In 1912, The newly organized Sarasota Yacht and Automobile Club purchased a 100 foot lot with a 2 story boat house on Cedar Point (today is next to where the Watergate Condonium grounds front the southeast corner of Gulf Stream Avenue near US 41.   

     At that time, Gulf Stream Avenue did not extend that far west and the low area was used by fishermen and boat builders. By the middle of the following year, a seawall had been built far enough into Sarasota Bay to create–once fill was Kass for attractive land landscaping and a driveway.

     Soon after the land purchase, the club announced in the Sarasota Times, a that members of the Yacht and Auto Club had approved a plan for a new club house.

     The plans were developed by architect Alex Browning.  The new building was to be two stories with a garage underneath. Porches on both levels.  

     The first floor had a 400 seat auditorium and stage. The second floor housed banquet and private dining rooms, A billiard room, and five rental bedrooms. There was a 20 foot cupola on the roof.  This featured hammocks and chairs with a 360 degree view view of the bay and city..  It was constructed in early 1913.  The builder was H.B. Westbrook.  Construction costs were $4,000.

     The 1913 club house was prima constructed a a large frame building with a mixture of traditional and modern  early century

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