First look at conceptual designs for St. Petersburg Yacht Club’s future in downtown St. Pete
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The St. Petersburg Yacht Club, one of the city’s oldest and most storied institutions, is taking the next step in a multi-year effort to determine the future of its downtown clubhouse.
At a town hall meeting on September 2nd, members were shown new conceptual designs that visualize how a rebuilt club might look.
The renderings, created by West Palm Beach–based Spina O’Rourke + Partners, show a three-story building overlooking the downtown waterfront at 11 Central Avenue, where the club has resided since 1917.
The existing Spanish Mission-style building, designed by architect George W. Stewart, has undergone numerous renovations since opening in 1917, most recently in 1989.
The St. Petersburg yacht Club has been located at 11 Central Avenue in downtown St. Pete 1917 | Google maps
But its low elevation, roughly six feet below current FEMA flood standards, has raised concerns about storm resilience.
That issue was first brought to light during a 2023 facilities study, which found that if storm damage ever exceeded 50% of the building’s appraised value, FEMA rules would require it to be completely replaced.
Those findings convinced the club to create a master plan in 2023.
“It was a five-plus-year vision of what the future of the club might look like,” said Bergstrom in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.
“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,” Bergstrom continued. “Everything is still on the table.”
The September presentation outlined three possible architectural styles for a new clubhouse: Mediterranean, Modern, and Coastal Urbane.
According to the presentation, “the design draws inspiration from sea, sky, and sail, with architecture and interiors that balance heritage and elegance. Sunlit spaces, refined materials, and curated nautical details create an environment where history feels alive, community flourishes, and the spirit of sailing endures for generations to come.”
The proposed layout includes three levels, each with distinct amenities.
The first floor features a lobby and reception area, ship store, heritage lounge, regatta room, 1909-style dining room, private locker room, central kitchen, and outdoor dining.
The second floor houses a ballroom with a pre-function room, bridal suite, library and gallery, card room, commodore’s wine room, administrative offices, and an outdoor patio.
The third floor offers a tiki bar, pool and sundeck, casual restaurant, snack bar, kids’ room, multi-purpose room, locker rooms with outdoor showers, and additional outdoor dining areas.
Plans also include new parking facilities and expanded storage.
“The main focus right now is to get credible cost estimates for what each option would entail. Hardening a building that has to be elevated and upgraded, or looking at a rebuild that would call for the building to be razed,” Bergstrom said. “Is it even possible to lift a 51,000-square-foot structure that was built in multiple phases? We are not sure yet.”
A complete rebuild is currently estimated at around $50 million, though Bergstrom stressed those numbers are preliminary.
“Those are very, very rough estimates,” he said. “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 intention to rebuild in June 2023 under then-Commodore Brian K. Smith, the board of directors had already voted to demolish and replace the clubhouse and raise monthly membership fees to help offset the cost.
At that time, the plan called for a new Mediterranean-style building with construction expected to begin around 2028 and last two years.
Since then, however, club leadership has shifted toward a broader evaluation process.
“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 a potential groundbreaking could take place around 2028 or 2029, but no final decision has been made.
Unlike most properties along St. Petersburg’s downtown waterfront, the Yacht Club’s land is privately owned.
That means the club’s redevelopment would not require a public referendum, which is typically necessary for construction 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 survived hurricanes, recessions, and decades of change within downtown St. Pete.
Its first clubhouse opened in 1917 and was severely damaged by the 1921 hurricane, but members rebuilt and expanded it the following year.
More than a century later, the club faces a similar situation: how to honor its past while preparing for the future.
“The decision to renovate or rebuild will ultimately be made by the board,” Bergstrom said, “but member input will play a key role. 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.”
