the detroit yacht club

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Founded shortly after the Civil War, the Detroit Yacht Club (DYC), housed in the beautifully restored 1920s Mediterranean style villa, continues to be one of the largest yacht clubs in the United States.

The 1920s were golden days for the DYC. Gar Wood brought the club world class attention with his world speed records in a hydroplane and his Gold Cup victories. During the Great Depression, membership at the club severely dropped and some services were discontinued.

By 1946 the Club became debt free and the women of the club formed the first women’s sailing organization in the country and raced the Club’s catboats. During the 1950’s the Grill and River Vista were enlarged, movie equipment was installed in the ballroom so that theater quality films could be shown every Sunday evening and a little later, an outdoor Olympic size pool was added along with Front and West Docks to increase the number of boat wells to over 350.

Today the DYC offers a wide range of activities to ensure there is something for everyone.

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The Detroit Yacht Club: Restoring a Belle Isle gem

The Detroit Yacht Club building turns 95 this year, and while this historic building sees many events and activities with its members all year, it still shows its age. We recently toured the building with the Detroit Yacht Club Foundation—a non-profit that works to restore the building—to see the efforts that have gone into restoration in the last five years, as well as work that still needs to be done.

Designed by George Mason, the 93,000-square-foot building features one of the grandest ballrooms in Detroit, as well as an indoor pool, a gym, dining facilities, verandas and a patio, an outdoor pool, and of course boat docks. The DYC Foundation was formed to maintain and preserve the building after the DYC was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In the past five years, the DYC has undergone about $1.2 million in restoration efforts. It has many more items on the list before the DYC turns 100 in 2023.

DYC Foundation President Mark Lifter tells Curbed that they prioritize improvements by safety and structural needs, and balance tasks by what members can see. Many improvements are necessary but invisible; he describes it as “sealing the envelope,” or preventing water from coming into the building. This includes extensive roof work and window restoration.

In the 1950’s, a projector was added to show movies in the ballroom. But the area where they built the projector kept leaking, and they had to remove it and redo that area of the roof.

Much of the exterior work also involves replacing the stucco, masonry, painting, and fixing the verandas, which are constantly exposed to the elements.

Inside, the work continues with plumbing, plaster, and painting. The main ballroom is allegedly the largest remaining wood ballroom floor in Detroit. Impressive wood beams line this room, and carefully repainting them is one of the foundation’s next targets. All around the room, you’ll see incredible medallions, massive chandeliers, a Pewabic tile fountain on the side (Mary Chase Perry Stratton was a member), and that fireplace.

In what used to be the original dining room lies another gem. A tiled fountain, where you can see the sun setting and stars rising, was once covered with drywall. Can you imagine mistakenly finding this?

Another target for restoration is in the indoor pool area. This area has many challenges, with the ceiling being the largest. Currently, a net hangs below the ceiling to protect swimmers. Corrosion, moisture, and chlorine have eroded the areas above, and work will be done soon to fix this. The pool itself was created with hundreds of small tiles, and beautiful hand-crafted tiles line the walls surrounding it.

The DYC Foundation hosts fundraisers throughout the year that are open to the public. The next one, the Sixth Anniversary Gala , is scheduled for Friday, May 4. Proceeds benefit the ongoing restoration work of this historic building. Here’s a look around.

Detroit Yacht Club

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The Detroit Yacht Club, located on Belle Isle, which lies on the Detroit River, Michigan, is the perfect venue to create your memorable moment. Welcome your guests to our historic clubhouse, filled with intriguing artistic treasures and stunning architectural details. For up to 350 guests, our professional staff is ready to help bring your event to life!

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• Quality of service 4.8 out of 5 rating 4.8
• Average response time 4.6 out of 5 rating 4.6
• Professionalism 4.7 out of 5 rating 4.7
• Value 4.8 out of 5 rating 4.8
• Flexibility 4.6 out of 5 rating 4.6

Review summary

The Detroit Yacht Club (DYC) is highly recommended by multiple reviewers for weddings. The venue is described as beautiful and unique, with a grand ballroom and a covered veranda overlooking the river. The staff, particularly Samantha, is praised for their professionalism, responsiveness, and attention to detail. The food is also highly acclaimed, with guests commenting that it was the best they have ever had at a wedding. The only drawback mentioned is that the DYC only accepts cash payments. Overall, reviewers highly recommend the DYC as a wedding venue.

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One of the most beautiful places in Detroit to have a wedding. Very professional staff! Very versatile space that can be set up in lost of fun and interesting ways!

Beautiful venue and professional staff! We would definitely recommend to our clients for bridal showers and other events!

