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Photos by George N. Lundskow — The CapitalSardinia at his new club: “Once you become a controversial person there’s no way out of it except to leave town and I’m not going to do that-”Owner of posh club is the town'smost loved, most mei igned celebPatrons at Sardinia’s feast on extensive buffet served on the deckBy SUSAN JACOBSON Staff WriterA r*Some praise him, others malign him, but most everyone in Annapolis agrees that Sam “Luxury Houseboat” Sardinia is Public Figure No, 1 in town.Since January, when he bought thefailing Mariner’s Wharf restaurant andbegan turning it into a posh waterfront club, Sardinia has been riding a wave of public attention.But if he is a celebrity, Sam says he is a reluctant one,“I don’t like walking into some place and having people say, ‘There’s Sam Sardinia,’ ” he said. “I’d much rather be anonymous.’’His critics say the opposite is true, that the millionaire’s ego is as large as the big banner proclaiming the public opening of Sardinia’s Club International.“My philosophy 12 years ago was: Only be known by the wine steward and the maitre d’,” Sardinia said Sunday as he sipped vodka and grapefruit juice out of a crystal parfait glass.“But once the publicity starts you can’t stop it. So you may as well use your name.”Sardinia’s new philosophy is apparent in his club, where a boutique sells “Sardinia Club International” T-shirtsat $13.95 apiece.In the dining room, gold-trimmed bone china sports the Sardinia club logo, an ocean sunset behind a lone palm tree on an island.Even the color-coordinated towels in Sardinia’s private bathroom onboard his notorious houseboat, S.S. Sardinia, are emblazoned with just plain “Sam.” The houseboat, at the center of past feuds with club neighbors, the county and even the state, is the best symbol of Sardinia’s going with the flow of fame philosophy.“It’s what everyone should want in life.” Sardinia said of his 200-foot floating home.But not everyone wants it. Neighbors have called it an eyesore and apotential source of traffic troubles.“It’s the ultimate in romance. I’m sorry that there are a handful of people in town who aren’t into romance.” Sardinia and his neighbors on the Severn reached a truce earlier this month when he agreed to dock his boatat the club no more than one week monthly.Despite the controversy. Sardinia said he plans to make a go of his club and remain on his houseboat, once a broken-down hulk he has transformed into a floating palace.“It was a rusting old lady when I bought it,” he said. Now the S.S. Sardinia is a showplace designed and decorated by Sardinia himself.His pride in the metamorphosis is apparent as he ushers guests into the spacious main salon. Sardinia clearly enjoys the gasps of awelie earns as a tour guide. .Everything from the semi-circular bar to the alcove that holds a 120-year-old imported rosewood piano is decorated in peach, burgundy, rose and gray.A mirrored circular staircase leads from the salon to the bedroom Sardinia shares with his second wife, Rita. A former Playboy Bunny, she was 19 and married to a Hungarian baron when Sardinia met her in 1977.Above their canopy bed is a backlit stained glass window depicting a couple on the beach, the man holding the woman’s hands. Sardinia had the scene recreated from a favorite Christmas card.A brief tour of Mrs. Sardinia’s immense walk-in closet reveals ball gowns and furs that would do Princess Diana proud.The master bedroom is only one of seven bedrooms onboard.The spacious guest bedrooms are decorated with individual color schemes, chandeliers and Oriental rugs. The private bathroom for each features crystal light fixtures and gold faucets.Added to these luxuries are a brass-and-marble-floored disco and aswimming pool with S.S. Sardinia spelled in black tiles on the bottom,Even though Sardinia, 56, revels in his prized possession, he likes to maintain the air of someone untouched by the opulence.He dresses casually. In a blue checked shirt, khaki shorts and white deck shoes, Sardinia looks more like the man next door than a wealthy entrepeneur.“Sam’s a very down-to-earth person (Continued on Page B7* Col 1)
Newspaper Details
Capital Gazette
Annapolis, Maryland, US
Thu, Jun 23, 1988
Page 47
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 29 Aug 2021
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