One of Midtown Wilmington’s longest-running neighborhood amenities is getting a second life this week. According to Port City Daily (Nov. 3, 2026), The Club at Midtown, the rebuilt private club on the former Holly Tree Racquet Club site off Holly Tree Road, holds its grand opening on Friday, Nov. 6, from 3 to 6 p.m. If you own a home near Holly Tree Road, Westchester, or Kirby Smith Drive, or you’re shopping for a home in Midtown, here’s what the opening means and what to keep in mind.
What’s Opening at The Club at Midtown
The club sits at 4950 Holly Tree Road, where the Holly Tree Racquet and Swim Club has operated since 1994. Per Port City Daily’s Nov. 3 report, the finished club includes:
- 11 indoor, air-conditioned pickleball courts and four covered outdoor pickleball courts
- Two clay tennis courts
- Golf and game simulators
- A resort-style pool with a pool house and steam room
- A fitness center plus a members-only restaurant, café, and bar
It’s a private, membership-based club, so day-to-day use is for members only. The Nov. 6 opening event is open to the public with an RSVP, and it includes a ribbon cutting and a chance to tour the facility. The club has also said it plans to add bocce, badminton, cornhole, and a mahjong room in 2027, and to replaster and heat the pool ahead of the 2027 season.
The Rules That Came With the Expansion
Because the club opened before Wilmington’s current zoning code, it’s a legal nonconforming use in a residential (R-15) area. That meant any expansion of its indoor space or paved surfaces needed a special use permit. Wilmington City Council approved that permit unanimously on Feb. 4, 2025, after a quasi-judicial hearing where several Westchester-area neighbors raised concerns about traffic, noise, and stormwater, as WilmingtonBiz reported on Feb. 5, 2025.
The conditions attached to that permit matter for anyone living nearby. As reported by WilmingtonBiz and Port City Daily, they include:
- A membership cap of 800. The club reported about 400 members at the time of approval.
- Noise limits on outdoor play. Outdoor courts require quiet, sound-reducing paddles and are bordered by sound-deadening materials with a covered awning, and outdoor tournament play isn’t allowed.
- Hours limits. Outdoor courts and their lights shut down by 9 p.m., with weekday outdoor play starting no earlier than 9 a.m. Indoor facilities close by 10 p.m.
- A pedestrian connection. The permit calls for a walkway through the site connecting toward Kirby Smith Drive.
The engineering consultant estimated the project would generate about 364 average daily vehicle trips, roughly 60 more than the site’s previous use, according to WilmingtonBiz. In August 2026, StarNews (Aug. 6, 2026) reported that the club sought, then withdrew, a permit change to swap some outdoor pickleball courts for padel courts and add perimeter fencing. That’s a reminder that a permit can be revisited, and that neighbors get notice and a hearing when it is.
What It Means for Nearby Homeowners
A well-run private amenity a short walk or drive away can be a real selling point, especially for buyers who play pickleball or tennis and don’t want to drive across town for it. Midtown already draws buyers for its central location between downtown, the beaches, and the shopping along Oleander Drive and Independence Boulevard, and a high-profile recreation club adds to that story.
At the same time, homes that back up to or face the club should expect more activity than in the old Holly Tree days, with more members, more parking, and more evening traffic on Holly Tree and Westchester roads. If you’re thinking about selling a home close to the club, it’s worth knowing the permit conditions so you can answer buyer questions about noise and hours with facts instead of guesses. If you notice a problem, such as play outside the permitted hours, the City of Wilmington is the place to report it, since the conditions are enforceable parts of the permit.
Tips for Buyers Shopping in Midtown
Visit at different times of day
If you’re looking at a home within earshot of the club, drive by on a weekday evening and a Saturday morning. That gives you a better sense of traffic and sound than a single midday showing.
Ask about membership separately from the house
Buying a nearby home doesn’t come with club access. Membership is a separate decision with its own costs and terms, so check directly with the club rather than assuming anything from a listing.
Look at the permit record
The special use permit and its conditions are public. Reading them, or having your agent pull them, tells you what the club can and can’t do, which is more useful than neighborhood rumors.
Factor in growth around Midtown
Midtown keeps changing, from new restaurants to redevelopment along major corridors. A strong amenity base tends to support demand, but every home’s value still depends on its own condition, lot, and location, so lean on recent comparable sales rather than headlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does The Club at Midtown open?
Its grand opening is Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, from 3 to 6 p.m., per Port City Daily. The public can attend with an RSVP.
Is The Club at Midtown open to the public?
No. It’s a private, membership-based club. The opening event is the exception.
Are there limits on noise and hours?
Yes. The city’s special use permit requires quiet paddles on outdoor courts, sound-deadening materials, outdoor play ending by 9 p.m., and indoor facilities closing by 10 p.m., with membership capped at 800.
Will the club affect home values nearby?
Nobody can promise that either way. Amenities can add appeal for some buyers, while homes right next door may see more traffic. Recent sales in your specific pocket of Midtown are the best guide.
Thinking About Buying or Selling in Midtown?
Whether you’re weighing a move close to the new club or wondering how it fits into your home’s selling story, we can walk you through recent Midtown sales and what buyers are asking about right now. Reach out to Aspyre Collective to start the conversation.
