End of an Era, The Columbia Tower Club
Last week, in the middle of dozens of emails, was a notice that I never expected--the closure of a club that has meant so much to me over 41 years.
Located in the 75th and 76th floors of the tallest building west of the Mississippi (at least it was then), The Columbia Tower Club was known for its elegance, 360 degree vistas, fine dining and women’s rest rooms with full window views. Men tried to barge in regularly to see what everyone was talking about. Plus, this was the one place in Seattle besides Canlis that required men to wear a jacket. It was the happening place.
My member number is 41. I was the 41st person and a Founding Member to join the club shortly after Martin Selig announced his plan to build a premier club at the top of his iconic tower.
It was the site of so many memorable events for me—grand birthday parties, breakfasts with clients, New Year’s Eve celebrations, and wine tastings. After a few years, I became chair of the Membership Committee and then was a long tenured board member. There were weeks that I had so many meetings at the Club that I just went home to sleep.
Things changed over the years. The dress code became more casual to welcome tech members less wild 1980s parties and the last remodel removed the elegance.
Long time members started getting older and moving to sunnier climes and younger members did not find the camaraderie that was originally treasured. Membership declined.
Covid did the Club in eventually. No office people around for power lunches, no fun events, committees dissolved and the club shrank in size and barely survived.
Covid ended but this majestic building is nearly empty of the professionals who made it viable. Sadly, like all good things, The Columbia Tower Club is coming to an end in a few weeks.
My husband and I had dinner there last week and said good bye to a magical place during a magical era when Seattle had found its place in the world.
As a Founding and Life Member, CTC, you will be missed.
Chris Doucet D41