, the club can well afford the purge.

Its pockets got even deeper when fashion moneyman-turned-restaurateur Richard Caring, one of Britain’s richest men, bought an 80 percent stake in 2005.

While Soho House encourages “under 27” memberships, Jones says the purge is not ageist — as some are loudly grumbling.

“It’s all about the right mix,” he said.

Jones freely admits he wants to see less suits lounging about — and he kicked up a media storm last summer when Soho House requested members not wear suits and ties.

But he claims the changes are working.

“It’s a more relaxed and friendly environment. It’s really making me happy. It is getting back to where we started,” he said.

Caring, who brought London’s pricey Le Caprice restaurant to New York’s Pierre Hotel — and partnered with Keith McNally and Nate Appleman’s Pulino’s Bar and Pizzeria in the Bowery — is also helping Soho House expand its brand.

In New York, The Soho House Group will open a Cecconi’s soon — Jones’ beloved Italian “au casual” restaurant, which is also in LA.

Soho House New York will soon be getting a “refurbishment,” and in trendy West Hollywood, a Soho House opens March 8, though without a pool, restaurant, gym or spa. A Soho Beach House Miami will follow in the fall, and Soho House Berlin will open later this year in an ex-Hitler Youth headquarters.