Southridge Club
Properties

Offering some of the most iconic homes in the destination club industry, The Southridge Club was also one of the most exclusive clubs in the history of the sector.

Limited to just 18 total members, The Southridge Club would provide each with 10 nights of annual access to three of the most famous residences in the Palm Springs, California region.

All located in the same neighborhood, the properties available to members were:

• Elrod House
• Boat House
• Steve McQueen House

For the 10 nights of access, members would have access to all three of the properties concurrently. Between the three residences, members would have 13 total bedrooms and in excess of 17,000 square feet of living space to enjoy during their stays.

All three residences brought a historical component to the club. The flagship property, the Elrod House, sat on over 20 acres with roughly 9,000 square feet of living space. Incorporating the natural surroundings into the home, architect John Lautner's design would become a cultural icon in 1971 as part of James Bond's Diamonds are Forever. The estimated $25 to $30 million price tag made the Elrod House one of the most expensive homes in the history of the sector.

Next door, members would also have access to the Steve McQueen House. Built in 1968, McQueen reportedly told interior designer Peter Shore "Just think of it as my pad, baby. Ok?" And McQueen's pad would be the same for members as the home still showcased the original furniture. The Boat House's massive glass walls added to the property's flair and the edge-side pool perfect for the California sun.

Unlike the majority of the other destination clubs in the industry, these three homes would be the extent of the club's real estate assets, but long term plans did include other region expansions similar to The Southridge Club model.

Soon after their July 2009 launch, Southridge added their inaugural member, a US based billionaire. As the club began their marketing efforts to fill the final 17 memberships, the owner of the three residences elected to discontinue the club component and instead sell each of the prized properties.

While the agents behind the club were disappointed with the decision, a similar club is currently in the works. While not yet fully materialized, the general outline of the new club will likely revolve around a series of European based properties for a US member base.

Check back soon to learn more about any club developments.

A design like the one utilized by The Southridge Club works best for large families that travel together or for businesses looking for corporate retreats. While the majority of other destination clubs do have extended family and corporate membership options, most are primarily designed with families in mind.

Property values, size, and configurations range from club to club, so finding the one that offers a collection of residences that fit your travel needs is important when evaluating a destination club. To receive a free overview on the various destination clubs in the industry, including suggested due diligence questions pertaining to a club's property portfolio, request a copy of our Destination Club Guide.