VIDA Fitness to Open Flagship Location in D.C.

In mid-2014, VIDA Fitness will officially be the cornerstone of Washington, D.C.’s Twelve12 project, a construction project that will include a 28,000-square-foot facility boasting apartment complexes, a Harris Teeter grocery store and retailers at The Yards.

The Yards is located in the waterfront district of D.C. and is near the Navy Yard, Nationals Park and the riverfront. It offers premier amenities, which the management of VIDA Fitness wanted to be a part of.

“The Navy Yards project is located in one of the few in-town neighborhoods where residential and commercial density combine to create the potential for a truly exciting neighborhood,” said David von Storch, VIDA Fitness’ founder and owner. “This location will include all of our concepts in a state-of-the-art flagship VIDA Fitness, including Penthouse Pool and Lounge, Aura Spa and Bang Salon.”

All the services offered by a typical VIDA Fitness facility will be offered at The Yards’ location, which includes group fitness classes such as Pilates and yoga, as well as personal training. Laundry services, tanning beds and a Fuel Bar full of healthy food options are all integral parts of VIDA health clubs, as well, and will be available to members at The Yards’ location.

Also added to the Twelve12 project will be VIDA’s Penthouse Pool Club and Lounge, which gives members the option to spend time at a rooftop pool.

VIDA’s Aura spa services will be offered, which include hot stone and Thai massage, pre-natal massage, body wraps, facials, waxing and other therapeutic services. VIDA’s Bang Salon will also have a dedicated space at Twelve12, to go along with everything else VIDA Fitness will offer Twelve12 residents.

“VIDA will be a wonderful addition to the growing waterfront neighborhood at The Yards,” said Deborah Ratner Salzberg, president of Forest City Washington, in a news release. “With its unmatched fitness facilities, plus the salon and spa, VIDA truly nourishes the body, mind and spirit.”

In addition to helping all of the residents of The Yards “nourish” their bodies, VIDA Fitness is also set to nourish their business plan. Locating at The Yards was a move that von Storch was particularly excited about.

“We seek out real estate development partners who are building projects in neighborhoods where we think VIDA can excel,” said von Storch. “By getting involved before ground is broken we can influence the space we will occupy to make it a more compelling addition to the project.”

The Yards has quickly become one of the more highly-developed waterfront areas in the Capitol. The first residential use of the location, Foundry Loft Apartments, began leasing in May 2013. Yards Park finished construction in 2010 and plays host to different festivals, concerts and other events throughout the year.

With all construction set to be completed by 2014, The Yards will have 2,800 total residential units, where residents can enjoy a rooftop deck. There will also be 400,000 square feet of space for retail or restaurant usage and 1.8 million square feet of space for offices.

VIDA Fitness is based out of Washington, D.C. and is known for features such as its Gear Shop, endless pools and Fuel Bar. The club has five locations throughout the Capitol.

Von Starch said that VIDA Fitness will be ready to announce another project by the first quarter of 2014. Until then, The Yards’ Twelve12 project will be at the forefront of the company’s mind, as the club attempts to make an even bigger splash in the fitness industry.

“We believe that this location puts our company in an even stronger competitive position in what is an extraordinarily competitive industry,” he said.

By Ashley Scoby