Before Bird Key had a yacht club, it had a castle. The Bird Key Yacht Club (BKYC) opened its doors to its first members in 1960, and now, the club’s leadership is eyeing another major transformation. With plans for a state-of-the-art new building, the club aims to create a hurricane-resilient, federally compliant facility that meets the evolving needs of its members.

BKYC’s current leadership, including Commodore Michael Landis, Vice Commodore Tony Britt, and General Manager Tammy Hackney, is focused on modernizing the club while respecting its storied past. The proposed new building will incorporate hurricane-resistant windows, reinforced structural materials, and will be raised above the current floodplain requirements. This ensures that the club will not only look contemporary but will also be safer and more durable in the face of severe weather.

In 2021, it became evident that the existing building needed significant renovations to comply with floodplain requirements and secure adequate insurance coverage. The leadership team shared renderings of the new design, gaining overwhelming support from over 92% of the members. The club is working with local firm DSDG to create a “coastal contemporary” building that aligns with the modern aesthetics of the island’s homes and addresses the practical needs for improved safety and resilience.

The groundbreaking for the new yacht club is expected in May 2025, with construction lasting about 16-18 months. If all goes according to plan, BKYC will celebrate a soft opening of the new building in August 2026. This transformation aims to make BKYC the premier destination in Sarasota, blending tradition with innovation to serve its members for many years to come.