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Detroit Yacht Club

Detroit Yacht Club: A Storied Legacy of Elegance and Community

Nestled along the picturesque shores of Belle Isle Park in the heart of Detroit, the Detroit Yacht Club (DYC) stands as a testament to the city’s rich maritime history. Established in 1868, the DYC is one of the oldest and most prestigious yacht clubs in the United States. Over the years, it has become an iconic symbol of elegance, camaraderie, and community. With its breathtaking views, historic architecture, and a deep-rooted passion for boating, the Detroit Yacht Club continues to captivate both locals and visitors alike.

The DYC boasts a magnificent clubhouse, an architectural gem that exudes timeless grandeur. Designed by renowned architect George D. Mason, the clubhouse showcases a unique blend of Georgian Revival and Colonial Revival styles. Its stately columns, intricate detailing, and sweeping verandas create an ambiance of refined sophistication. The clubhouse serves as a gathering place for members, offering a wide array of amenities including dining facilities, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and even a private marina for docking members’ yachts.

Beyond its remarkable architecture, the Detroit Yacht Club is renowned for its vibrant social scene and active boating community. Members share a passion for the open water, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie and friendship. The club organizes numerous regattas, sailing races, and boating events throughout the year, attracting sailors of all skill levels. Whether it’s competing in a race or simply cruising along the Detroit River, the DYC provides an unparalleled platform for boating enthusiasts to connect, learn, and indulge in their shared love for the water.

In addition to its boating and social activities, the Detroit Yacht Club plays a vital role in the local community. The club has a long-standing commitment to philanthropy, organizing various charitable events and fundraisers to support causes that benefit Detroit and its residents. From providing sailing opportunities to underprivileged youth to hosting educational programs on water safety, the DYC strives to make a positive impact beyond its membership. Moreover, the club has played a part in the revitalization of the Belle Isle Park, working closely with local authorities to preserve and enhance this cherished natural treasure.

As the Detroit Yacht Club enters its next century, it remains a beacon of elegance, unity, and maritime heritage. Its rich history, breathtaking clubhouse, and unwavering dedication to boating and community make it a true gem in Detroit’s cultural landscape. Whether one is an avid boater, a lover of history, or simply seeking a place to connect with like-minded individuals, the Detroit Yacht Club continues to offer an unparalleled experience. With its commitment to tradition and its eye towards the future, the DYC is poised to leave an indelible mark on the city’s landscape for generations to come.

Detroit Yacht Club

1 Riverbank Road, Detroit, MI

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Behind the gates of Detroit's exclusive boat clubs

A year ago, a friend and I were denied service at a local yacht club that shall remain nameless for merely mispronouncing the name of the member we'd accompanied (he was outside on his boat). It was my first brush with the exclusivity of a club where boats are kept, and it left me wondering what lived behind the gates of these places where I was not welcome. Turns out, metro Detroit's yacht and boat clubs keep themselves sealed from the public (sometimes with barbed-wire fencing) because everyone would hang out at them if they could. On a visit to five well-known area clubs, we found beautiful views, swimming pools, and frozen blended drinks. But each club was also a cultural microcosm, representative of the people who call themselves members. Join us for a written tour from the blue-collar Kean's Marina, all the way up the coast to the hoity-toity Grosse Pointe Yacht Club.

Detroit Yacht Club

The historic yacht club on Belle Isle is one of Detroit's crown jewels. Founded in 1868, it's one of the oldest clubs in the country, and much of that history has been preserved. The Mediterranean-style clubhouse is steeped in nautical themes, with gold-painted rope and anchor embellishments along the ceiling, the face of poseidon carved into the concrete above the main entrance, and sailboat figurines and paintings throughout. At 93,000 square feet, the clubhouse is believed to be the largest yacht clubhouse in the country. It allows space for a seemingly endless array of amenities that include a banquet hall, bar, restaurant, snack shack, tiki bar, indoor and outdoor swimming pool, squash court, fitness center, beach volleyball court, and concert stage. Hundreds of members have joined the DYC just to utilize those offerings; the club's general manager says two-thirds of its members don't own a boat. And though one might assume such a grand club would feel stuffy or uncomfortable, the DYC appears devoid of pretense. "We're in the heart of Detroit," explains general manager Rick Price. "[The members are] down-to-earth people, they're normal Joe Blows. There's nobody here that looks at me any differently whether they have $10 million in the bank or $100 in the bank."

Kean's Marina

This "resort marina" has the tiki bar and playlist to make you feel as if you've been transported to Margaritaville. Beach music (think reggae hits like "Red Red Wine") plays throughout the marina, and people sip frozen cocktails garnished with mini umbrellas around a U-shaped pool.

Additional amenities include an indoor bar, jacuzzi, playground, and locker rooms. To hang out at Kean's, you must have a boat in one of its 400 wells or a storage rack. A convenience store and gas-up dock can be used by anyone boating on the river. Kean's is more affordable than a yacht club — it costs just $3,500 to put a 30-foot boat in the water and store it in the winter — and as a result, it's more laid-back and diverse. Co-owner Michael Litt says more than half of Kean's membership is black, and there's been a recent uptick in millennials who store their boats there.

