Chicago’s Astor Club Expands to Gold Coast Mansion

Astor Club’s ambitions are manifesting with a second outpost in one of Chicago’s last remaining Gold Coast mansions.

The members-only club partnered with the owners of the historic Blair Mansion at 1516 North Lake Shore Drive to open the Astor Club Clubhouse as soon as August. Crain’s reported that the move transforms the concept from a single-location supper club into a two-site operation aimed at capturing more of members’ daily routines.

Adam and Victoria Bilter, who launched Astor Club in 2023 at 24 East Goethe Street, acquired the Lake Shore Drive property through a partnership with owners J. Michael and Julie Whitted. The deal includes future acquisition rights, signaling the operators’ long-term bet on the property, as well as on Chicago’s resurging private club scene.

Unlike the original Astor Club, which focuses on evening dining and entertainment, the new clubhouse is designed as a daytime counterpart. According to the outlet, the idea is to provide space for coffee meetings, casual dining and workspace by day, with members heading back to the flagship for dinner service and events at night.

The expansion comes as demand for private social clubs rebounds post-pandemic. Astor Club has grown from about 100 founding members to more than 400, evidence of a resurgence in experiential, membership-driven hospitality, according to the publication. The club is also layering in reciprocal agreements with other local institutions, creating a networked membership model across the city.

The Blair Mansion, a designated Chicago landmark, is one of just a handful of surviving Gold Coast estates. The property was purchased in 2021 for roughly $4.3 million and is now estimated to be worth as much as $20 million following restoration work and planned upgrades, according to the outlet.

The clubhouse will include guest suites, a rooftop deck overlooking Lake Michigan and fitness amenities. Renovation costs have already climbed into the millions.

Astor Club plans to raise initiation fees and dues ahead of the opening, bundling access to both locations into a single membership. According to the club’s website, current tiers range from $2,400 to $200,000 for initiation of membership, with monthly dues ranging from $100 to $300.

— Eric Weilbacher