7. The exclusive Montauk Club continues operating in the heart of Park Slope
Situated on the corner of Eighth Avenue and Lincoln Place off Grand Army Plaza, the Montauk Club is a vibrant private social club that has been an integral part of the Park Slope community. Members of the club frequently organize a series of exclusive events including talks by local artists, live jazz performances, dinner operas, and monthly book, beer and wine clubs. Over the years, the club has been the set for television shows like “Billions,” “Boardwalk Empire,” and “The Knicks.” Moreover, many notable people have graced its halls including John F. Kennedy, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Grover Cleveland, and William McKinley — all of whom gave speeches.
The Montauk Club’s current Park Slope headquarters was designed by architect Frances H. Kimball — famous for his work on the Trinity and U.S. Realty Buildings on Broadway, the Corbin Building next to Fulton Center, and the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. Built in 1891 as a Venetian Gothic palazzo, its exterior was inspired by the Ca d’Oro or Palazzo Santa Sofia, located on the Grand Canal in Venice. However, the building also has many touches that harken back to the city’s former Indigenous inhabitants. Upon closer examination, references to the Montauk Indians can be seen on the club’s terra cotta faces and iron fencing around the building can be found displaying Native faces. In 1996, the Club’s basement, third, fourth, and attic stories were converted into condominiums, with residents entering through the original Ladies’ Entrance to the left of the main doors. Today, the Montauk Club retains usage of the parlor and second floor, with a breathtaking balcony overlooking the green canopy of Prospect Park.
