Rooftop pool. Speakeasy. Supper club. Eight hotel-style guest rooms. All inside an invitation-only private club in downtown Boca Raton. The Sanborn is a proposed 44,000-square-foot members' club at 100 N.E. First Avenue, just steps from Sanborn Square. If approved this summer, it could open by April 2028. This is the latest sign that downtown Boca is becoming a destination for South Florida's ultra-wealthy.
Key Takeaways
-
The Sanborn is a proposed 44,000-square-foot private members' club at 100 N.E. First Avenue in downtown Boca Raton, featuring a signature restaurant, speakeasy, rooftop pool, wellness spa, and eight hotel-style guest rooms.
-
Membership is invitation-only, with pricing not yet disclosed, following a market trend in which South Florida private club initiation fees have jumped 80% to 90% since 2021.
-
The project signals continued investment in downtown Boca Raton, joining the Aletto at Sanborn Square office project and the evolution of Mizner Park, helping build long-term demand for the area.
What is The Sanborn, and what will it include?
The Sanborn is a proposed private members' club named in homage to Sanborn Square, one of Boca Raton's most recognizable public spaces. The project is led by general partner Steven Newman and developer Scott Kerner, with backing from investors in Manhattan and Boca Raton. Boca Raton-based HDA Architects designed the eight-story building, which would replace an existing office and residential structure on a 0.31-acre site.
This is not a country club or a co-working space. The Sanborn is a vertical lifestyle club packed into eight stories.
The Sanborn project details:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | 100 N.E. First Avenue, Boca Raton |
| Size | 44,000 square feet across 8 stories |
| Developers | Steven Newman and Scott Kerner |
| Architect | HDA Architects, Boca Raton |
| Membership | Invitation-only (pricing not disclosed) |
| Timeline | Approval expected summer 2026, completion April 2028 |
Planned amenities include:
- Signature restaurant and supper club
- Speakeasy and club bar
- Rooftop bar, grill, and pool deck with private cabanas
- Wellness spa and fitness center
- Library and card room
- Private dining rooms
- Eight hotel-style guest rooms
Developer Steven Newman described the concept: "This is not a scene-driven club. It is a sanctuary for purposeful connection, culture, and curated experience."
How do private clubs work in South Florida?
Private membership clubs in South Florida typically require an upfront initiation fee, often called an equity buy-in, plus monthly membership dues. The initiation fee can range from tens of thousands of dollars to over a million, depending on the club. Monthly fees typically cover access to amenities, dining minimums, and services.
One important clarification: despite the name, an "equity buy-in" is not true equity in most cases today. At many clubs, this fee is non-refundable. When a member decides to leave, they do not get their initiation fee back. Some clubs offer partial refunds or allow members to sell their membership on a waiting list, but the trend has shifted toward non-refundable models as demand has outpaced supply.
As Larry Mastropieri explained on the Discover South Florida Podcast, "The Boca Raton Club is a private club you pay to get into. The membership buy-in is about $100,000 somewhere around there. And the monthly membership fee is somewhere between $1,500 and $2,500. And they have a huge demand. The demand is crazy. That club is awesome. So I'm curious to see the price point they're going to put on the membership equity buy-in for The Sanborn. The cost associated with carrying that membership."
The whole concept of The Sanborn leans into "quiet luxury," prioritizing discretion and personalized service over spectacle. This signals a shift in the market. South Florida has no shortage of high-end dining and nightlife, but it has lacked the kind of curated private social infrastructure that cities like New York, London, and Los Angeles have had for decades.
Why are private clubs booming across South Florida?
The Sanborn is part of a much bigger trend. Private membership clubs are booming across Palm Beach County and Broward County as wealthy transplants seek out exclusive social experiences beyond what restaurants and hotels can offer.
Recent private club developments:
- Shell Bay Club (Hallandale Beach): Launched with a $1 million initiation fee that has already climbed to $1.35 million. The 150-acre development includes a Greg Norman-designed 18-hole course and a 108-unit Auberge-managed condo tower.
- Dutchman's Pipe (West Palm Beach): A Jack Nicklaus Signature Course on the former President's Country Club site with a $350,000 membership buy-in.
- Stephen Ross private club (West Palm Beach): A four-story building planned on the Intracoastal near Palm Harbor Marina, featuring a rooftop pool, spa, fitness center, and two public restaurants on the ground floor.
Since 2021, initiation fees at South Florida luxury clubs have increased 80% to 90%. At least 67 billionaires own homes in Palm Beach, up from 43 in 2020. The demand is there, and developers are racing to meet it.
What does The Sanborn mean for downtown Boca Raton real estate?
A project like The Sanborn is a value signal for downtown Boca Raton. Private clubs of this caliber do not get proposed in locations where developers see declining demographics. The site sits within walking distance of Sanborn Square, Mizner Park, and Royal Palm Plaza.
As Larry Mastropieri noted, "A buyer or an investor in this area, there's a lot more growth to be had in this downtown Boca market. There are a number of proposed projects. These are just three that we mentioned. And they're all going to happen. It's just a matter of time."
When exclusive clubs open in a neighborhood, they attract higher-income residents, drive demand for premium housing, and raise the floor on surrounding property values. This mirrors the pattern seen in West Palm Beach, where private clubs, fine dining, and cultural institutions followed the influx of wealth into the downtown core, lifting surrounding property values.
Between the Aletto at Sanborn Square office project, the continued evolution of Mizner Park, and now a proposed private members' club, downtown Boca is building the kind of critical mass that sustains long-term demand. The corridor between Federal Highway and the Intracoastal is where walkability, culture, and exclusivity are converging.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Sanborn private club in Boca Raton
Where will The Sanborn be located?
The Sanborn is planned for 100 N.E. First Avenue in downtown Boca Raton, just steps from Sanborn Square. The 0.31-acre site currently has an office and residential building that would be demolished to make way for the new eight-story private club.
How much will membership at The Sanborn cost?
The developers have not disclosed membership pricing. Membership is invitation-only. For context, the nearby Boca Raton Club has a membership buy-in of approximately $100,000 with monthly fees between $1,500 and $2,500. The Shell Bay Club in Hallandale Beach has an initiation fee of $1.35 million.
When will The Sanborn open?
The project is currently in site plan review with the City of Boca Raton. If approved in summer 2026, the target completion date is April 2028.
What amenities will The Sanborn have?
The 44,000-square-foot club will include a signature restaurant, supper club, speakeasy, rooftop bar and pool with private cabanas, wellness spa, fitness center, library, private dining rooms, card room, and eight hotel-style guest rooms.
Who is developing The Sanborn?
The project is led by general partner Steven Newman and developer Scott Kerner, with investor backing from Manhattan and Boca Raton. HDA Architects, based in Boca Raton, designed the building.
Local help for buyers and investors in downtown Boca Raton
If you are buying, selling, or investing near downtown Boca Raton, understanding how projects like The Sanborn affect neighborhood values matters. Whether you are looking at condos near Mizner Park, homes within walking distance of the new private club, or investment properties in the growing downtown core, working with someone who tracks these developments can help you make informed decisions. Reach out to The Mastropieri Group, Realtors® in Boca Raton.
For practical, hands-on support across Boca Raton and Delray Beach, call (561) 544-7000.
Posted by Larry Mastropieri
Enjoy this blog post? Click here to subscribe for updates
Leave A Comment