Stirling Club at Turnberry Place faces May closure

The Stirling Club at Turnberry Place could close in May if a buyer for the luxury condominium community's centerpiece can't be found, an attorney for the Florida-based developer said Monday.

The 70,000-square-foot private club is a freestanding business that's been losing money since the economy tanked, said Mario Romine, counsel for Turnberry Associates.

Due to internal pressure from some residents, Turnberry's homeowners associations cancelled all 777 club contracts, he said.

"We tried to work with the associations," Romine said. "We're businessmen. We don't make money, we close the door."

Romine said potential buyers backed off when the contracts were canceled.

Turnberry offered to sell the club to the master association for roughly one-fourth of the $45 million it cost to build, but the association would not schedule a membership vote, effectively rejecting the offer, Romine said.

Scott Rohm, president of Turnberry's hotel group, said there's a "short window" of opportunity to buy the club before a 90-day closure notice.

The Stirling Club was a marketing tool for the high-rise luxury towers built in 1998. It has a pool and spa, tennis court, fitness center, full-service bar, dining rooms and offices.

The restaurant was operated by celebrity chef Charlie Palmer, but the relationship soured when the club was put up for sale two years ago, club general manager Mike Saye said.

Full membership at Stirling Club is $5,000 a year, Saye said. Initiation fees are being waived.

"We think ultimately some group of residents will get together and buy the club," Saye said.

Contact reporter Hubble Smith at hsmith@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0491.