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For decades, the hulking Jacob Riis Bathhouse has been one of the Rockaways' greatest "what ifs"—a grand Art Deco relic overlooking one of New York City's busiest beaches, sitting empty as generations of beachgoers walked past its boarded-up facade.
Now, after an $88 million restoration that has stretched nearly a decade, the landmark is finally preparing to welcome visitors again. Beginning the final weekend of July, the historic 1932 bathhouse will reopen in phases as the Rockaway Ocean Club, a hybrid destination that blends public spaces with a members-only beach club, hotel and event venue.
The reopening is the first time the bathhouse has been active in more than 50 years. Built under Parks Commissioner Robert Moses, the building has sat vacant since the early 1970s, becoming an iconic backdrop for days spent at Jacob Riis Park, affectionately known to many New Yorkers as "The People's Beach."
Not everything behind the restored walls will be open to everyone, however.
The first phase centers on a members-only pool club, complete with a zero-entry swimming pool, lounge chairs, beach service and private dining. Annual memberships start at $1,000 for qualifying Rockaway residents, while non-local memberships can reach $2,000 per year before additional joining fees. At launch, the members' area will operate on Fridays and Sundays.
For everyone else, there will still be plenty to explore: public visitors will have access to an outdoor courtyard featuring food trucks, mobile bars and live entertainment, while developers also hope to debut a 1,800-capacity concert and event venue later this summer. A beach shop facing the boardwalk and additional concessions are expected to open as construction continues.
Next summer, the project will add a 28-room boutique hotel along with a rooftop restaurant and lounge overlooking the Atlantic. Temporary food trucks will eventually give way to permanent dining options, including a pizza shop and full-service bar accessible from the boardwalk.
Reviving a building that had been abandoned for more than five decades has proved far more complicated than anyone anticipated.
"It's like putting together a million-piece jigsaw puzzle with pieces that keep changing shape," co-owner Ursula Damani told Gothamist. "It's been boarded up and empty for 54 years. There are generations of people. This building has just been a ghost in the backdrop of family photos."
The restoration also looks toward the future. Electrical systems have been elevated above flood level and the property has been equipped with a deployable flood barrier to protect against storm surges, following years of coastal erosion along that stretch of shoreline.
Perhaps the biggest challenge won't be construction—it's convincing New Yorkers that a private club belongs beside one of the city's most democratic beaches. But Damani insists the development won't diminish public access and hopes visitors will judge it for themselves.
"New York City is such an incredible tapestry of people and personalities, and creating a space for people to come and feel welcome," she said. "My hope is that they at least come and give us a try and get to know us."
Whether New Yorkers embrace the Rockaway Ocean Club or continue debating the arrival of a members-only enclave at the People's Beach, one of the city's most talked-about beach projects is finally ready to open its doors.