Austins Elite Headliners Club Gets a $8M Renovation in Chase Tower: A Look Back and Forward

AUSTIN, TX (KXAN) — The Headliners Club, a beloved Austin institution for over seven decades, is undergoing a major renovation in its new home on the 20th and 21st floors of the Chase Tower. The club, known as the "third space" for many of Austin's elite, has been a staple in the city's social scene since the mid-1970s. The $8 million renovation project is being led by Michael Hsu, principal at Michael Hsu Office of Architecture, and aims to surprise and delight members when they return for the first time after construction is complete in the fall. "We want them to be completely surprised," said Hsu. "Like we completely blew their expectations for what might be at the top of this building." To achieve this, Hsu is using different woods with different finishes, lots of natural materials including stone, along with custom lighting and furniture. All of these choices are aimed at preserving the club's legacy while modernizing it. "We didn't want it to feel like it just landed here completely new," said Hsu. "It had to sort of look backwards, but also very much look forward to the future of Austin in the design of the space." The club's nearly 1,000 membership holders include past presidents, current senators, business leaders, and the press that covers them. Prospective members must be nominated by two current members and pay a substantial initiation fee and monthly dues to join. "The club is not limited to any type of job experience or where you live or what you do," said McKinnon Morton, the club's director of member experience. "It's truly just a community that you want to be part of." The renovation will include a grand entrance with a view of downtown Austin, upgrades to lounges and bar areas, dining rooms, bathrooms, and the kitchen. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, and when it is, the Headliners Club will be ready to welcome its members back with a fresh new look and feel that will continue to represent Austin and its members for years to come.