Seattle's iconic private club closes after 30 years amid downtown decline
A long-standing private club in downtown Seattle has closed its doors after nearly three decades. The decision came as the city’s office vacancy rate soared and business activity dwindled. For many members, the club held personal memories—including one couple who met there in 1996. The club occupied the 75th and 76th floors of The Columbia Tower. By Thursday, most of its furniture had been packed away, leaving the main space empty. Management had already decided not to renew the lease, citing an uncertain business climate in the city centre.
Staffing shortages forced the restaurant and bar to shut on Friday, April 24. The night before, several farewell banquets were held for members. Over the years, the club had adapted to changes, even converting some dining areas into co-working spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic. The decline in business mirrored broader trends in Seattle. Amazon alone had moved around 10,000 jobs out of the city in recent years, partly due to business taxes. With office vacancies nearing 40%, the club’s once-bustling social scene faded. Many deals that once happened over meals now took place over coffee instead. For Ricardo Ruvalcaba, the closure marked the end of an era. He had met his wife at the club back in 1996, a memory tied to a place that no longer fit the city’s shifting landscape.
The club’s departure leaves another gap in downtown Seattle’s struggling business district. Its closure follows years of declining foot traffic and rising vacancies. Members who once gathered there must now find new spaces for both work and social connections.
