Fatiha Betscher in St. Andrews
Tiger Woods has captured two of his 15 majors championships at the Home of Golf in St. Andrews and Justin Timberlake is also no stranger to teeing-up in the Auld Grey Toon.
However it comes somewhat of a surprise that the now business partners are planning to open pub in St. Andrews. When you think about it though, and know just how much more popular South Street is becoming particularly with visiting American golfers, it makes great business sense.
For anyone wondering why this is news, well it’s not just going to be your normal Scottish-like pub that are so common in St. Andrews but rather this one will be a super upmarket Super T-Squared Social pub, and just like their first pub that opened just a few weeks ago right in the heart of Manhattan.
And so, Tiger and Justin have announced they will open their second T-Squared Social pub at the Home of Golf, in the New Picture House Cinema on North Street in St. Andrews, located just three minutes from the famed Old Course.
The New Picture House Cinema is also just a wedge from the University of St. Andrews while it’s a good Woods drive from the resting place of Old Tom Morris.
I was last in the New Picture House Cinema two years ago for the exclusive launch of the movie ‘Seve’, ahead of the 150th Open at St. Andrews.
However, let’s be clear here as the New Picture House Cinema will remain and is not being knocked down, the new T-Squared Social will be located within the New Picture House built over 90 years ago by local businessmen. After undergoing extensive renovations to support its new offerings, T-Squared Social will maintain one of the movie screen theaters for watching theatrical films, live-to-cinema events, and marquee TV programming.
David Morris, managing director of the New Picture House, said: “Since opening for the first time in 1930, the New Picture House has been an integral part of the town’s entertainment base. The planned T-Squared Social investment will enable the local community, students and visitors, the opportunity to experience a broader range of cinema, dining and entertainment at the popular venue.”
“This unique investment opportunity will secure greater employment opportunities and the long-term future of the venue. We are excited to welcome Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake to St Andrews.
“The New Picture House will continue to operate as usual until further notice. The Directors look forward to supporting T-Squared Social with their development plans and to welcoming new and existing customers into the New Picture House on completion of the re-development works.”
So what is T-Squared Social? Well it merges elevated cuisine and craft cocktails with state-of-the-art Full Swing simulators for golf and other interactive gameplay, duckpin bowling, darts, and premium sports-watching with large format televisions.
T-Squared Social (an homage to the “T’s” in Tiger and Timberlake) recently opened its first venue in the heart of New York City and looks to St. Andrews – “The Home of Golf” – to debut the second location, catering to both locals and visitors to the town.
Both Woods and Timberlake are no strangers to St. Andrews. “I have been fortunate enough to enjoy many special moments here at St. Andrews,” Woods said in a press release. “We all wanted to bring our T-Squared Social concept to St. Andrews to add to the local community and be a welcoming place for those living in St. Andrews and for visitors alike.”
“I’ve come to St. Andrews many times to play golf, including to compete in The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship,” Timberlake added in the same press release. “I’m honoured to be able to invest in the town and bring our second T-Squared Social here. Our new venue is so much more than a typical sports bar experience – it’s a place you can go to be entertained without sacrificing quality or comfort.”
Nexus chief executive and managing partner Christopher Anand added: “We are very excited about coming to St Andrews. Tiger and Justin, along with our executive team and partners, are all passionate about the game of golf and revere St Andrews. It is an honour to bring this investment and the T-Squared Social experience to the home of golf.”
Personal touches from Woods and Timberlake will permeate the space, including large-format glossy photographs of Woods on the golf course and Timberlake in concert adorning the walls; customized golf bags inscribed with their names; and a selection of branded-merchandise and coasters etched with their signatures.
T-Squared Social is owned by NEXUS Luxury Collection, 8AM Golf, Tiger Woods, and Justin Timberlake. Retained property advisor Savills represented them with the St. Andrews transaction, with the seller represented by Entertainment Solution Services.
Opening is planned for some time next year.
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