In its early days, the iconic Bath Club, located at 5937 Collins Avenue in the heart of Miami Beach, counted founding members as internationally recognized as Hoover, Cartier, and Boeing when it opened in 1927. While it has spent the last several years as a private event space, its current owners, CSQ’s 2019 Visionary of the Year in Real Estate & Finance, Don Peebles, and his wife, Katrina, are set to debut its revamped interiors this winter, during Art Basel Miami.
“About 20 years ago, when we came to Miami on a break from Washington, D.C., we had rented an apartment across the street from the Bath Club,” recalls Katrina. “Our son was 2 and I had been looking for a good beach to take him to. I stumbled across the club, and we ended up becoming members.” Shortly after, Don received a call from the media, asking how he felt about being the first black member, and his response was, “If there’s a barrier to break, I’m happy to do it.”
Local women-led design firm Antrobus + Ramirez took a global approach to the design and furnishings of the new Bath Club private beach club.
Fast forward to 2006, and the property was available for sale. The couple put an offer on the historically designated, Mediterranean Revival building, ultimately winning over the board with their pledge to allow the club to carry on. Legacy was most important to its members.
The club continued to run as a private event venue until this year, when the couple decided to turn it back into a private beach club steeped in heritage but for today’s world. “One of the most important points we will enact is our Bath Club vision of fostering exclusive inclusivity.” says Katrina. “Our club will be imbued with a feeling of home and easy elegance for our members.”
The club will be intentionally uncrowded, with membership limited to a small group of no more than 200 members. “Many of the early members who have come to us already have a beautiful home in Miami or Miami Beach but not directly on the beach,” says Katrina. “They want a place that is authentic and premium and that’s for their family and has heritage.” Katrina also points out that family memberships are liberal, allowing extended guests.
In addition to a beautiful stretch of serviced beachfront, members will have access to a variety of dining venues.
To help realize this project they’ve chosen local women-owned-and-led design team Antrobus + Ramirez. “We’re always committed to giving 35 percent of our work to women- and minority-owned businesses, and the rebirth of this icon is no different,” says Katrina.
“This is a special passion project,” says designer Alison Antrobus. “We took a global approach to the design and furnishings. It’s colorful, but not too loud. There’s a layer of patina on everything, like a home passed down from generation to generation.”
The private dining room will provide an intimate space for just 20 guests.
Not including the interior courtyard, outdoor areas, and poolside lounge, the club offers 26,000 square feet of indoor space. The historic Governor’s lounge and courtyard will become the club’s main restaurant, while the ballrooms will be kept as event venues and private member spaces for resting, meeting, and working. Additional features include a private dining room with a fireplace and seating for about 20, courtyard loggia, poolside café, and terrace with Latin spirits, aged rums, and tequilas.
The club will have a soft debut during this December’s Art Basel Miami (December 5–8), hosting a handful of events (including one for Dior). thebathclub.com
