Grosse Pointe Yacht Club facts for kids
Burgee
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| Short name | GPYC |
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| Founded | 1914 |
| Location | Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan, U.S. |
| Commodore | Jason Grobbel |
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Grosse Pointe Yacht Club
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 Location in Wayne County, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 788 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan 48236 |
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| Area | 25 acres (10 ha) |
| Built | 1928-1929 |
| Built by | Corrick Brothers |
| Architect | Ralph Coolidge Henry and Henry P. Richmond Guy Lowell (concept) |
| Architectural style | Mediterranean Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 14001124 |
| Added to NRHP | January 7, 2015 |
The Grosse Pointe Yacht Club (often called GPYC) is a special club for people who love boats and the water. It's located right on the edge of Lake St. Clair in a place called Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan. The club's main building is very easy to spot and is a famous landmark along the lake's shore, just north of Detroit. It's also part of the Detroit Regional Yacht-racing Association, which helps organize boat races.
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The Club's Beginning and Growth
The GPYC started out as the Grosse Pointe Ice Boat Club in 1910. A person named Frank Verheyden founded it. A few years later, in 1918, it changed its name to the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club.
Designing the Clubhouse
The beautiful clubhouse was designed in a style called Mediterranean Revival architecture. This means it looks like buildings you might see around the Mediterranean Sea, with features like red tile roofs and arched windows. An architect from Boston named Guy Lowell first imagined the building in the 1920s. Sadly, Lowell passed away before his plans were completely finished. However, his ideas for the clubhouse were still used to build it.
Opening and Challenges
The clubhouse officially opened its doors on July 4, 1929. It had a large ballroom and several dining rooms, with the biggest one able to seat 250 people. However, the club faced money problems during the Great Depression. This was a tough time when many people didn't have much money. The club even went into debt.
Some hopeful members bought the club back during the start of World War II. They believed that people would soon have more money to spend on things like club memberships.
Modern Updates and Awards
In 1984, the club decided to update its dining and social areas. They hired a company to redesign these spaces. After a successful plan, another company was hired to build the new parts.
The GPYC has earned many awards over the years. In 1997, it was named the "Number One Yacht Club in America." It continues to be recognized as one of the best. Since 2019, it has received "Club of Excellence" and "Distinguished Club" awards every year.
The club offers many classic yacht club features. These include an Olympic-sized swimming pool, tennis courts, and bowling lanes. There are also elegant dining rooms and a ballroom. Boating members love the club's great spot on Lake St. Clair. The club has a large marina with deep water and a private gas dock for boats.
The GPYC is a member of the Detroit Regional Yachting Association. It hosts two big sailing races each year that are approved by the DRYA. The club also has many other sailing events and programs.
The tall bell tower at the club is very helpful for boaters. It acts as a guide, helping them find their way on the lake.
Inside the Clubhouse
When you enter the club, you walk through a 50-foot long hallway. This leads to a round room called a rotunda, which connects to different parts of the club. A bronze statue by Wheeler Williams called "Rhythm of the Waves" is a special sight there.
Besides the marina for boats, the club has many other fun things to do.
- There's a bowling alley that's open all year.
- You can swim in an Olympic-sized pool.
- There are several clay tennis courts.
- You can play on two lighted paddle tennis courts.
- There are also pickleball courts.
- The club has a special center for sailing.
The club has three dining rooms, a main ballroom, and six bars. It also has a pool deck and two wine cellars. The club's facilities have been updated and made modern many times. The harbor has been made bigger and better as more people joined the club. Even with all these changes, the original design of the building and the beautiful views of Lake St. Clair have been kept.
You might have seen the club in movies! A view of the club appears in the background during the credits of the movie Gran Torino (2008). An aerial view of the club's tower is also shown in a scene from the 1997 movie Grosse Pointe Blank.
See also
- Grosse Pointe
- St. Clair Shores
