After a four-year $100 million makeover, the members-only Santa Barbara institution has finally reopened
Words by JENNIFER BLAISE KRAMER
Ty Warner spent four years and $108 million to upgrade the CORAL CASINO. The private club is poised on the edge of Butterfly Beach, with views of the Pacific Ocean, Channel Islands, and Santa Ynez Mountains.
Montecito’s playground is making a second splash after four years in lockdown. Owner Ty Warner closed the Coral Casino Beach & Cabana Club during the pandemic to give it some time — and $108 million — to catch its breath and come out again in style. Set on the shores of Butterfly Beach, the private social club has hosted many of the world’s foremost dignitaries, stars, filmmakers, and musicians.
First designed in 1937 by Gardner Dailey of San Francisco, the Moderne–Art Deco historical landmark has more recently been in the hands of architects Peter Marino and Barry Winick. Warner invited Winick to update the club after he worked alongside Marino during the original restoration project in 2008. Beyond the freshened-up backdrop, perks include the iconic glass spa, which now seats 25 with custom jets, lights, and underwater music; a cold plunge with RGB lighting and views of the Pacific Ocean, Channel Islands, and downtown Santa Barbara; 31 private ocean-view cabanas; a shaded beach-entry kids’ pool; and the “Sandbox,” with 16 chaises sunk into sand imported from Malibu.
The private social club has hosted many of the world’s foremost dignitaries and stars
Those seeking less R&R can hit the new tennis and pickleball courts, sculpt with Or Kahlon, train with Peter Park, or get a body analysis with the Mayo Clinic partnership program. If it sounds like too much change, fret not: Fins café is just as nostalgic, the awnings are still striped, and Tydes Restaurant & Bar will be even more remarkable when Chef Thomas Keller takes the reins. Expect less crowds and even more class in the best of the best. coralcasinobeachclub.com.
Private cabanas have Ipa wood flooring, built-in closets, full-length mirrors, bulletin boards, and charging stations.
The lounge.
The beachfront whirlpool provides stunning beachfront views.
Feature image: An overview of the historic Olympic-size pool. Photography by David Mendoza III.
This story originally appeared in the Summer 2024 issue of C Magazine.
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