Bolstered by the energy and confidence of the early twentieth century woman's club movement Elizabeth Pillsbury, the Club's first President, was instrumental in encouraging dynamic and visionary women in the community to found the first woman's athletic and social club on the West Coast. Built by the prominent San Francisco architectural firm of Bliss & Faville, 640 Sutter Street’s design references early Renaissance palazzos. The Club opened in 1917 offering gymnastics, swimming, dancing, basketball, fencing, hockey, volleyball, and tennis in the city's first indoor tennis court, as well as Turkish baths, massage, hydro-therapeutics, and hair dressing. In 1966, recognizing that the Club’s offerings had grown to include dining, a beautiful bar, musical events, lectures, and a variety of other social activities, Club members voted on a new name - the Metropolitan Club of San Francisco. Since its founding, the Met Club has grown and prospered and remains one of the country’s most beautiful and vibrant private clubs. The Metropolitan Club is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.”