A New Era of Connection

Marc Nicholson, founder of private members’ club 1880, on cultivating a community

- Sabrina Low

Marc Nicholson is adamant that a sense of community cannot be manufactured. The founder of private members club 1880 has been grappling with this notion since its inception in 2017. Born from a childhood tradition of what he calls “Wednesday Night” sessions, during which he and his sister would participate in roundtable discussions with journalists, diplomats and artists invited by his parents, 1880 was established as a haven in Singapore where individuals could gather to share their thoughts on different subject matters.

Located in the Robertson Quay neighbourhood and overlooking the Singapore River, 1880 is built on the philosophy that community and culture are organic by‑products of genuine interactions. “I tend to side with the ones that view culture as a living organism. It’s not something that you can define, nor can you really grab it. It’s constantly moving like a shark; it never stops,” Nicholson shares.

With a vision that transcends the traditional concept of a social club, Nicholson sought to create a space that fosters meaningful dialogue and community; one that emphasises genuine human connection. “I believe very strongly in the idea of connecting people and inspiring conversations. There’s a thirst for the intellectual … to feel like we’re involved in the debates at the highest level on a geopolitical or ethical level,” he expounds.