Jacob Riis Park Bathhouse in Queens is moving toward a major summer return after decades of disuse, with recent reports describing the redevelopment as an $88 million makeover that will reopen the historic beachfront building as Rockaway Ocean Club.
The bathhouse sits inside Jacob Riis Park on the Rockaway Peninsula, part of Gateway National Recreation Area, and has long been tied to New York City’s public beach culture. The site has a long public history. According to the National Park Service, Jacob Riis Park was designated in 1912. The bathhouse opened in 1932 and was remodeled in 1937, and the property became part of the National Park Service when Gateway National Recreation Area was established in 1972.
The redevelopment is expected to bring public food and drink options. It will also have a central courtyard, live programming, a rooftop restaurant, event space, a pool, and a planned 28-room boutique hotel in a later phase. In addition, the project includes a private members-only beach club, a detail that has drawn attention as Jacob Riis Park has historically been known as “The People’s Beach.”
Jacob Riis Park Bathhouse Is Returning In Phases
Secret NYC reported that the Jacob Riis Park Bathhouse is expected to reopen this summer after being closed to the public since 1972. The outlet described the project as a three-year, $88 million reconstruction that will restore the complex, which will operate as Rockaway Ocean Club. Some public-facing areas, including interior courtyard spaces and boardwalk food shops, are expected to open around the Fourth of July weekend, while other parts of the redevelopment will follow in phases.
The official federal record gives important background on how the redevelopment began. In 2022, the National Park Service announced a 60-year lease with Bathhouse Lodge LLC, doing business as CBSK Developers and Brooklyn Bazaar, to preserve and restore the 1932 bathhouse. At the time, the agency described the project as a $50 million restoration and said the revitalized landmark would include restaurants, a bar, a pool, event spaces, and 28 hotel rooms.
The project also has a focus on preservation and resilience. The National Park Service said the restoration would preserve the bathhouse’s Byzantine, Moorish, and Moderne influences while bringing back uses similar to its original restaurants and concessions. The work also builds on earlier post-Hurricane Sandy repairs and resiliency upgrades after the storm damaged the property.
Public Amenities And A Private Beach Club Are Part Of The Plan
The renovated bathhouse will include both public areas and members-only spaces. Rockaway Ocean Club says Jacob Riis Beach will remain fully public, and more than 60% of the building will be open to everyone, including the ground-floor café, coffee and gelato shop, juice and salad bar, food kiosks, bars, retail shops, and courtyard. The courtyard is also expected to host public and ticketed events, from live music to cultural programming.
The private portion will include a members-only beach club with lounges, an oceanfront restaurant, and a 162-person pool. Memberships reportedly start around $1,000 a year for local residents and about $3,500 for families outside the Rockaways. Member and hotel guest areas will include the pool, outdoor lobby, and second-floor guest rooms and lounge, which are expected to open in 2027.
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