Bayview Yacht Club

Bayview Yacht Club offers a home away from home for sailing aficionados in Detroit. It's not uncommon for members to set sail from the club several times each week. Commodore Ryan Farrell says he was up to four days a week until marriage force him to slow down his habit. On most weeknights, dozens of boat crews compete in races on the Detroit River as a sizeable crowd watches from a patio along the water's edge. Major races include a days-long regatta up Lake Huron all the way to Mackinac. Sailing and racing is really the focus here (the club counts an Olympian sailor among its members), so no pools or tennis courts, but there is a gorgeous bar-restaurant and lounge with plush leather seats. Much of the membership is from Grosse Pointe and St. Clair Shores, though the club is trying to diversify and expose more people to sailing. One of those efforts was underway the night I stopped by. Having not recognized me as a member, a regular asked if I was there as a "hitchhiker" — or, a person with no affiliation to the club who can join a boat crew once a week as part of a new program. "It's really not like the elitist sport most people make it out to be, I mean we're just Joe Schmoes around here," member Mike Dodge said as we stood at the water's edge. An air horn sounded, and a fleet of larger yachts came into view. He pointed out a 70-footer estimated to cost $300,000. "That boat typically has a lot more shrimp cocktail and lobster tail on it than some of the other boats," said member Kevin Rossell.

Edison Boat Club

"Egalitarian" is the word member Vince Pardi uses to describe this boat club for current and retired DTE Energy employees and their family members. "I love this club because you can have VP's and presidents and linemen and secretaries and nobody knows or cares," says Pardi. Situated on the grounds of a DTE natural gas plant, the club is more modest and homey than the others we visited. It has only 150 wells, and its primary features include a bar-restaurant, game room, and hangout area. On an overcast Friday evening, people of all backgrounds filled the windowed restaurant to take in the grey-blue view of the Detroit River. The atmosphere was cozy and friendly — no one inquired as to whether I was a member, and a guy who seemed to work at the facility popped up behind the bar and casually poured himself a shot of Jameson before disappearing again. The only unwelcoming aspect of Edison appears to be the barbed-wire fence that divides it from the McMansion community next door.

Grosse Pointe Yacht Club

This massive yacht club on Lake St. Clair is far and away the most grandiose of any club in metro Detroit. The Italian Renaissance-style clubhouse is distinguished by arched windows and a nearly 200-foot bell tower. Inside, an elaborate rotunda connects two dining rooms and a long foyer. There, a large bronze fountain statue called "Rhythm of the Waves" produces a light pattering sound that greets guests when they arrive. The 75,000-square-foot site features a bowling alley, Olympic-sized outdoor swimming pool, multiple tennis courts, and a sailing center. But it's the details that set Grosse Pointe Yacht Club apart. A harbor staff will do "virtually anything for these boating members," a membership marketing manager says, from delivering food to washing boats. A gourmet outdoor pizza oven can cook a pie in 90 seconds. The bathroom in the lobby has lotion and listerine . Grosse Pointe Yacht Club was once ranked the top yacht club in the country and currently sits in the top five. Membership, of course, does not come cheap. A social membership requires an initiation fee of approximately $3,500 and additional payments of about $500 a month. Boating members pay even more. On its website, the club professes to embody "the true spirit of excellence" but adds that "owning a yacht is not a measure of any of our members' worthiness. We value members that are authentic, sincere, and goal-oriented." Ninety percent of the club's members live in the Grosse Pointes.

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Detroit Yacht Club Foundation    |    One Riverbank Rd  Detroit, MI 48207   |   (313) 757-5240

Our Mission ​

The mission of the Detroit Yacht Club Foundation is two-fold: first, to support the preservation of the historic DYC clubhouse, and second, to facilitate educational opportunities that celebrate the historic nature of the Detroit Yacht Club.  Established in 2011, the DYC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization authorized by the IRS to receive donations and bequests of all sizes on a tax-deductible basis.  Funds raised by the DYC Foundation will be used to restore, maintain, and preserve our historically and architecturally significant clubhouse.

The Detroit Yacht Club’s clubhouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.   One of the architectural treasures of Detroit, the Clubhouse was designed by the George D. Mason Company in the Spanish Colonial Revival style.  George Mason was also the architect of numerous significant buildings, including the Masonic Temple, Gem Theater/Century Club and the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.  Dedicated by Detroit industrialist Gar Wood on May 23, 1923, the DYC clubhouse encompasses 93,000 sq. ft., making it the largest, and probably the grandest, yacht club facility in the United States.

