Sipping a pint of Yuengling inside Chenango on a recent evening, 34-year-old Corinna Davis said she is seriously considering joining Arrow Swim Club, Philadelphia’s first over-21, members only pool.
“I came as a guest a few times and it was a blast,” said Davis, who is a sales and marketing representative and lives in Northern Liberties, a few blocks from Arrow. “The price is a little steep, but I’d definitely be here a lot, so I think it would be worth it.”
Owned by Piazza developer Bart Blatstein and public relations guru Nicole Cashman, Arrow Swim Club opened its doors May 15. A membership is $1,000 per season, which runs until Oct. 16, and it’s capped at 1,000 members. Guest passes range from $20 to $40.
Cashman, who has more than 15 years of experience in representing luxury brands and staging special events, jumped at the chance to launch Arrow when Blatstein approached her with the idea.
“I wanted to blend my years of experience and start my own luxury brand,” she said. “When Bart came to me with this opportunity, how could I resist?”
Arrow is across the street from the Piazza at Germantown Avenue and Hancock Street. Adjacent to the swim club is Chenango, a bar and restaurant that is open to the general public.
Instead of providing an ultra-luxe experience like an over-21 pool in a city such as Las Vegas, Arrow has more of an upscale bohemian feel.
“We took the neighborhood into account when we came up with the concept,” said Jacklin Rhoads, a spokesperson for Arrow, noting that a swim club with waterfalls, a wave pool and white linen would stick out in an urban area near the el and 95.
“We call it ‘bohemian set,’ and the set means jet set,” she said. “The idea is Miami-meets-Scottsdale-meets-The Hamptons.”
Native American and Key West influences could be seen too, from the fun, mismatched pillows and throw rugs in the cabanas to the funky, vintage-looking aluminum trailer painted yellow and white that serves as the towel service spot. The arrow theme can be spotted throughout the property.
Chris Sheffield of the local firm SLDesigns transformed the former Arrow Screw Company into a welcoming getaway in less than six months – the project was launched in December.
The pool is 1,380 square feet and, at 4.5 deep, it’s more for hanging out rather than swimming. A waiter comes by every 20 minutes to serve drinks poolside. Patrons can relax on lounge chairs, day beds, hammocks, or in one of the cabanas that line the outer perimeter of the pool area.
The smaller cabanas can accommodate four to six people and the larger ones can hold eight to 10. All cabanas feature 32-inch flat screen televisions, Blu-Ray players, ceiling fans, Xbox 360s, WiFi, personal waiter service and bottle service.
Members can pre-select DVDs, board games, video games and beverages to be stocked prior to arrival. There is no charge to rent a cabana, but food and drink minimums are enforced and range from $200 to $750 during peak season.
Overlooking the pool area is a sundeck, featuring rows of chaise lounges, numerous day beds and a second bar.
There’s more to do than lay by the pool – it has ping pong tables, an office center with a fax, scanner and copier, parties with live DJs, happy hours, monthly themed movie nights and yoga.
Arrow also offers spa services including massages, manicures, pedicures, facials and waxing.
Most members are in the 25-45 age range. Rhoads said their membership roster is about three-quarters full and they will give tours daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. until they hit 1,000 members. Arrow offers free self-parking & discount valet parking.
Davis, who works from home, said she could see herself spending her days by the pool with her laptop instead of her home office.
“It could also be a great place to bring clients just to schmooze and talk about business,” she said. “If you break it down by day, it’s $5 or $6 a day, which is really a bargain when you consider how cool it is.”
“O.K., I’m convinced!” she said, laughing. “Where do I sign up?”
