Founded in 1939, the Baltimore Yacht Club is situated on a grass knoll atop Sue Island at the mouth of the Middle River with unobstructed views of the Chesapeake Bay. SM+P was brought on to facilitate the design of the interior renovation of the clubhouse following the aftermath of a flood which devastated most of the main floor. SM+P worked closely with the club throughout all phases of the design process. Since the last renovation, the membership had outgrown the size of the existing bar.  Additionally, circulation between dining areas for both members and staff was not ideal, as you had to pass through informal dining to get to the formal dining room. Enlarging the bar and creating a central circulation corridor which connected all the spaces quickly became two of the most important project goals. SM+P studied several options for the new bar location before settling on the ‘Island Bar’, which not only increased seating at the bar, but also created an edge for the new circulation corridor leading into the formal dining room. The aesthetic of the club is nautical without being pretentious. Timeless, yet elevated. The material palette speaks to the rich history of the club and allows for the surrounding views to be celebrated.