Billionaire developer Rick Caruso is offering an early look at his newest venture: a private lakefront club set to open this fall inside the gated Sherwood community near Thousand Oaks.
Caruso, best known for creating high-profile Southern California destinations including The Grove, The Americana at Brand and The Commons at Calabasas, is moving further into private hospitality with the Miramar Lake Club. According to LA Mag, the members-only waterfront property in the Santa Monica Mountains is designed to blend golf, dining and social experiences in an exclusive setting.
The site was previously operated as Sherwood Lake Club. Caruso acquired the property earlier this year after the death of its former owner, David H. Murdock, the billionaire entrepreneur who turned Dole Food Co. into the world’s largest producer of fruits and vegetables.
“It came together very quickly. I knew Dave Murdock well, and I knew the quality that he put into everything that he built.
“The whole development behind the gates out there, it’s really one of a kind. To own part of that with our own club, I thought it was an opportunity that we couldn’t pass up,” Caruso told The Hollywood Reporter.
Since taking over the club, Caruso and his team have refreshed the property’s design and amenities as they reintroduce it as Miramar Lake Club. The name also connects the project to Caruso’s Rosewood Miramar Beach resort in Montecito.
A major draw of the club is its 18-hole, par-3 golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus. The course is described as one of only two of its kind in the world and the only one in the United States, offering an approachable experience for newcomers while still providing enough strategy and nuance for more experienced players.
Caruso said the concept was partly inspired by golf’s growing momentum, noting that participation in the sport has increased by more than 50% over the past 10 years.
“The Miramar Lake Club is our vision for where golf is heading; more welcoming, more dynamic, and deeply rooted in experience,” Caruso added.
“This is an opportunity to bring a new level of hospitality, design, and community to the game, creating a destination unlike anything that exists today.”
The club is also designed to offer more than just golf. Members will have access to an 18,000-square-foot clubhouse, a resort-style pool, state-of-the-art fitness and training facilities, tennis courts, wellness amenities, a culinary program, and a signature restaurant concept led by a yet-to-be-announced award-winning chef.
Additionally, a calendar of social events is planned as part of the club’s membership experience, with Caruso envisioning the property as a place where members can build connections beyond the golf course.
