Declining memberships and financial pressures have seen many aging community and cultural clubs close to make way for housing, but in Melbourne, one developer has decided to build apartments and retain a famous social club. Gurner will revamp Johnston Street’s The Spanish Club. The deal will see the 789sqm prime site transformed into a new Spanish bar and restaurant and clubhouse facilities at ground level – to be operated by The Spanish Club – with approximately 50 apartments occupying the five to six levels above. The design proposal will draw from Spanish mansion architecture. The firm is in the early stages of planning with the project likely to launch in mid-2016. Gurner founder and developer Tim Gurner said the deal would guarantee the survival of the historic club, which was established in 1969. “The sad reality is that social clubs are dying all over Australia; these institutions must innovate if they are to survive which is exactly what the Spanish Club has done," said Gurner. "As developers we have a responsibility to preserve the essence of our city’s heritage and culture so this is a great example of collaborating with social clubs in order to ensure their longevity." The Sydney Spanish Club was forced to shut in 2013. Melbourne’s Celtic Club is currently on the market with the members looking to relocate to a smaller, more financially viable site. Melbourne’s Swiss Club has been forced to lease out its restaurant to new tenants in order to stay afloat, while Canberra’s Italian Club has been battling the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal in an effort to keep its embattled pokies venue alive.