Penn Club of New York

What Penn Club of New York does

The Penn Club of New York is a 501(c)(7) not-for-profit private social club organized under a 1901 New York State charter, operating from a 65,000 sq. ft., 13-floor NYC Landmarked clubhouse at 30 West 44th Street on Clubhouse Row in Midtown Manhattan. Its primary served population is the University of Pennsylvania alumni community in New York (~50,000 Penn alumni and friends regionally), supplemented by Penn faculty/staff, students aged 21+, immediate family members, and graduates of affiliate schools (Fordham, NYU, Villanova, Vanderbilt, University of Chicago, Columbia University Club). The club operates an integrated amenities platform: two restaurants (formal Main Dining Room with Austrian crystal Wedgwood china; casual Grill Room), 39 themed overnight guest rooms across five tiers, a Business Center with $45/hour conference room, the Palestra Fitness Center (with reciprocal squash at Yale Club), and the Benjamin Franklin Library. The technology layer is conventional club-management software supplied by Clubessential, plus a members-only mobile app for reservations, letter-of-introduction requests, and communications — no proprietary AI or advanced technology stack is described.

The revenue model combines recurring annual membership dues (four geographic tiers — Resident, Suburban within 50 miles, Non-Resident beyond 50 miles, International — plus Student categories, all subject to 8.875% NY State sales tax) with one-time initiation fees and transaction-based revenue from guest rooms (Standard Queen/Twin/King, Deluxe Queen/King, Founders Suite, with $30–$35 peak-night surcharges and $100 guest fees), food and beverage across both restaurants, banquet and private events in six venues (largest is the 2,926 sq. ft. Presidents and Provosts Room seating 250), conference room rentals, and fitness/massage/squash services. Distribution is fully direct through the Membership Admissions Office and online application portal; no intermediaries are used for membership sales. Geographic reach is domestic (NYC primary) but member benefits extend globally through 180+ reciprocal clubs across ~25 countries. The club has held Platinum Club of America status (top 3% of 6,000 US clubs), is ranked #2 city club in NYC and #14 in the US, and has no outside capital, parent company, or public financial disclosure obligations.

Name

Penn Club of New York

Legal name

The Penn Club of New York

Website

https://pennclub.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1900

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Penn Club of New York is a 501(c)(7) not-for-profit private social club founded in 1900, operating a 65,000 sq. ft. NYC-Landmarked clubhouse on Midtown Manhattan's Clubhouse Row. It serves 5,000+ University of Pennsylvania alumni, faculty, staff, students, and select affiliate-school graduates with dining, 39 guest rooms, banqueting, fitness, library, and access to 180+ reciprocal clubs worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Social Club / Membership Club

NAICS

Other Traveler Accommodation (72119), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Hotels & Motels (7011), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Travel & Services Membership Clubs (Ancillary Services-Led) (CRAEADAK)

Keywords

• Private social club
• Membership dues
• Reciprocal club network
• Club hospitality services
• Alumni networking club

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Annual Membership Dues: Annual dues charged to members, with rates based on age, residence location (Resident, Suburban within 50 miles, Non-Resident beyond 50 miles, International), and membership category. Dues are pro-rated to fiscal year (July 1 to June 30) and subject to 8.875% NY State Sales Tax.
2. Initiation Fees: One-time initiation fee required upon joining, where applicable, in addition to annual dues. Subject to 8.875% NY State Sales Tax.
3. Overnight Guest Room Revenue: 39 overnight guest rooms generate revenue from members' guests and reciprocal club members. Room types include Standard (Queen, Twin, King), Deluxe, and Founders Suite. Additional fees include $100 guest fee for non-member guests, $30 per night peak surcharge (September-November: $30, December: $35), and $30 per night for cribs/rollaway beds.
4. Food & Beverage: Revenue from Main Dining Room (formal dining), Grill Room (casual dining and bar), and catering services for private events. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bar service offered daily.
5. Event & Banquet Services: Revenue from hosting private events in multiple venues including Presidents and Provosts Room (250 capacity), Tarnopol Room, Main Dining Room, Chestnut Room, Spruce Suite, Walnut Room, and Business Center Conference Room. Professional catering team provides gourmet meals.
6. Business Center & Conference Room Rental: Conference room rental at $45/hour plus tax for meetings up to 5 people. Light refreshments available with 24-hour advance notice. Open daily 7am-11pm.
7. Fitness & Massage Services: Personal training sessions, massage therapy services (in-room massage available for overnight guests), and squash court access at Yale Club ($25 per player, minimum $70 court rental). Palestra Fitness Center membership included in club dues.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Penn Club of New York operates a 65,000 sq. ft. landmark private social clubhouse in Midtown Manhattan offering annual membership-based access to two restaurants, 39 themed overnight guest rooms, a Business Center, Palestra Fitness Center, the Benjamin Franklin Library, and multiple private event venues. Members also gain reciprocal access to 180+ partner clubs worldwide and a calendar of curated member events and programs. Revenue is generated primarily through annual dues and initiation fees, with additional transaction-based income from guest room stays, food and beverage, banquets and catering, fitness services, and conference room rentals.