To assure a steadfast commitment to its preservation mission, the DYC Foundation is a separate entity, independent from the Detroit Yacht Club.  The Foundation operates under its own Board of Trustees and Bylaws, consistent with state and federal regulations governing foundations.  Current officers and directors of the Detroit Yacht Club are not permitted to serve on the Foundation’s Board.

The Foundation provides a wonderful opportunity to enhance our ability to preserve and maintain the clubhouse for the benefit of current and future generations of members, families and friends in and around Detroit.  Preserving the clubhouse also assures that interested architectural, historical, and other communities will be able to experience and appreciate this great property for many decades to come.

Please browse our website to learn more about how you can contribute to the DYC Foundation, or click Contact Us to obtain more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DYC Foundation? How is it distinct from the Detroit Yacht Club? The DYC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that was created to help preserve and restore the historic Detroit Yacht Club clubhouse and to promote related educational opportunities. The DYC Foundation is distinct from the Detroit Yacht Club, with its own leadership and bylaws. All finances are separate from the DYC, and all financial decisions are made by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees.  Trustees are prohibited from also being current officers or directors of the Detroit Yacht Club. This separation of leadership ensures that the DYC Foundation can focus its resources entirely on the mission to preserve and restore the DYC clubhouse. Why is the DYC clubhouse significant? Why should it be preserved? Designed by noted architect George Mason, the Detroit Yacht Club building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and stands as one of the Midwest’s finest examples of Mediterranean Revival architecture, a style that proved enduringly popular during the early years of the 20th century. The clubhouse features many of the motifs of Mediterranean architecture, including the reddish tile roof, the buff-colored exterior walls, the asymmetrical massing, and the general air of informal, even rambling, design that perfectly reflects the summertime world of a boating community. The clubhouse ranks as the largest yacht club structure in the United States and is one of Detroit’s most distinguished works of architecture.  We are especially proud that our clubhouse is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.

Why should I donate to the DYC Foundation? How will funds be used? The DYC clubhouse was dedicated in 1923 and has been in constant use by DYC members, guests, and Detroit-area residents and visitors the entire time. Though solidly constructed and sound, the building’s condition is not where it needs to be.   The Foundation’s Board of Trustees has consulted with the DYC Board of Directors, the Past Commodores, our Maintenance staff, and reviewed prior studies to evaluate the priorities for restoration and preservation.  This resulted in a consensus that the ongoing problem of water intrusion should be the primary initial target of Foundation support.   Water intrusion is adversely affecting our historic clubhouse in both visible and hidden ways, causing damage to interior ceilings and walls, to exterior walls, doors and windows, and to the ballroom veranda.  Thus, the Foundation’s initial three-year capital campaign is focused on the need to Seal the Envelope of the building to stop water damage and fix unsightly areas for the long term.  The reality is that these problems are serious, and can only worsen and become more costly to remedy.

How is the DYC Foundation distinct from the DYC Preservation Fund?

The DYC Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, focuses on the clubhouse building only, and has leadership, governance, and finances that are completely distinct from the Detroit Yacht Club’s officers and directors.  Foundation funds are generated primarily from tax-deductible contributions and bequests, as well as by seeking grants.  In contrast, Detroit Yacht Club members fund the Preservation Fund via allocation of a prescribed portion of membership dues and initiation fees and from certain capital assessments.  Preservation Fund monies can be used for repair emergencies and preservation needs anywhere in the DYC grounds, harbor or buildings, and thus cannot be devoted strictly to the clubhouse. In recent years, a portion of Preservation Fund allocations have been suspended to maintain club operations, reducing available funds.  While these internal reserves remain important, the amount that can be raised through them is limited.  The Foundation provides a vehicle to generate the more substantial funding necessary to focus on properly restoring and preserving our clubhouse.

How is the DYC Foundation distinct from Member-approved Capital Funding Assessments?

When necessary, capital funding assessments are proposed by the DYC Board of Directors and subject to approval by a vote of the membership.  In some cases, these assessments are adopted to fund specific capital projects needed in the clubhouse, harbor or grounds when those needs exceed monies available from the Preservation Fund or from club operational finances.  Current capital assessments are designated for the replacement of the exterior harbor stairway and for repairs to building support structures in the crawlspace.   In contrast, the DYC Foundation will focus on needs not already addressed by member-adopted assessments.  Instead, it will seek tax-deductible donations, bequests and grants to address other building problems, with emphasis on initial efforts to “Seal the Envelope” to stop water intrusion from further damaging the clubhouse interior and exterior.

Can I designate what my gift will be used for?

It is important that donated funds and grants be primarily focused on the critical need to stop water intrusion and its resulting damages so that subsequent external or internal repairs are long-lasting.  However, the Foundation recognizes that some donors may wish to designate funds for specific purposes and projects, or may wish to split their donation between a specific designation and the Seal the Envelope campaign.  To preserve tax-deductibility and take historic preservation considerations into account, the Foundation Trustees will review requested designations to assure they are consistent with the Foundation’s mission.   Please contact the Foundation at 313 757-5240 or email us at [email protected] to arrange a discussion of a specific designation.

