S p e c i a l F e a t u r e
private playhouse. An expansive foyer
and sweeping staircase lead to a four-
storey labyrinth of delights, including the
penthouse health club, whose rooftop
patio features Instagram-worthy views of
Vancouver's harbour. Here, guests can
indulge in squash, yoga, a swim-and-sauna
and o•-the-cu• tness activities (dodgeball,
anyone?). Downstairs, a cozy lounge o•ers
billiards, snooker and, most intriguingly,
a wall of liquor lockers installed during
Prohibition that members still use. Each
of the club's four restaurants convey a
distinct feel, from the Brit-style Lions
Pub to upscale 1892 Bistro; the latter is
the only restaurant in
TCC that adheres to
traditional rules forbidding mobile devices
or paperwork.
The digs are luxe, but Jackman says
sta¢ng makes all the di•erence. "Truly
impeccable service can't be trained," he
maintains. "We're very thoughtful when
hiring sta•, because the human capital of
our club is key." Indeed, service throughout
is thoughtful and personable. Each member
is greeted by name. The concierge asks
about one man's family; a server enquires
after a young woman's home renovations.
"When you work at a private club, you
have the luxury of getting to know your
members," says Jennifer Silver, director of
marketing and membership. "We see them
all the time. We know how they take their
morning lattes. They become part of our
family, and each other's, and it makes our
club's bond stronger."
Jackman and his team also recognize
that, regardless of tradition, members
come from a plugged-in society and
carry certain expectations in terms of
technological o•erings. As such, the entire
club is out tted with wireless technolo¤y,
and each room features state-of-the-art
amenities. "We constantly have to evolve
to keep in step with new innovations," says
Jackman. "I'm not saying we're cutting-
edge because we o•er wireless Internet.
But our members come from a tech world,
and they expect the same standards of
their home and o¢ce to be o•ered in their
club." Of course, that doesn't mean
TCC
has completely dispensed with tradition.
"Ninety-seven per cent of our members
are anti-phone while in the club," says
Silver. "It feels like an indulgence to enjoy
a leisurely lunch without being interrupted
by people shouting into their mobiles or
texting throughout the meal."
Despite being a members-only
establishment,
TCC regularly engages
with the community, hosting themed
events, galas, fundraisers and awareness
campaigns for organizations ranging from
St. Paul's Hospital to local elementary
schools. "The
CKNW Orphans' Fund
event was really fun, and we raised a
record amount for the organization—that
felt good," recalls Jackman. "We're thrilled
to work with community organizations
throughout the year because it gives us an
opportunity to give back in a meaningful
way." Spoken like a true gentleman.