Product overview

The Penn Club of New York is a private social club operated as a unified platform offering its members access to an integrated suite of facilities and services at their landmark clubhouse. The core portfolio includes two dining venues (Main Dining Room and Grill Room), 39 overnight guest rooms, a Business Center, Palestra Fitness Center, Benjamin Franklin Library, private event and banquet services across multiple rooms, and reciprocal club access to 180+ clubs worldwide. The club also offers a member events and programs calendar with networking, cultural, and social activities. All services are provided exclusively to members and their guests as bundled membership benefits.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Main Dining Room Formal dining venue featuring the Presidents and Provosts Room with elegant surroundings, antique fixtures, and Austrian crystal Wedgwood china; serves members and their guests for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday.
• Grill Room Casual dining and bar area with red leather banquettes and Penn campus-themed decor; serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner to members and their guests.
• Overnight Guest Rooms 39 well-appointed overnight guest rooms across five floors with themed decor honoring Penn traditions; includes Standard Rooms (Queen/Twin/King), Deluxe Rooms, and the Founders Suite; available to members, their guests, and reciprocal club members with peak surcharges September–December.
• Business Center Workspace facility with complimentary open-area computers, WiFi, cell phone chargers, small meeting tables, privacy carrels, and a conference room (seats 5, $45/hour) for members; open daily 7am–11pm.
• Palestra Fitness Center State-of-the-art fitness facility offering personal training, massage therapy (including in-room massage for overnight guests), and reciprocal squash court access at the Yale Club of New York; membership included in club dues.
• Benjamin Franklin Library English brown oak-paneled library open 24/7 to members with complimentary coffee/tea service, newspapers, periodicals, board games, and a circulating book collection; features a University seal leaded-glass window.
• Private Events & Banquets Event hosting services across six venues (Presidents and Provosts Room, Tarnopol Room, Spruce Room, Chestnut Room, Walnut Room, Business Center Conference Room) with professional catering, event planning, and gourmet meals for meetings, weddings, and celebrations.
• Reciprocal Clubs Access Access to 180+ domestic and international reciprocal clubs worldwide, enabling members to use dining, fitness, golf, and accommodations at partner clubs including Army and Navy Club (DC), Harvard Club of Boston, Cosmos Club (DC), Union League Club of Philadelphia, University Club of San Francisco, Tokyo American Club, and Key Biscayne Yacht Club.
• Member Events & Programs Calendar of curated member events including business forums, industry panels, career development lectures, networking events, book clubs, food tastings, culinary feasts, Broadway theater packages, and gallery tours; Inter-Ivy events with Cornell, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Columbia clubs; weekly e-newsletter and monthly e-magazine.