Will the Foundation accepts gifts of stocks or other property?

The Foundation will accept gifts of marketable securities, and will consider other contributions of property on an individual basis.  Please contact the Foundation as indicated above to discuss your situation.

Could I make a gift or bequest to the DYC Foundation in my estate plan? Certainly. In addition to an annual donation, there are many vehicles for planned giving including the use of restricted endowments, charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities, outright bequests, and many other options.  The Foundation cannot provide tax or legal advice, but will work with your tax advisor or estate planning professional as needed to make such arrangements.  Contact the Foundation if you have questions.

Why would the DYC Foundation seek my contributions if I am a former member or was never a member?

The DYC clubhouse was dedicated in 1923 to serve the needs of the members and guests of the Detroit Yacht Club. This historic structure, designed by a prominent Detroit architect, is now part of the cultural and architectural fabric of the Detroit and Southeastern Michigan community.  Millions of people from all walks of life have admired the architecture from Belle Isle or the city shoreline, or attended events within the clubhouse. The DYC Foundation aims to protect this architectural gem for future generations by welcoming contributions from all who want to help protect this priceless historical structure. 

What is the Foundation’s educational mission? The DYC Foundation supports public and private tours of the building for those interested in learning more about its features and heritage.  In addition, the Foundation will arrange more detailed tours for architectural or historical groups by special arrangement with the Detroit Yacht Club. It also works closely with the DYC Club Historian to document and share the clubhouse’s history and design though archives, photography and video made available to members and the public.

Historic Detroit

Every building in detroit has a story — we're here to share it, detroit yacht club - photos, detroit yacht club.

Detroit Boat Club as seen from Lakeside Dr.

Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org

Backside of the Detroit Yacht Club

Detroit Boat Club building on Belle Isle faces demolition — and it’s a big mistake | Opinion

I honestly thought we were over this .

But here's the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, dropping a Facebook post late Tuesday afternoon that presents the demolition of the historic, 121-year-old Detroit Boat Club on Belle Isle as practically a fait accompli.

The case for demolition, of course, is the claim that the boat house , built in 1902 and sometimes called the Belle Isle Boat House, is practically falling down, and that the cost of rehabilitation would be an exorbitant and unwise use of taxpayer dollars — the DNR says rehab would cost $43 million. (If you're not familiar with Belle Isle, the boat club is the large white building on an islet to the east of the MacArthur Bridge ; the Detroit Yacht Club is further east on the island's north bank.)

The Facebook post, and the website it links to, is chock full of pictures showing the dilapidation of the structure.

Here's the problem: Both are cherrypicked, says Henry Goitz, president of the nonprofit Friends of Detroit Rowing, the Detroit rowing club that has leased the boat house from the city since 1996, fielding rowing teams and programs for veterans and youth.

Goitz and Stephen Malbouef, a rower and architectural associate who wrote his thesis on the boat house, say the building is in far better shape than those isolated pictures show, and would cost far less to repair.

That $43 million figure comes from a 2019 Smith Group assessment of the club, Goitz says, and it's a wish-list rehab: "Not just the boat house, that’s restoring the sea wall, the grounds, the bridges on and off the island, the pools ... that's to make everything the way it was back in 1902."

The Smith Group report offered two other options at just a fraction of that cost, Malbouef said: $3.5 million to mothball the building, securing and preserving it for future rehabilitation, or $3.8 million for what the report calls "partial occupancy," what Malbouef says is about 99% of the building.

Belle Isle Boat House photos: See the Detroit Boat Club through the years

The case for demolishing the boat house is a retread of the case against every historic building we've demolished in Detroit in the last 30 years: Too old, too expensive to save, no one wants it, anyway; come on , let's just knock it down already.

It's the argument former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick made when he shuttered the Belle Isle Aquarium in 2005, saying the city was too broke to support a frill like a historic Albert-Kahn-designed aquarium, even after residents voted overwhelmingly to keep it open.

It's the same argument that saw the Statler Hotel and the Lafayette Building and the Madison-Lenox Hotel demolished; too old, too far gone, no one, no one , was ever going to rehab these costly, outdated buildings because they didn't have value, an argument often premised on the belief that Detroit didn't have value.

It was the argument for demolishing the Eddystone Hotel and the Metropolitan Building and the Michigan Central Depot , the train station I used to drive by with out-of-town guests because it was so dilapidated you could see through it .

And — listen to this part — those buildings are still here, thriving and useful. Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert's downtown buying spree brought new life to dozens of buildings even staunch preservationists feared would not survive. Ford Motor Co. is turning the train station into a high-tech mobility center. The Belle Isle Aquarium re-opened in 2012 .

