Penn Club of New York facts for kids
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| Nickname | Penn Club |
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| Formation | 1900 (incorporated) |
| Type | 501(c)7 not-for-profit, private social club |
| Headquarters | 30 West 44th Street, New York City, U.S. |
| Services | Dues-based: Library, business center, fitness center, yoga studio, Yale Club Squash Court reciprocity Charge account-based: Meeting rooms, fine dining, casual restaurant, bar, hotel, spa, massage, events |
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Membership
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5,000+ globally |
| Affiliations | Princeton Club of New York Columbia University Club of New York MIT |
| Award(s) | Platinum Club of America (consecutively) |
The Penn Club of New York, often called the Penn Club, is a special private social club in New York City. It's a place where people who went to the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) can meet, relax, and connect. The club's impressive 14-story building is a famous landmark located on West 44th Street in Midtown Manhattan.
In 2023-2024, the Penn Club was recognized as one of the Top 50 City Clubs in America. It was even ranked the second-best city club in New York City by Platinum Clubs of America.
Contents
History of the Penn Club
The Penn Club started in November 1886. A group of University of Pennsylvania graduates in New York City met for dinner. By January 1900, they decided to create a special place for Penn alumni. They wanted "a convenient suite of rooms" in the middle of the city.
Early Locations: Finding a Home
On October 6, 1900, the Penn Club of New York officially opened. Its first home was in four rooms on the ground floor of the Royalton Hotel. This hotel was very close to where the club is today. Soon, the club had over 150 members. In 1901, the New York Legislature gave the club its official charter.
In 1905, the club moved to the Hotel Stanley on West 47th Street. It stayed there until 1910. During World War I, from 1911 to 1922, the club didn't have a physical clubhouse. Instead, they focused on their yearly banquet.
In 1922, the club found a new home. They leased two townhouses on East 50th Street. These were next to what is now the New York Palace Hotel. The Penn Club was very active and successful in the 1920s. Its dining and guest rooms were always busy. However, during the Great Depression in 1935, the club had to leave its townhouses.
After that, the Penn Club shared spaces with other clubs. It was at the Cornell Club, then the Phi Gamma Delta Club. In 1961, it moved to the Biltmore Hotel. The club stayed there until 1981, when the hotel was turned into an office building.
The Current Home: 30 West 44th Street
The Penn Club's current clubhouse is at 30 West 44th Street. This building was originally built for The Yale Club of New York City between 1900 and 1901. It cost about $250,000 to build. The Yale Club opened its building on May 1, 1901, and used it until 1915.
Over the years, the building had many different owners and uses. It was home to other clubs like the Delta Kappa Epsilon and the Army and Navy Club. During World War II, the United States government used it. It housed the U.S. Maritime Service Center and later the Army Reserve School. In 1971, the government gave the building to Touro College.
A Major Renovation and New Beginning
In 1989, the University of Pennsylvania bought the 11-story building at 30 West 44th Street for $15 million. They then raised another $25 million from many generous alumni. This money was used for a big renovation. David P. Helpern Architects worked for two years to update the building. They even added three more levels, making it the 14-story building we see today.
The Penn Club of New York moved into its current location in 1994. It is between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue. This was the first university clubhouse in New York City to be designed as a tall building. The building has a beautiful design called Beaux-Arts. Its decorated front is made of brick, limestone, and terracotta.
Club Amenities and Services
The Penn Club offers many services and spaces for its members. Some services are included in the yearly membership dues. Others are charged to a member's account.
What's Included with Membership?
All members who pay their dues can use the 14-story clubhouse.
- The Benjamin Franklin Room is named after the university's founder. It has a private library open 24/7 where members can borrow books. It also features a piano, a fireplace, and paintings of past Penn leaders.
- The business center offers shared workspaces for members.
- The Palestra Fitness Center and yoga studio are on the 13th floor. They offer great city views.
- The Penn Club also has a special website and app for members. These tools help members connect and network with each other.
Extra Services for Members
Other services can be charged to a member's account:
- Meeting rooms can be rented for events or business.
- There are bars on the event room floors.
- The club has two restaurants. One is a two-story fine dining room with a dancing area and a balcony for musicians. The other is a themed Grill Room with a mahogany bar and a sushi chef. Both restaurants can be rented for private events.
Staying at the Club: Hotel Rooms
Members and their guests can also rent one of the 39 guestrooms. These rooms are located on five different floors. Each room has a unique theme based on the achievements of different Penn alumni.
Connecting with Other Clubs
The Penn Club is part of "Clubhouse Row." This street has several other famous university clubs. These include the Harvard Club of New York City, the New York Yacht Club, the Yale Club of New York City, and the Cornell Club of New York.
Penn Club members can attend special events hosted by these nearby clubs. They can also use squash courts at the Yale Club. The Penn Club has agreements with over 150 other private clubs around the world. This means members can often visit clubs like the Harvard Club of Boston or various yacht and golf clubs. The club's location is close to the Theater District and Grand Central Terminal.
Who Can Join the Penn Club?
To become a member of the Penn Club, people need to apply, pay an initial fee, and pay yearly dues. Membership is mainly for alumni, teachers, and students of the University of Pennsylvania who are old enough to drink.
Affiliate Memberships
The club also allows people from a short list of other universities to join as affiliate members. These include:
- Princeton University
- Columbia University
- MIT
- University of Chicago
- Vanderbilt University
- Emory University
- New York University
- Williams College
- Villanova University
- Fordham University
The Princeton Club of New York used to be a separate club. Its members and some staff now belong to the Penn Club. This happened after the Princeton Club closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Penn Club has over 5,000 members worldwide. The members control the club, and it is managed by a professional staff. The University of Pennsylvania owns the clubhouse building. The club itself is a non-profit organization that leases the building from the university.
Notable Members
- Donald Trump (attended Wharton School at Penn) – He was the 45th U.S. President. He donated to the Penn Club of New York in 1996.
See also
- Princeton Club of New York
- Columbia University Club of New York
- List of American gentlemen's clubs
