Practice makes perfect for Jeremy and Lori Lowell. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett awarded the eight-location Gold’s Gym franchisees the 2011 Mayor’s Design Award for the design of the couple’s downtown Milwaukee Gold’s Gym. The award has been given to Milwaukee landmarks that exhibit design excellence and according to the mayor, “contribute to the character of its surroundings, add value to its neighborhood and contribute to the urban fabric.” The award ceremony was held on May 25, 2011 at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The Lowell’s along with their partners received the award.
The downtown Gold’s Gym is housed in a building built in the early 1900s. The entire building was gutted to bring the five club floors to fruition. Lori said that their partner Sandy Hall was truly the brains behind the vision. The project was originally envisioned by the Lowell’s departed friend, Eddie Dail, nearly five years ago.
“The thought was to build a high end club with beautiful materials and wonderful flow. All of our ideas were discussed and thought through before we finalized,” Lori said. “It was the first urban club for all of us so we were challenged with making sure that we were catering properly to the community. The use of all the windows looking out on all aspects of downtown Milwaukee really makes the design special. Group Fitness and Women’s only has it’s own wing and the design of the Group Fitness and Mind Body rooms are warm and inviting but can cater to very large classes. The executive locker rooms are really beautiful — in fact, they are sold out.”
Lori said her and the partners are all in love with the design and layout of the top floor, which is the fitness floor, and some cardio. “One end of it looks down on the basketball court and the other end looks down on the river in the heart of Milwaukee,” she said. “The walls have arches and the space just feels vast and magnificent”
The group was honored to receive the award, Lori said. “It’s truly an honor and makes us feel welcome into the downtown Milwaukee Community.”
