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| Short name | DYC |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1868; 157 years ago (1868) |
| Location | 1 Riverbank Rd.,Belle Isle,Detroit,Michigan United States |
| Website | www |
TheDetroit Yacht Club (DYC) is a privateyacht club inDetroit,Michigan, located on its own island off ofBelle Isle in theDetroit River between theMacArthur Bridge and the DTE generating plant. The DYC clubhouse is a restored 1920s Mediterranean-style villa that is the largestyacht club clubhouse in theUnited States.[1]
DYC is a member of theDetroit Regional Yacht-racing Association (DRYA).
The club was founded by Detroit sailing enthusiasts in 1868.[1] The first Yacht Club buildings, a small clubhouse and boatshed, were constructed in the late 1870s at the foot of McDougall Street, just south of Jefferson Avenue. In the early 1880s, the members were divided over the club's growing social activities, and in 1882, one group broke away to form theMichigan Yacht Club. The remainder elected James Skiffington Commodore (the club's title equivalent to the "President" of other recreational and social organizations) in 1884.[1]
The originalBelle Isle clubhouse was built at a cost of $10,000 (with a further $2,000 for furnishings) in 1891, but burned down in 1904. A new facility was quickly built at the same site.[1]
In 1923, the present-day clubhouse was dedicated; its construction had cost more than one million dollars, the work of architectGeorge D. Mason, who also designed theDetroit Masonic Temple (the world's largest) and the opulentGem Theatre.[1] By the end of the following year, membership had reached 3000. Prominent member and CommodoreGar Wood set world speed records inhydroplanes, and with his Gold Cup victories brought the club to national and even worldwide prominence. Beginning in 1921, the DYC started sponsoring the hydroplane races. Membership declined dramatically during theGreat Depression, and some services were suspended.[1]
In 1946, all bonds had been paid, and the club was debt-free. The club's women formed the first women's sailing organization in the country and raced the club'scatboats. During the next decade, dining facilities would be expanded, and theater-quality projection equipment installed in the ballroom, where Sunday evening screenings became a regular feature of club life.
During the 1960s, an outdoor,Olympic-size swimming pool was added, and the West End docks were built, increasing the number of boat wells to over 350. The DYC has long been a symbol of privilege and exclusivity. Up until the 1970s, Black applicants were routinely rejected, until psychiatrist Dr. Leonard Ellison filed a lawsuit, and became the first Black member.
More recently, the club added additional facilities like a fitness center and opened the Bitter End lounge area to allow for women to enter. Before the restoration, the Bitter End could only be accessed through the men's locker room. The newly restored Bitter End is also used for hosting small parties.
In 2018, the Detroit Yacht Club celebrated its sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary. Raymond W. Batt Jr. was elected to serve as the Commodore of the Detroit Yacht Club during the sesquicentennial year.[2]
Detroit Yacht Club | |
 Clubhouse and docks | |
| Coordinates | 42°20′56″N82°58′25″W / 42.34889°N 82.97361°W /42.34889; -82.97361 |
|---|---|
| Built | 1924 |
| Architect | George D. Mason |
| Architectural style | Mediterranean Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 11000309[3] |
| Added to NRHP | May 25, 2011 |
The Detroit Yacht Club clubhouse was designed by architectGeorge D. Mason[4] in aMediterranean Revival style.[5] The building sits on a man-made island constructed from fill dirt excavated from other construction projects.[6] The cornerstone of the building was laid in 1922 byGar Wood[4] and the building was completed in 1923.[1] The clubhouse is a rambling, informal structure. Of particular note are the two grand staircases and the wood-panelled second-floor ballroom.[5]
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