River Hills Club House Valrico, Florida

Client: Arvida

Location:3943 New River Hills Parkway

Site: A gently rolling site that overlooks a golf course and the site of future single family homes.

Program Challenge: The challenge was to design a country club facility to serve as the focal point and theme building for the entire recreational complex, including an entry gate house, swim and tennis pavilion, cart storage building, and sales and administration building. A residential aesthetic scale was desired by the owner-developer.

Solution: Rowe Architects determined that a bungalow-style building would capture the residential flavor the developer was looking for. The firm conducted extensive research in the historic Hyde Park neighborhood of Tampa to pinpoint the specific qualities and features of the bungalow that they would include on the River Hills project. Large overhangs common to bungalows were used at entryways and on the terrace to provide generous outdoor spaces with extra protection from the elements. Florida limestone veneers, along with horizontal wood lap siding, heavy wood trellis, Mexican tile and shingles were used to deliver the aesthetic the developer wanted while also creating an authentic bungalow look. Inside, the club features comfortable spaces with a residential feel without forfeiting the vistas and amenities required by a modern country club. The dining room lounge area and terrace command a view of the 18th green and 10th tee. The entry lounge is designed to accommodate overflow from the dining room to serve large banquets. An “airplane” belvedere provides natural light into the entry lounge as well as the corridor serving the locker and exercise rooms. The kitchen is equipped with a private, enclosed service yard.

In addition to the 12,453 square foot clubhouse, the project also included a 200 square foot entry gate house, a 1,500 square foot pool and tennis building with an Olympic-size swimming pool and eight tennis courts, 5,000 square foot golf cart storage facility, and a 2,500 square foot sales center.

Award of Excellence, 1991, Hillsborough County Planning Commission