Metropolitan Club San Francisco

The Metropolitan Club was founded as the Woman’s Athletic Club in 1915. In the early years, the emphasis was on sports, and the Club had its own swimming pool and gymnasium as well as courts for tennis, badminton and basketball. The four overnight guest rooms were in constant demand by out of town Members. A library was soon established, and programs, lectures and book reviews, that are still enjoyed today, were begun. An activities committee arranged bridge, fashion shows and holiday luncheons and dinners, all of which continue as festive traditions.

Within two years, the Club outgrew its original facilities, which had been built for lease by the owner. Swimmers wanted a larger pool and dressing rooms. Additional overnight g u e s t rooms were needed as well. The Board exercised the Club’s option to purchase the original facilities, and authorized purchase of the vacant property west of the Club site. Construction of an additional building linkedtotheoriginalonefollowed,andtheprojectwascompletedin1923. In1925, the Club purchased an additional lot to the west, in order to establish its own parking lot, adding to Member convenience and revenue.

Immensely proud of the hertiage of the Women’s Athletic Club, (with its majestic Olympic sized swimming pool, inspired by the Hearst Castle’s Neptune Pool, and indoor, all-weather raquet court), state of the art cardio and strength equipment was added to a new fitness area. The Club was renown for the important role it played in contributing to the overall health and happiness of Members during the last century, but by the mid 1960’s, the focus of the Woman’s Athletic Club had sufficiently broadened. And it was agreed to change the name to the Metropolitan Club. The change became official in 1966.

Current Club activities reflect the changing needs of the Membership, while boasting a positive, progressive environment as a backdrop to exceptional fitness amenities. Activities are planned to fit the schedules of an increased number of professional Members. New categories of Membership have been established for young daughters and granddaughters of Members. Athletic activities meet a broad spectrum of Member’s interests and take advantage of advances in the field of health and technology. Members enjoy an increasing number of reciprocal clubs worldwide, as well as the privileges of having Members of these clubs visit while in San Francisco.

Today, the Metropolitan Club holds to the spirit of its founders, “Woman’s Faith in Women” and reveres their vision and independence. Official Website

The Piano Connection

In descending chronological order