Designed in Gothic and Romanesque styles by architecture firm Varian and Sterner in 1891, the Highland building on the corner of 9th Street and Arapahoe Avenue served as a public school for some 80 years before it closed and fell into disrepair, abandoned and facing demolition. When Boulder resident Sina Simantob discovered the structure in 1978, he leaped at the chance to buy it and transform the space into something truly unique.
“As a young, foreign engineer looking for a home in America, I was convinced I could renovate and financially save a structure that every other real estate developer had looked at and passed on,” says Sina, who immigrated to the United States from Iran. Last year, the U.S. Surgeon General declared loneliness the number one epidemic in America. Having experienced this feeling firsthand, Sina decided to do something about it.
Highland City Club isn’t just a private social and business club, like the sophisticated Soho Houses in glittering metropolises across three continents or the posh Park House in Dallas and Houston—it’s also a place where members from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, races, and geographic regions are celebrated for their differences and ability to express thoughts and opinions without judgment. Uncharacteristically set against the backdrop of the Boulder foothills, Highland is a study of how a concept deeply rooted in tradition can evolve into a business model that also incorporates today's progressive values.
“In most social gatherings, the conversations are safe and shallow, often discouraging discussion of politics, religion, and finances,” Sina says. “When asked how one is doing, people seldom want to hear the honest answer: going through a separation, having a hard time at work, dealing with health issues. Highland City Club is a safe place to do just that.”
Currently, the club has 300 members ranging in age from 23 to 96—men and women from various walks of life. Like most conventional social clubs, potential members apply and are vetted before being accepted. Part of that vetting process includes significant time spent getting to know applicants personally, including their intentions for joining and what they strive to achieve as a result of their membership. Highland operates under the motto “Securus Locus,” which is Latin for “a safe space.” Above all, kindness and respect are paramount; members are expected to treat other members and Highland staff with nothing less.
Amenities within Highland still reflect the traditional part of its DNA—seven meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 40 people, 23 private offices that often have a waiting list, and social programming based on intellectual pursuits, Jeffersonian dialogs, social dining, and movie and game nights. Additionally, the club’s picturesque grounds and award-winning gardens have played host to many social, political and philanthropic events.
Today, after 45 years of continuous refinement, Sina’s son Dustin Simantob manages the club. To ensure this historic landmark doesn't become a stale museum, Dustin continues to leave his aesthetic mark on the interiors, which are inspired by minimalist design à la Cereal magazine and British photographer Rich Stapleton’s moody yet simplistic snaps. “I love the way that he captures the small and beautiful details of life around us. That’s our passion. That's what we care about,” Dustin says.
Simple, genuine connections fostered by a sense of community best define Highland City Club. Whether members apply for business, social or dining pursuits, ultimately, they strive to be part of a community that provides a safe space for authentic self-expression.
“We're unique in the sense that every member stands by the values our community is based on—extending to others the same grace that our country extends to all citizens, including my immigrant father,” Dustin says. “America is a melting pot. Everyone gets a chance to become their best self.”
Visit highlandcityclub.com for membership offerings and additional details.