What’s hotter than hanging out at sexy Buddha Sky Bar in Delray Beach? Being able to hang out in parts of the bar off limits to the general public. Owners Chris Licata and Bobby Yampolsky plan a private, members-only club on the second floor of the three-story building, at 217 East Atlantic Avenue.
Think swanky, Paris or Tokyo-style hotel lobby. The ultra-luxury lounge will allow members to keep their spirits in private lockers and enjoy private meetings or tête-à-têtes, the partners said.
To create the long-held vision, the pair paid $5.9 million to exercise a purchase option for the building from a prior partner, Larry Lipnick. The deal was brokered by Tom Prakas of the Prakas Group in Boca Raton.
Licata and Yampolsky still are working out details of the club, including its name. They’re also not sure how many members the club will have.
But they have a price range for membership: Between $2,500 to $10,000 to join.
“It will be very exclusive,” Licata said. “On the second floor, only members will have access.”
The first floor is Buddha Garden restaurant and the top floor is the panoramic Buddha Sky Bar. The second floor now is is used for offices and private events. Plans are to start building the second floor private club next summer, with an opening set for the fall, in time for the tourist season, Licata said.