Business View Magazine | Volume 9, Issue 2

93 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 2 THE FORT WORTH CLUB institution in every sense of the word. “We’ve have a lot of deep history in the area and in the context of private clubs,” shares Michael Thackerson, Club Manager. “We’re one of the oldest city clubs in the South. We’ve been ranking in the Top 10 Platinum City Clubs of America for a number of years, as well as the Platinum Clubs of the World. Half of the current building we occupy was built in 1926. The addition with the parking garage and the bulk of the Athletic Center, those were added in 1976.” After vacating their former home in the building now occupied by The Ashton Hotel, The Fort Worth Club erected in 1926 a grand 12-story high-rise facility featuring suites intended for use by prominent members. Club President Amon G. Carter hosted many prestigious guests there (including Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson), and the new club quickly became the social epicenter of beautiful downtown ‘Cowtown’– named so because Fort Worth was then one of the top cattle markets in the nation. “Having these hotel rooms is consistent with what you see at most of the larger city clubs across the country,” Thackerson offers. “Private clubs like ours were created around the idea of business travel, so they’re a nice amenity for us to have.” The Fort Worth Club also hosts around 50 weddings a year, providing full-service accommodation with flexible venue spaces and on-site catering options. “That’s a huge selling point,” Thackerson maintains. “It’s nice to be able to put wedding guests up at the club. We call them a member-for-a-day. They’re able to use the restaurants, along with the athletic and fitness facilities, during their stay.” Speaking to the evolution of The Fort Worth Club, the athletic facilities are now one of the crown jewels of the Club’s various amenities.