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Yale Club of New YorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal squash privileges agreement allowing Penn Club members to use Yale Club's three International squash courts and 5th Floor locker room facilities. Penn Club members pay court fees ($25 per player, minimum $70 court rental) and must comply with Yale Club rules. This is a key membership benefit.
• Army and Navy Club (Washington DC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of 180+ reciprocal clubs in the United States providing Penn Club members access to dining, accommodations, and club facilities when traveling.
• Harvard Club of BostoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInter-Ivy reciprocal club partnership with Harvard Club of Boston. Part of 180+ reciprocal club network enabling Penn Club members to access university-affiliated clubs globally.
• Cornell Club (previously shared space)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorical relationship with Cornell Club; current reciprocal arrangements with Cornell-affiliated clubs as part of Inter-Ivy networking opportunities.
• Fordham UniversitymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAffiliation agreement allowing Fordham University alumni to become affiliate members of The Penn Club with access to full range of amenities including dining, guest rooms, meeting rooms, reciprocal clubs, business center, and fitness facilities.
• New York UniversitymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAffiliation agreement allowing NYU alumni to become affiliate members of The Penn Club.
• Villanova UniversitymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAffiliation agreement allowing Villanova alumni to become affiliate members of The Penn Club.
• Vanderbilt UniversitymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAffiliation agreement allowing Vanderbilt alumni to become affiliate members of The Penn Club.
• University of ChicagomajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAffiliation agreement allowing University of Chicago alumni to become affiliate members of The Penn Club.
• Columbia University Club of New YorkmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAffiliation agreement allowing Columbia University Club members to become affiliate members of The Penn Club.
• Cosmos Club (Washington DC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal club partnership with Cosmos Club in Washington DC. One of 180+ domestic and international reciprocal clubs providing Penn Club members with access when traveling.
• The Union League Club of PhiladelphiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal club partnership with The Union League Club of Philadelphia. Note: Reciprocal privileges are limited to dining, bar, and general clubhouse use for Penn Club members who are also renting overnight guest rooms.
• University Club of San FranciscocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReciprocal club partnership with University Club of San Francisco. Part of the 180+ reciprocal club network spanning 50 US states and multiple international locations.
• Key Biscayne Yacht ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew reciprocal club partnership (marked with asterisk). Part of 180+ reciprocal clubs providing Penn Club members access to yacht clubs, golf clubs, and athletic facilities globally.
• Tokyo American ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational reciprocal club partnership with Tokyo American Club in Japan. Part of 180+ reciprocal club network spanning Asia, Australia, Europe, Canada, Africa, and South America.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Yale Club of New York City: Ivy League-affiliated private social club in Midtown Manhattan offering comparable dining, lodging, fitness, and reciprocal club access. Penn Club already has a reciprocal squash arrangement with the Yale Club, evidencing direct overlap in target member and product mix.
• Harvard Club of New York City: Flagship Ivy League private club in NYC with overnight rooms, dining, athletic facilities, and a global reciprocal network. Targets the same affluent NYC professional alumni segment as the Penn Club and competes head-to-head for Ivy League-affiliated members.
• Princeton Club of New York: Ivy League-affiliated private club in NYC offering dining, lodging, fitness, and event spaces for alumni. Part of the same Inter-Ivy programming network as Penn Club and serves an overlapping NYC-based alumni demographic.
• Cornell Club of New York: Ivy League-affiliated NYC private club with dining, lodging, and event facilities. Penn Club has a historical relationship with Cornell Club and they participate in shared Inter-Ivy events, making them a direct peer in product and target market.
• Columbia University Club of New York: Affiliated NYC private club for Columbia alumni with reciprocal arrangements and shared programming with Penn Club. Operates similar membership, dining, lodging, and event amenities for the same NYC alumni professional audience.
• The University Club of New York: Elite Midtown Manhattan private club founded in 1865, with a landmark building, overnight rooms, dining, athletic facilities, and a large library. Directly competes for affluent NYC professional members and operates a similar broad-amenity clubhouse model.
• The Metropolitan Club of New York: Historic Madison Avenue private club with dining, event, and lodging facilities targeting NYC's professional and social elite. Operates a similar full-service clubhouse model with comparable amenities and member demographic.
• The Union Club of New York: One of the oldest private clubs in NYC, offering dining, lodging, and event services to a similar professional/affluent member base. Landmark Midtown location and traditional club structure make it directly comparable to Penn Club.
• The Century Association: Distinguished NYC private club for accomplished professionals in the arts, letters, and sciences. Comparable clubhouse model with dining, library, and event programming targeting an overlapping NYC elite member profile.

Emerging players

• Soho House: Global membership-based social club and hospitality brand targeting younger creative professionals. Competes for the same NYC professional member wallet share with a more modern, flexible model, representing an emerging threat to traditional private clubs like Penn Club.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/people/The-Penn-Club-NY/100092719784356/?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=DuSRLZePOQFwdD3O&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1AmkVxKhet%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr
• Instagraminstagram.com/thepennclub
• Xx.com/thepennclub
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/penn-club-of-new-york

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Penn Club of New York