The club was founded on December 29, 1898, by a group of Italian immigrants and their descendants. The club was conceived as a cycling institution due to Italian immigrants being enthusiastic about bicycles. For that reason the club was originally named as "Club Ciclístico Italiano". As other sports were added, the name changed to its current denomination in 1912.
Italiano rented the Recreo Belvedere facilities during 10 years, until the club moved to its current location on Rivadavia Avenue in Caballito neighborhood. In 1980, Italiano acquired 17 hectares to Municipality of Buenos Aires, where its sports facilities were built. The club currently has about 7,000 members.[3][4]