Exclusive downtown club moves closer to Sarasota's approval

Just over  a year after announcing plans to bring its exclusive club to Sarasota, representatives for 1000 NORTH secured partial sign-off of the city’s Development Review Committee on Dec. 17.

Planned for the BLVD Sarasota building at the corner of Boulevard of the Arts and North Tamiami Trail, it will be the second location for the exclusive club featuring a who’s who partnership of professional athletes. The original location is in Jupiter. Its partnership group includes Michael Jordan; professional golfers Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Keegan Bradley, Justin Thomas and others; former NFL player and broadcaster Ahmad Rashad; and retired professional tennis player Serena Williams, among others.

According to its application for administrative approval, the club will lease two of the three previously approved commercial spaces on the first floor and mezzanine level of the building. The first floor will be a fine dining restaurant with seating for 179. The mezzanine level will have a private dining room, wine lockers and a lounge area with an additional 70-seat wine-tasting lounge area.

The club's goal is to have up to 200 members. 

According to project consultant Joel Freedman, members will have access to a private limousine service to shuttle members and guests to and from the club as well as private jet service, access to yachts for cruising along Sarasota Bay and other exclusive services.

“This is really high-end stuff,” Freedman told the DRC members. “No, I am not going to become a member, and they didn't offer me (a membership) in lieu of my fee.”

No details about membership pricing was included in the presentation before the DRC. According to the club’s website, the original Jupiter location is open to the public with a membership option. The Sarasota location will be open to members and invited guests only.