The Amarillo Club very graciously offered use of their space for photographing our 2025 Brickly Award winners, and will host our Brickly Awards banquet and celebration in February. Their gorgeous facility is home to the best views in Amarillo, and while using it, we asked a few questions of the club’s general manager, Jake Jenkins. An Amarillo College grad, Jenkins has been with the club since 2021.
- Your office is the highest point in Amarillo. What do you love about it? I love having a front-row seat to the show stopping Amarillo sky, especially when a storm starts stacking up on the Plains. With weather as unpredictable as ours, having that kind of vantage point is quite the perk. In the summer, I occasionally catch the Hodgetown fireworks. From 31 stories up, it’s a whole different kind of show.
- How many members does the Amarillo Club have, and what do you appreciate about them? We currently have just under 700 member families, and I truly can’t say enough about them. They’re generous, welcoming, energetic and genuinely fun to be around. It’s an honor to serve such an incredible group of people who care deeply about the Amarillo community. If you’re not a member, you’re missing out!
- How is the club working to attract a new generation of members while still honoring its longtime community? Alongside staying attuned to the hottest food and beverage trends, we’re intentional about offering a dynamic mix of events while keeping cherished traditions alive. Whether it’s a lively Friday night playing “Boozy Bingo” or an elegant evening enjoying “Prime Rib Night” and live music, there’s truly something for everyone. That balance is what sets us apart. We also offer Junior membership rates for those under the age of 40 to make joining even more accessible.
- How does the evolution of the club reflect how Amarillo is changing? Founded in 1947 as a gentlemen’s-only organization, Amarillo Club has always been a staple in our community. Over the last 78 years, we’ve maintained a reputation of excellence while thoughtfully weaving tradition together with modern expectations. The goal is simple: create a refined experience in an atmosphere that feels welcoming, relaxed and never pretentious. I think it’s safe to say the previous sentence could be used to describe the Amarillo community as well, and that’s really saying something.
- What’s one thing the public may not realize about working at the top of the highest building in the Texas Panhandle? The chandeliers actually sway when the wind kicks up, a subtle but fascinating reminder of the building’s intentional engineering. The Tower is designed to flex with high winds and, on especially gusty days, you can hear the gentle clink of the glass pendants as they move. While some might find it a little unnerving, I think it’s captivating—a quiet blend of architectural ingenuity and the ever-changing personality of Amarillo weather.
