The Past and Present of the Capital City Club
Montgomery, Alabama
In late 1976, as the Eastdale Mall was nearing completion in suburban Montgomery, downtown Montgomery retail stores began to re-locate their operations to the new, more convenient location. The location provided one-stop shopping for Montgomery, thus creating too much competition for downtown shopping to survive. The Eastdale Mall changed the paradigm of old Montgomery completely, causing a drastic need for the revitalization of downtown, the once epicenter of Montgomery.
During this transition, Aaron Aronov, a Montgomery realtor and developer, was charged with revitalizing the downtown Pizitz Department Store into a prime office location. Because of his relationship with the Relay House Club in Birmingham, Ala., Aronov was familiar with Club Corporation of America, the Relay House Club's parent company. Aronov contacted Club Corporation of America in early 1977 to conceptualize his idea of transitioning downtown Montgomery from a retail center to a viable business and social center. It was his perception that a fine private club could provide the cornerstone in an effort to revitalize not only the Pizitz Department Store, but also downtown.
In an effort to save downtown, other business and community leaders such as Winton "Red" Blount, Bobby Weil, Tommy Tyson and Philip Sellers added their support to the Aronov's concept of a fine private club and established the Founding Board of Governors. In May of 1977, the Club was conceived and named The Capital City Club. Because of the prestige and influence of the Founding Board of Governors, and, with their enthusiasm, support, and effort, the community responded in droves.
The Board desired to develop the Club's Membership through an invitation process that included sponsorship by at least two Founding Board Members prior to being submitted to the Club's Admission's Committee. The Admissions Committee was formed to insure a compatible Membership made up of business, political and community leaders with proper regard to race, creed, and nationality. The Founding Board Members wanted a Membership diverse in composition and representative of Montgomery's corporate, political, cultural, and academic leaders. This, in itself, was unique to Montgomery.
In December of 1977, The Capital City Club was completed and opened with a party the likes which Montgomery had never seen. The Board's efforts generated an opening Membership in excess of 900 Members committed to the continued support and growth of downtown.
In 1994, as the RSA Tower was being conceptualized, the Board of Governors saw an opportunity to move the Club's quarters to, what was soon to be, Montgomery's most prestigious location. Through the efforts of the Board, the Retirement Systems of Alabama, and Club Corporation of America, the now parent company of the Capital City Club, a move was effected in April 1997 to the current location in conjunction with the Club's 20th Anniversary.
Currently the Club's membership is in excess of 2,000 Members who have contributed to the success of their Club and their community. As the Club's Membership has grown, so have the member benefits, events, and facilities. In conjunction with the Club's founding, Membership remains by invitation only and is still subject to approval of the Club's Admissions Committee. This privilege allows Members, and the Members only, to sponsor friends and associates to Membership.
The Capital City Club has established, and continues to support, the tradition of a fine private club. These traditions will continue to grow as the Club continues to support the community interests of its Members and provide a Club that is alive, active, and quality-oriented.
Design and Decor
The Capital City Club is designed to provide an environment of total excellence for those who appreciate the very finest. A masterful blend of traditional and contemporary design, the Club's decor is a reflection of the membership's discriminating taste and sophistication.
Generous table spacing for private conversation provides an atmosphere suitable for conducting business. The expanse of glass affords an unparalleled view in every direction.
The architectural and interior design of the Club is under the direction of ClubCorp Purchasing and Design, Inc., specialists in private club design. The Club's decor is created with the counsel of the Interior Design Advisory Committee and the Board of Governors to ensure that each detail of the interior design reflects the lifestyles of its Members.
