Why The Water Club Closed

September 18, 2024

Unbeknownst to the public, the reason (The Water Club) closed, after studies by structural engineers – the City determined it has to repair the sheet wall/retaining wall (which separates the East River from the FDR drive land mass.)

The FDR Drive was built on fill. The sheet wall, built over 80 years ago, holds the FDR Drive in place and is giving was in front of The Water Club.

The 34th street northbound exit will have to be closed, to be dug up, excavated and repaired from the landside. The volume of traffic will then have to be rerouted in front of The Water Club and through the parking lot.

As most guests of The Water Club arrive by vehicle, it would be almost impossible as the roadway in front of The Water Club will be squeezed and with almost no parking available, would make it very difficult to operate.

Besides digging up the FDR Drive exit in front of The Water Club, the City has another task to undertake – which is to repair the support piles, under the many blocks long concrete relieving platform which protects the sheet wall. This must be done by divers working in the water underneath the pier/platform – which means the location of The Water Club will be significantly disrupted for a long period of time.

The Water Club and the City worked together for ways to accommodate both, but in reality, there was no way that could be done. The importance of maintaining the FDR Drive is paramount. Naturally, The Water Club understood what had priority.

It was time to rebuild The Water Club, not repair it. We explained our side to the City. If we went forward, there would still be years of closure because no one could predict when all the work would be completed.

There were whispers that other City entities had their eyes on the property. Had we stayed for the length of time it was predicted to be closed, we would have lost a fortune. So, the attorneys worked out the legal matters and any monies that were due were paid. We found work for our employees in our other entities and the property was turned back to the City.

The company that operates The Water Club is probably one of the most successful in the country and has a stellar reputation. They honor their commitments, hold no debt or mortgages, or owes any taxes. They have worked with the same vendors, purveyors, distributors, lawyers, architects and engineers for more than 50 years – and remain good friends.