Belle Isle Boat House photos: A tale of two buildings?

The boat house is the third to bear that name on Belle Isle. It's a Moorish-revival building, constructed out of concrete with a stucco facade because fires destroyed the first two boat houses. It's not a large building — about 40,000 square feet, per the Smith Group report, which Malboeuf believes is an overestimate — but it's dotted with beautiful historic fixtures: balcony spindles carved like sea horses, chandeliers, richly hued wooden pillars and large, light-filled windows.

The DNR is taking comment via its website through the end of the year. For demolition, DNR spokesman Tom Bissett says, the state has allotted $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act dollars, a sum that seems to steeply underestimate the cost of demolishing a structure built over a river. Those dollars must be allocated before the Sept. 30 end of the state's fiscal year, but Bissett said the DNR hopes to decide the boat house's fate more quickly.

Neither Goitz nor Malbouef dispute that the building needs work.

Goitz says Friends of Detroit Rowing has spent hundreds of thousands on the boat house, purchasing a new boiler, repairing the roof and restoring the ballroom through volunteer labor.

Nonetheless, the boat house hosted 50 weddings in 2019, the year before the pandemic shut most venues down, taking in about $100,000 in revenue, Goitz said. The boat house, he notes, would make a great Belle Isle Welcome Center, showcasing the history of the island and its rowing club.

The areas of greatest damage, Malbouef says, are along the north façade, where the stucco has separated from the concrete behind it, and where the roof of a porch and ceiling of the oar room collapsed in early 2022. That's when the state called in an outside contractor, deeming the building unsafe, and shutting Friends of Detroit Rowing out.

Restorations of larger buildings in worse shape have been accomplished for less than $43 million, Malbouef noted. Detroit's 100,000-square-foot Metropolitan Building re-opened in 2019 after a $33 million renovation. Abandoned since 1979, it had long been open to the elements. Trees were growing in it. The 55,000-square-foot Wurlitzer Building re-opened in 2017 as the Siren Hotel after a $22 million renovation.

"We've often been involved in buildings people said were too far gone to be restored," said David DiRita, principal of the Roxbury Group, which restored the Metropolitan and the Globe Trading Center Building, now the DNR's Outdoor Adventure Center on the riverfront. "Frankly, in the case of the Metropolitan Building, they were almost right, but in the end it was viable to restore it, because there was an economic proposition behind the restoration."

At $43 million, DiRita said, it's hard to make an economic case. "But that's clearly a very large number for the size of the building."

Belle Isle Boat House: Demolition discussed at park meeting

There's a new hole in the boat house roof, Goitz said, that the DNR is eager to point to as evidence of the building's disrepair — but hasn't been fixed. "It's like they're waiting for something to happen, but they haven’t patched it. They’re trying to make a case to just tear it down. They're not even trying to preserve anything."

With the millions the state has spent on Belle Isle, Malbouef says, "It’s taking me aback how quickly they're jumping to demolition with this building, and how little thought they’re putting into it."

Who will decide?

During Detroit's bankruptcy, the city's emergency manager and financial oversight board leased Belle Isle to the State of Michigan for 30 years, a solution that promised to take the cost of maintaining the island park off the city's books. The state has spent about $120 million on island improvements, from drainage and forestry to roadwork to repairs to the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, Bissett said.

Because of the lease, the state has the authority to make decisions about island infrastructure, buildings and amenities, even though the island and its buildings remain under city ownership.

A spokesman for Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan hasn't taken a position, saying this is "entirely a state matter." Nor has the Belle Isle Conservancy, says interim President Maud Lyon: "We think this is something the public really needs to weigh in on."

The DNR, it seems, can make this decision unilaterally.

When the state lease agreement was signed, many Detroiters feared relinquishing control of an island literally and figuratively important to so many of us, to a state department that feels worlds away from our city and our island. But, on balance, the state has invested in Belle Isle. Longtime drainage and infrastructure issues have been addressed. Unhealthy trees have been replaced, and the island's forested areas have been well managed. A new playground opened out by the nature zoo; the giant slide even re-opened last summer. Other buildings, like the police station and the stables, have been repaired.

The DNR says it's eager to hear what the public thinks. But Goitz and Malbouef believe the state is simply looking for cover to proceed with a decision it has already made: demolition.

In conversation, the building's current use — "leased to a private entity," Bissett said — seemed to be a problem for DNR officials reluctant to use taxpayer dollars for what it perceives as the rowing club's benefit.

That's the wrong way to look at it.

"Nobody should be making a decision about a historic building so important to the city of Detroit and Belle Isle as the Detroit Boat Club based on the cost of demolition or the cost of rehabilitation to the nth degree," DiRita said. "That's the beginning point of the conversation, not the decision."

