Marrakech meets Soho: Broadwick Soho celebrates the arrival of El Fenn Marrakech at Flute for a summer-long programme showcasing North African culture
Today, Broadwick Soho launches its much-anticipated cultural residency with Marrakech’s iconic El Fenn, transforming London’s best rooftop into a vibrant outpost of contemporary Moroccan creativity. Running until 31 August, the residency celebrates the deepening cultural dialogue between Morocco and the UK through art, music and design events, bringing together some of the country’s most exciting creative voices with London’s dynamic cultural community.
The residency launched last night in spectacular fashion with an exclusive preview that welcomed leading figures from the worlds of art, design, fashion, music and hospitality. Guests including Vanessa Branson, Dennis Okwera, Sophie Ashby, Rejina Pyo, Sandy Powell, Saffron Vadher, Hollie Bowden, Bunmi Agusto, Patricia Zhou, Roses Gabor and Zoe Zimmer joined a new generation of North African creatives including Hassan Hajjaj, Hayden Cassidy, Rita Kamale, Ziyad Buainain, Touria El Glaoui, Aicha McKenzie and Trino Verkade to celebrate the beginning of the residency—setting the tone for a summer of creative exchange between Marrakech and London.
As the sun set over Soho – with temperatures soaring to resemble medina heat – guests were refreshed with Palmerie Martinis and experienced El Fenn’s unmistakable world through contemporary Moroccan sounds and performances from rising artist Thaïs Sala, Beats Kebab and Anissa Kermiche, while the rooftop was transformed with El Fenn’s distinctive interiors, artwork, lanterns and decorative objects.
A highlight of the evening was the unveiling of Between The Rooftops, a new exhibition curated by renowned Moroccan artist Hassan Hajjaj, often referred to as the “Andy Warhol of Marrakech”. The exhibition presents previously unseen works by influential North African photographers Ismail Zaidy and Fatimazohra Serri, whose images offer a fresh and evolving portrait of contemporary Morocco. Hajjaj, who is preparing for his forthcoming solo exhibition at Sotheby’s this July, personally curated the showcase for the residency launch.
“What feels especially exciting right now,” commented Joshua Gardner, Co-Founder of Broadwick Soho “is the extraordinary energy coming out of Morocco. A new generation of artists, musicians and designers is redefining how the country is seen and heard around the world. Some are already gaining international recognition, while many others are still waiting for the wider platform their talent deserves. This residency is about creating that platform. It’s about giving artists somewhere to exhibit, musicians somewhere to perform, and bringing together creative voices from Marrakech and London to spark new conversations. What makes this partnership feel so natural is that both Broadwick Soho and El Fenn sit at the creative heart of our cities. Soho has always been a place where artists, musicians, writers and cultural pioneers come together, and like El Fenn, we believe hotels can be much more than places to stay. They can be salons, galleries, stages and catalysts for cultural exchange.”
Over the coming two months, the residency will present an evolving programme of exhibitions, live music, artist talks, intimate dinners, lunches, DJ sets and salons, celebrating the richness and diversity of Morocco’s contemporary creative scene while encouraging new collaborations between Moroccan and British artists and cultural figures.
Programme Highlights:
ART
14 July – Art, Instinct & the Collector’s Eye
A special lunch hosted by Vanessa Branson, Cultural Ambassador of El Fenn, alongside Broadwick Soho Art Curator Jonathan Brook, moderated by interior designer and broadcaster Sophie Robinson. Guests will enjoy a guided tour of Between The Rooftops followed by a discussion exploring curation, collecting and Morocco’s flourishing contemporary art scene.
11 August – Art in Conversation
Vanessa Branson and Jonathan Brook discuss the role of art at the heart of both hotels and the growing international recognition of Morocco’s creative community.
MUSIC
Throughout July and August, Flute will host an evolving programme celebrating contemporary North African, SWANA and global sounds, with performances from Beatkozina (27 June & 24 July), Betulia (2 & 16 July), Babi (3 July), DJ U-CEF (8 July), Sophia Kacimi (9 July), Ricali (17 July), Rita Kamale (23 & 31 July) and MARO (6 August).
As Morocco’s creative influence continues to shape global conversations across art, design, fashion and hospitality, the Broadwick Soho x El Fenn residency offers a rare opportunity to experience the energy, optimism and cultural dynamism of contemporary Marrakech in the heart of Soho.
El Fenn at Broadwick Soho runs from 25 June to 31 August 2026.
Spaces for events are limited and advance booking is required: flute@broadwicksoho.com
