Step inside the super-exclusive New York Yacht Club where the America’s Cup race began – complete with a 25-foot fireplace, an original Tiffany glass ceiling and a $150,000 entry fee

Standing 25 feet tall and 15 feet wide, the super-exclusive New York Yacht Club’s 25-ton stone fireplace is certainly a sight to behold, and I felt dwarfed by the structure as I stood near the flames that the chimney ran through it. stood

This design marvel was just one of many breathtaking sights I saw during a private tour of the members-only Midtown Club, which officially opened its doors on January 19, 1901.

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Times Square at 37 W 44th St, the six-story Beaux-Arts clubhouse was built by sailor and banker John Pierpont Morgan specifically to house the organization’s growing fleet of members.

Regular maintenance ensures the building always looks first class, with standout features – in addition to the ‘Model Room’ fireplace – a stunning Tiffany stained glass ceiling, a 20 x 6 meter oriental rug and a stunning looking braai room. such as the hold of an old sailing ship and a library with more than 13,000 books and ancient manuscripts.

Tucked away from the bustle of Times Square at 37 W 44th St, the six-story Beaux-Arts clubhouse was built by sailor and banker John Pierpont Morgan specifically to house the organization’s fleet of members.

Before the 44th Street clubhouse was built, the New York Yacht Club had several outposts in the surrounding area. The first clubhouse was opened one year after the club was founded on 15 July 1845

Thanks to its distinctive and unique ship-like design, the 44th St building’s exterior was designated a landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission on September 11, 1979.

It was a Wednesday night, and the downstairs bar was bustling with members—mostly men in sharp suits—with an oyster shell handing out portions of fresh molluscs and a suit-clad waiter taking drink orders.

In keeping with the maritime theme, everywhere I went I saw something related to sailing, with model boats on the walls and paintings depicting scenes being swept by the waves.

As I set my glass down on the table, I noticed that even the paper napkins had a motif with boats and an anchor and the club’s Latin motto, “nos agimur tumidis velis” – “We go with sails rising.”

Other sail motifs, I noticed, are part of the building’s brick-and-mortar design.

For example, three spherical bay windows at the front of the building are modeled on the sterns of 16th-century Dutch ships, and the site has various wood carvings, ranging from the cornice to the mantelpiece, depicting seaweed, shells, dolphins, lightning and stars. and more.

The characterful building was designed by Whitney Warren of Warren and Wetmore, who later became the mastermind behind Grand Central Terminal.

In a video tour of the clubhouse uploaded to YouTube, narrator and professional sailor Gary Jobson explains that while several architects were in the running for the project, John Pierpont preferred Morgan Warren’s “much more whimsical design.”

To finance the construction of the municipal clubhouse, the membership fee was increased from $25 a year to $50.

According to ncesc.com, regular membership is slightly more expensive today with an initiation fee of $150,000 and an annual fee of $12,000.

In addition to a good account balance, potential members must be nominated by an existing member, with that nomination supported by at least four other members.

The membership committee will then request that the candidate submit an application along with letters of recommendation detailing their qualifications.

As for the benefits of membership, ncesc.com explains that benefits include “access to club facilities including dining rooms, bars, meeting rooms and sailing centres”.

“Members also have access to the club’s extensive library, archives and art collection.” In addition, the club organizes numerous social events throughout the year, including regattas, dinners and receptions.”

In Jobson’s video tour, he also reveals that there are 19 “comfortable bedrooms for members and their guests” that can be booked at a discounted rate.

Before entering the club, we were informed that business attire must be worn, i.e. tie, jacket and collared shirt for men and suit or formal wear for women.

The paper napkins in the dining room have a motif of boats and an anchor, as well as the club’s Latin motto “nos agimur tumidis velis” – “We go with rising sails”.

An exterior shot of the distinctive clubhouse from 1934. Today it looks much the same

The library at the Manhattan Clubhouse contains over 13,000 books and ancient manuscripts

A special feature of the club is a braai area designed like the hold of an old sailing ship

One of the club’s standout rooms is definitely the cavernous Model Room, which can comfortably accommodate over 300 people across 3,800 square feet of playing space.

The room houses 1,340 full-scale replicas of sailboats, with the earliest model dating from 1819

If you can’t get club membership or don’t have the appropriate qualifications, the New York Yacht Club offers public tours on the last Tuesday of each month.

One of the club’s standout rooms is definitely the cavernous Model Room, which can comfortably accommodate over 300 people across 3,800 square feet of playing space.

Along with the fireplace, the room houses 1,340 scale replicas of sailboats displayed in large glass cases, with the earliest model dating from 1819.

One of the spaceships is a mini version of the “America”, which was responsible for launching the America’s Cup.

On August 22, 1851, the full-sized 100-foot schooner, built by commodore and founder of the New York Yacht Club, John Cox Stevens, competed against 15 English yachts of the British Royal Yacht Squadron in an annual race known as the “100 Guineas.” Cup” included a lap around the Isle of Wight.

The visiting American won by eight minutes over his nearest competitor. The trophy was renamed in his honor and donated to the New York Yacht Club.

An attached deed of gift stipulated that the Cup would be held in trust as a perpetual traveling trophy, and so the race for the America’s Cup was born.

Today, the race is run every four years as a two-yacht race, with the previous year’s winner – the so-called “defender” – and a challenger, who is usually the best boat of a series of play-offs.

Before the 44th Street clubhouse was built, the New York Yacht Club had several outposts in the surrounding area.

The first clubhouse was opened one year after the club was founded on 15 July 1845.

The club’s website states that this venue was a one-room Gothic Revival-style building designed by “renowned” architect AJ Davis on property owned by Commodore John Cox Stevens in Hoboken, New Jersey.

Over the next half century, the club occupied four additional clubhouses: two in Manhattan and two on Staten Island, and at times the club also had eleven “stations”.

These “stations” consisted of smaller buildings and docks where “members and friends could meet, send a letter or make a phone call.”

Now the club has only one other waterfront outpost in Newport, Rhode Island besides the 44 St property.

Thanks to its distinctive and unique ship-like design, the exterior of the 44th St building was designated a landmark by the City of New York Landmarks Preservation Commission on September 11, 1979.

If you can’t join a club or don’t have the appropriate qualifications, the New York Yacht Club offers public tours on the last Tuesday of each month. And since I’ve been there myself, it’s definitely worth a trip.