It's important for everyone involved in decision making to understand how the boat house fits into Belle Isle, DiRita said — whether its value is economic or as a public resource.

The DNR should be judicious with public funds. But it ought to change the way it gauges value. From the vantage point of 2023, few believe the demolition of the Statler or the Madison-Lenox or the Lafayette were sound decisions.

If the problem is how the building is used, change that. If the problem is taxpayer funds, solicit outside donors. But it's exhausting to perceive that we have learned few lessons; that we still believe it makes sense to tear our history down.

Nancy Kaffer is the editorial page editor of the Detroit Free Press. Contact: [email protected].

1661 NE 4th Street

Bend, or 97701, open sun- thurs  11am-9 pm fri & sat  11am-10pm  , mtyc is well-mannered  dog friendly   .

Welcome to Midtown Yacht Club

But where are the boats?

Fortunately we aren’t that kind of yacht club.  

You won’t find any stuffy dinner jackets or snobby members at this club.  

Come by Midtown Yacht Club and enjoy a cold beer and great food cart snacks for a reasonable price.  You’ll find good people and no hassle with a relaxed vibe.  We don’t have a dock to moor your boat, but you won’t need a membership and we aren’t fussy around here.    

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Your One-Stop Resource for Restaupreneurs and Foodies in the Philippines and Southeast Asia

8 Yacht Clubs and Marinas in the Philippines to Moor Your Boat In

FoodfindsAsia.com | 8 Yacht Clubs and Marinas in the Philippines to Moor Your Boat In | Filipinos’ history as a maritime people date back to prehistoric times. In fact, the Philippines’ basic sociopolitical unit today, the barangay, traces its etymological origins to the balangay , the ancient outrigger boats that were used by precolonial Filipino communities to explore and conquer islands this side of the Pacific. As a people belonging to a seafaring culture, it’s no wonder that modern Filipinos are taking a retrospective look at their glorious past as Austronesian mariners and are developing a renewed love for the ocean and marinas as present-day yachtsmen.

Today, Philippine marinas look to accommodate more and more yachts and other pleasure watercrafts as the years go by. In 2017, an ASEAN Briefing op-ed piece named the Philippines as a country with high potential in yacht industry growth. The natural beauty of the Philippine islands and its fantastic bays, combined with a growing interest in leisurely sea travel, can explain the spike in yachting activities throughout the country.

Are you part of the demographic that’s become enamored of the yachting lifestyle? Do you want to know where in the country you can berth your watercraft? Leading sailboat and motorboat authority Europa Yachts is happy to enter the conversation, and recommends the following locations for discovering the Philippines through yachting. Here is a short list of clubs and marinas in the country, organized by island region.  

Manila Yacht Club and Marina, Manila, Metro Manila

Established in 1927, the Manila Yacht Club and Marina is one of the oldest yacht clubs in all of Asia, and is nestled in the scenic Manila Bay. It is also near other well-known landmarks in the city, such as the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the headquarters of the Philippine Navy, and the US Embassy. Facilities in the marina include a launching ramp and a fueling center, and the club itself is host to a restaurant and gorgeous function rooms. The Manila Yacht Club only welcomes visitors who arrive by boat, and it charges an initial security deposit of USD 750 upon arrival. Club membership is mandatory for medium and long-term mooring of boats.

Subic Bay Yacht Club, Zambales

The Subic Bay Yacht Club, which was founded in 1998, upholds itself as the country’s premier yacht club. It operates in the deepest bay in the country, and can host vessels well beyond 50 meters in length. Already benefitting from the innate beauty of the Zambales mountains surrounding it, the club hosts a number of other attractions, including its luxury accommodations, swimming pools, and its own movie theater, bowling alley, and nightclub. Those who venture outside of the club’s premises can also shop for well-priced imported goods at the Subic Freeport Zone, engage in water sports , or sign up for diving excursions.

Punta Fuego Yacht Club, Batangas

Peaceful Punta Fuego is a mecca for those who love the sport of sailing. As per its official website, the Punta Fuego Yacht Club aims to serve “a dynamic and vibrant community of boat enthusiasts and yacht owners.” This it does by playing host to a diverse population of watercrafts, from large catamarans and mono-hull yachts to small boats. Non-members of the club may use the berths for up to 3 weeks, and can refuel at the marina’s fueling station. The yacht club offers other amenities such as locker rooms, shower rooms, Internet facilities, a chart room, and a restaurant called Barracuda Bar, which serves delicious fares. Outside of the yachting crowd, Punta Fuego Yacht Club also caters to those wishing to celebrate weddings, conferences, and corporate events in their opulent quarters.

