Crain’s Detroit Business featured the city club’s centennial festivities and its forward-thinking facility updates, which have paid off in the form of membership waiting lists, with 62 people in line for “resident” memberships and 150 for “intermediate” memberships for those 33 and younger.
On December 18, the Detroit Athletic Club (DAC) will cap its yearlong celebration of the 100th anniversary of its downtown “clubhouse.” It promises to be a night for “selfies,” since members and guests are encouraged to don the style of formal attire prevalent 100 years ago, reported Crain’s Detroit Business staff writer Mary Kramer, who then disclosed that she has been a member of the club since 1992.
As it looks back, the DAC is always looking forward. Millions of dollars have been invested in historic restoration and adaptation since 1997, with this year’s improvements bringing the club, literally, to new heights. A “seventh floor” was built out on the original roof, replacing aging courts and storage with private meeting rooms and an informal restaurant, with a spacious outdoor promenade that wraps the building, Crain’s reported.
On the ground level, a glass-encased entry leads into the building. Members can pick up coffee, smoothies and sandwiches from a new coffee shop, and athletes who play racquet sports have a new gallery so more members can watch their competitions, Crain’s reported.
Designed by Albert Kahn, the DAC has been restored and adapted over the years. SmithGroup has been the architect on projects since 1997, and Sachse Construction has completed the last three major projects, Crain’s reported.
All these investments have paid off. Today, the DAC has waiting lists for membership: 62 people for “resident” membership and 150 for “intermediate” membership for members 33 and younger, Crain’s reported.
Executive Manager J.G. Ted Gillary said some weekends the club hosts multiple weddings. Other business lines are up, from business events to a la carte dining. “We did 454 a la carte covers this week on a Tuesday night, between the roof and the Grill Room,” Gillary said.
Today, the membership is greatly diverse—by industry, gender, race, ethnicity and age, Crain’s reported.
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