The Rockaway Ocean Club has officially opened its doors at the Jacob Riis Bathhouse, marking the first time the public can access the historic federal facility in 54 years. The grand reopening follows an $88 million renovation that aimed to restore and repurpose the building, which had been empty since 1972.
The Rockaway Ocean Club, operated by ROC Hospitality, aims to be an accessible and fun destination, according to Ursula Damani, a founding partner. While a private membership to the club can cost up to $1,700 annually for access to amenities like a restaurant, butterfly garden, and pool, Damani emphasized that more than half of the facility remains free and open to the public. These public areas include various bars and a courtyard designed for lounging and games.
"Everybody is welcome. One of the things that makes Jacob Riis Beach so special is the People’s Beach. The beach is the ultimate democratizer," Damani said, underscoring the club's mission to welcome all New Yorkers. "We are going to remind New Yorkers that New York City is a beach town."
The project, nine years in the making, sought to revive the bathhouse while respecting its historic nature. Developers faced construction delays, particularly in restoring original features and adhering to strict landmark regulations that required new additions to be "remarkably different" from the original architecture. This has resulted in design elements like new teal tiles placed alongside original aqua ones.
The developers, including Scott Shnay of SK Development and Aaron Broudo and Belvey Klein of Brooklyn Bazaar, cited the original 1932 plaque dedicating the beach to the citizens of New York as their guiding principle. Their goal was to create a space that accommodates various price points, from boardwalk accessibility to the members' club.
Despite the opening, much of the building remains under construction. Full amenities, including a 28-room hotel and a rooftop bar, are expected to be rolled out gradually, with a grand opening planned for spring. The rooftop bar, which has been inaccessible for five decades, is anticipated to offer views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Manhattan skyline.
"We didn’t set out to build something new on Riis Beach — we set out to finish something that started in 1932 and got interrupted," Shnay told The Post. "This has always been the People’s Beach, built for the people of New York, and restoring this building is how we carry that legacy forward for the next generation."
The club has faced some criticism regarding its four-figure membership fees and an application process that includes requests for social media links. When fully operational, the members-only section is projected to occupy about 40% of the campus, with the courtyard and various concessions, shops, and bars remaining open to the public.