Puerto Galera Yacht Club, Oriental Mindoro

Further south, yachtsmen may moor at the Puerto Galera Yacht Club in Oriental Mindoro, an island location that’s home to tourist attractions like the Sabang Wreck dive site, lively beachfront resorts, and the Malasimbo Music Festival. Puerto Galera Yacht Club has been in operation for almost thirty years and lends services such as refueling provisions and yacht repairs from its marina. Boat owners also enjoy optimal convenience if mooring here, as they can also shop for spare parts in the nearby Batangas port.

Busuanga Yacht Club, Puerta del Sol Bay Marina, Palawan

Beautiful Palawan is a bucket-list destination for many, especially those who dream of cruising its crystalline waters. Accommodating the yachting community in this island province is the Busuanga Yacht Club, which promises secure mooring amidst breathtaking white-sand beaches. Here, each vessel will benefit from a typhoon-safe harbor, easy refueling, and direct access to transportation hubs like the New Busuanga Airport. Adjoining this marina is the Puerta del Sol Bay Resort, which offers luxurious accommodations to visitors. When not atop the deck of a boat, travelers can also explore the lagoons and freshwater lakes of Coron, go shipwreck diving, or relax in the hot springs of Maquinit.

Iloilo Sailing Club, Arevelo, Iloilo City, Iloilo

Iloilo Province is home to some of the country’s most beautiful old-world architecture, a flourishing ecotourism industry, and delectably fresh seafood cuisine. What will round off an unforgettable visit to Iloilo, however, is an excursion to the Iloilo Sailing Club on a leisure watercraft. The club accepts visitors and encourages membership in the case of medium and long-stay mooring. It also hosts a number of amenities and activities, including a dinghy storage, a beach bar and restaurant, and classes for those who want to learn about sailing. In recent months, the Iloilo Sailing Club has also been a convenient meet-up point for big maritime events, such as the Iloilo-Guimaras Paraw Regatta and the Seafarers’ Job Fair.

Cebu Yacht Club, Mactan Island, Cebu

The historic Mactan Island in Cebu was the site of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan’s arrival in the Philippines. Now known as a commercial hub that hosts a prolific furniture and musical instruments industries, Mactan is also the location of the Cebu Yacht Club, an institution that is beloved by the locals. Aside from being an ideal spot to restock on much-needed fuel and supplies, the Cebu Yacht Club is also a trusted club to commission for boat repairs. There’s a good vibe in this club for everybody, as it sports both luxury accommodations and a waterfront strip of restaurants that laid-back diners can frequent. MINDANAO

Holiday Oceanview Marina, Samal Island, Davao del Norte

The Holiday Oceanview Marina is a major attraction of Samal Island in Davao del Norte Province, one that welcomes Filipino and foreign yachtsmen alike to moor within its premises. The space is quite roomy, in fact, with 56 berths that can fit vessels up to 15 meters in length. The club also has a boat ramp that can accommodate boats up to 18 meters in length. The well-guarded and weather-safe marina is a gateway to some of Mindanao’s finest attractions, such as the Pearl Farm, Hagimit Falls, and Giant Clam Sanctuary.  

There’s no better way to discover the Philippines from end to end than getting onboard a seaworthy vessel and going on a long cruise, with stops in some of the most beautiful places in the country. Find a safe harbor in any of these major clubs and marinas, and participate in the renaissance of sailing in the Philippines.

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What are the fees for membership?

Like many clubs, there is an initiation fee and annual dues. While the fees vary depending on the type of membership you are considering, the ongoing cost of membership is in line with other club communities. For specific pricing information and a better understanding of the value in a Detroit Yacht Club Membership, please contact our Membership Office at 313-824-2788 or email the Director of Sales & Marketing, Collette Osuna, at [email protected] .

If I use the Club less do I pay lower fees?

The dues for each type of membership are the same for all Members in that category. Detroit Yacht Club categories of membership do not have limits on how often you can visit the Club. Our Director of Sales & Marketing can walk you through how to get the most from your membership with the Club. For more information, please contact our Membership Office at 313-824-2788 or [email protected] .

Why should I join the Detroit Yacht Club now?

This is one of our favorite questions. After all, the Club has been here for over 150 years. We’re not going anywhere, so what is the rush? There are two reasons. The first is family. Have you had that feeling that time is speeding up, that we need to slow down to spend quality time with family and close friends? That we don’t want to miss out on the special moments with our children or grandchildren? This is the place where you can do that. It is a very real place where generations of families return every year, and every generation is able to experience so much of what we all remember childhood should feel like. At the same time, and this is the second reason; while those kids are making lifelong friends and memories, this is a chance to take care of you, with the things you like to do. We say this is our favorite question because the answer to it can only come from you. To arrive at the answer, you really need to understand this unique club and experience it firsthand. After visiting, your only regret will be not joining sooner.

What is the dress code?

The dress code varies depending on the specific area of the Clubhouse or activity. Please  Click Here  to view the detailed dress code.

As an invited guest, can I invite a guest of my own?

No, this privilege is reserved for our Members.

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