SF Yacht Club – the view from the San Francisco Bay

How do you create an iconic structure for one of the world’s most iconic yacht clubs? With great care and an eye on tradition as you innovate for the future.

That was our challenge in expanding the famed San Francisco Yacht Club, which was founded in 1869 – the oldest yacht club west of the Mississippi in the US.

Today, you can see the results of 6 years work, led by George Janson, Associate Principal at Bull Stockwell Allen (and an avid sailor.)

Nestled between the Bay and Belvedere Island, the new building, called The Cove House, features a stunning event space with soaring volumes and fine details; office and meeting space; a second-story indoor/outdoor event and meeting space, and even the Club’s time capsule that marked its150th anniversary.

Interior detailing

The building features ample fine detailing that elevate it. In particular, it features extensive woodwork and paneling on the interior. “The idea was to create the same warmth of the interior as the main club house in a way that was more relaxed and not imitative,” says Janson.

According to Janson, the design of the The Cove House presented multiple problems – which Janson calls “fun to solve”. Primary among these was fitting the building on the site while preserving the lawn and access to the main clubhouse. In addition, parts of the building needed to be cantilevered over the edge of the shoreline below the docks. And finally, there was context: developing the building volumes and exterior vocabulary to be in scale with the neighborhood and existing club buildings, and to complement the prevailing architectural style of Belvedere.

The Cove House is already drawing rave reviews from members and neighbors. We couldn’t agree more.

SF Yacht Club. View from the lawn and main clubhouse

All images by Megan Goetz Photography