The Bath Club is not a stuffy resort whose sauna temperature is cranked up a few degrees too high—at least, not anymore. But it is an exclusive members-only hotspot for Miami’s social elite that just got hotter with a residential addition. And in Miami, hotter is definitely better.
The Bath Club on Collins Avenue has been a popular luxury playground on Miami’s social scene since its founding in 1928—playing host to distinguished members, invited guests, celebrities, and even presidents seeking recreation and relaxation. Now the private club extends another hand to today’s rich, famous, and well-connected with the luxurious Bath Club Estates—13 fully customized homes meticulously planned by a dream-team of designers (as an extension of the members-only club).
The Bath Club is blending its rich legacy with modern amenities to attract new members with the Estates. The Bath Club and Estates’ motto: “all the services of a five-star hotel with the privacy of a single-family home.” The Bath Club Estates feature one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom residences, as well as penthouses and sprawling villas ranging from $10 million to more than $50 million.
The Bath Club’s legacy is traditional but everything about Bath Club Estates Miami modern—in sync with tropical city’s colorful, contemporary culture (architecture to fashion to spicy Cuban cuisine). It showcases one three-level penthouse, two duplex beachfront villas and 10 full-floor tower estates.
The Bath Club Estates occupy the last piece of undeveloped oceanfront land on Miami Beach, according to the residential complex. Every detail is punctuated with sunsets and sweeping views of the ocean. The building boasts oversized wrap-around terraces with summer kitchens, private elevator access, two enclosed garage bays per residence with outlets for plug-in vehicles and trickle chargers, a dedicated private poolside cabana per residence, and a cascading, multi-level pool.
Developer R. Donahue Peebles recruited a who’s-who of prominent designers to lead The Bath Club Estates project, including architect Bernardo Fort-Brescia (Arquitectonica) and designers Alexandra Champalimaud (Hotel Bel-Air, The Waldorf Astoria), Jennifer Post (Bath Club, Setai Miami), Joao Armentano (Sushi Kin Restaurant, Mostra Black), and Alison Spear (Arquitectonica).
The Bath Club itself offers a luxurious Hammam-inspired full-service spa, sauna and steam room (naturally), large member lounge, fitness center, yoga, swimming and tennis lessons, private, furnished cabanas with showers, pool and beach attendants, and 500 feet of white sand beach along the Atlantic Ocean.
The Bath Club is the most prestigious venue for parties, award dinners, seminars, weddings, reunions, bar/bat mitzvahs, and family getaways. But the club’s origins are humbler. According to the club, during the early 1920s nearly everyone who lived on Miami Beach met at old Roman Pools for swimming, luncheons and water sports offered by management of the Roney Plaza Hotel. The clubs were so crowded that a few regular visitors hatched a plan to build a new, private gathering place farther north. On April 7, 1926 Florida granted a charter to The Bath Club, which was constructed on a former avocado plantation by famed architect Robert A. Taylor.
The Bath Club’s member list included numerous wealthy industry scions. Daily activities included festive luncheons, dancing and orchestras. Even President Herbert Hoover received an honorary lifetime membership in 1929. During World War II, armed forces and their families military were permitted to use the facilities for a modest fee. In 1963, a grand dining room, constructed by Palm Beach architect John Volk, accommodated private parties, large functions and shows.
"We wanted a build a better Bath House... that's how it all started," said E. Nash Mathews, one of four Charter Members.
Mission accomplished. It’s bigger, more exclusive, and hotter than ever since the Estates high-end luxury living came onboard. In modern society, “Bath Club Estates” sounds much more contemporary than “Bath House”—because it is.