The St. Petersburg Yacht Club, one of the city's oldest and most prestigious institutions, has revealed new conceptual designs for a potential complete rebuild of its historic downtown clubhouse. At a town hall meeting held on September 2nd, club members were presented with architectural renderings that showcase how a reconstructed facility might appear at its longstanding waterfront location.
The proposed designs, created by West Palm Beach-based architecture firm Spina O'Rourke & Partners, envision a three-story building that would overlook the downtown waterfront at 11 Central Avenue, where the club has been situated since 1917. The current Spanish Mission-style building, originally designed by architect George W. Stewart, has undergone multiple renovations since its opening in 1917, with the most recent major update completed in 1989.
The primary concern driving these redevelopment discussions stems from the building's vulnerability to flooding. The existing structure sits at an elevation roughly six feet below current FEMA flood standards, raising serious questions about its long-term storm resilience. This issue was first highlighted during a comprehensive facilities study conducted in 2023, which revealed that if storm damage ever exceeded 50 percent of the building's appraised value, FEMA regulations would mandate complete replacement rather than repairs.
These findings prompted the club's leadership to develop a master plan in 2023 to address the facility's future. "It was a five-plus-year vision of what the future of the club might look like," explained Commodore Christian Bergstrom in a recent interview. "At this point, we're progressing along that path by looking at various concepts, whether that be a remodel, some other type of upgrade to the facilities, or a complete rebuild. Everything is still on the table."
The September presentation outlined three distinct architectural styles for a potential new clubhouse: Mediterranean, Modern, and Coastal Urbane. According to the architectural team's presentation, the design philosophy draws inspiration from "sea, sky, and sail," featuring architecture and interiors that balance heritage with elegance. The concept emphasizes "sunlit spaces, refined materials, and curated nautical details" to create an environment where "history feels alive, community flourishes, and the spirit of sailing endures for generations to come."
The proposed facility would feature a comprehensive three-level layout with distinct amenities on each floor. The first floor would house a lobby and reception area, ship store, heritage lounge, regatta room, a 1909-style dining room, private locker room, central kitchen, and outdoor dining spaces. The second floor would accommodate a ballroom with pre-function room, bridal suite, library and gallery, card room, commodore's wine room, administrative offices, and an outdoor patio.
The third floor would offer recreational amenities including a tiki bar, pool and sundeck, casual restaurant, snack bar, children's room, multi-purpose room, locker rooms with outdoor showers, and additional outdoor dining areas. The plans also incorporate new parking facilities and expanded storage throughout the complex.
"The main focus right now is to get credible cost estimates for what each option would entail," Bergstrom noted. "Hardening a building that has to be elevated and upgraded, or looking at a rebuild that would call for the building to be razed. Is it even possible to lift a 51,000-square-foot structure that was built in multiple phases? We are not sure yet."
Current estimates place the cost of a complete rebuild at approximately $50 million, though Bergstrom emphasized that these figures remain preliminary. "Those are very, very rough estimates," he cautioned. "They will be reviewed, revamped, and revised as we go through this process. We're working with consultants to make sure we have accurate cost estimates, what's feasible and what's not, so we can make a sound decision on what the future of the club should be."
When the club first announced its redevelopment intentions in June 2023 under then-Commodore Brian K. Smith, the board of directors had already voted to demolish and replace the clubhouse while raising monthly membership fees to help offset costs. At that time, the plan specifically called for a new Mediterranean-style building with construction expected to begin around 2028 and continue for two years.
However, since that initial announcement, club leadership has adopted a more comprehensive evaluation approach. "Next steps are to continue along the evaluation process that the master plan sets out," Bergstrom explained. "We're working with consultants, getting ideas from architects, and focusing on credible cost estimates for each option." The five-year timeline remains consistent with the original vision, meaning potential groundbreaking could occur around 2028 or 2029, though no final decision has been made.
Unlike most properties along St. Petersburg's downtown waterfront, the Yacht Club's land is privately owned, which significantly simplifies the redevelopment process. This means the club's redevelopment would not require a public referendum, which is typically necessary for construction projects on city-owned waterfront property. "We have a perpetual deed to the land that allows us to exist there as long as we operate as a yacht club," Bergstrom noted.
Founded in 1909, the St. Petersburg Yacht Club has weathered numerous challenges throughout its history, including hurricanes, economic recessions, and decades of dramatic change within downtown St. Petersburg. The club's first clubhouse opened in 1917 but was severely damaged by the devastating 1921 hurricane. Despite this setback, members successfully rebuilt and expanded the facility the following year, demonstrating the organization's resilience and commitment to its waterfront location.
More than a century later, the club finds itself facing a remarkably similar situation: how to honor its rich historical legacy while adequately preparing for future challenges. The decision to renovate the existing structure or pursue a complete rebuild will ultimately be made by the board of directors, Bergstrom confirmed, but member input will play a crucial role in the final determination. "We want to ensure that whatever we decide represents the best interests of our members and the legacy of this club for the next 100 years," he concluded.
