Equinox to Open ‘Luxury Fitness Club’ at Former Bay Club Space

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Equinox is slated to open a “luxury fitness club” at a Sunset Boulevard space previously occupied by Bay Club.

“We are looking towards a summer of 2024 opening,” Equinox Senior Vice President, Communications, Events and Philanthropy, Judy Taylor told the Palisadian-Post on October 24.

The area of work for the project includes approximately 24,700 square feet of space. The project includes “tenant improvement/interior remodel of existing health club/gym” on three floors of Building C and the third floor of Building B, according to a planning package.

Rosenheim & Associates, Inc., was on a Pacific Palisades Community Council agenda to speak on behalf of Equinox regarding the forthcoming facility, but the item was removed from the final agenda, as “there was no decision to be made,” PPCC Chair Maryam Zar explained: “PPCC would review a use variance, but they aren’t asking for one.”

According to the city of Los Angeles “the project is currently on hold pending the submission of documents from the applicant” as of Tuesday, October 24.

“Once those documents are received, the next step would be a Design Review Board hearing,” the representative explained. “In a related case, pending approval from the Coastal Commission, the client is requesting a tenant improvement for a six-month operation in Building B for a space to sell gym memberships while the renovation is underway.”

Bay Club closed at the end of May 2022 after deciding not to renew its lease at 17383 Sunset Boulevard. The space was acquired by Spectrum Clubs in 2003, then the Bay Club Company—a California-based active lifestyle corporation—announced on April 2, 2015, the acquisition of Spectrum Athletic Clubs, including the Spectrum Palisades gym.

A representative from Bay Club Company told the Post at the time that the Bay Club’s lease in the Palisades had expired amid the coronavirus pandemic, and they elected to extend their lease another year to pursue discussions with their landlord.

“We had tried to reach an agreement that would enable us to continue on, but ultimately we were not able to come to terms,” they said.

Equinox currently operates just over 100 clubs in Boston, New York, Canada, London and more. There are 23 clubs in Southern California, including in Santa Monica and Beverly Hills.

Membership benefits, according to the Equinox website, include unlimited classes (Stronger, Barre Beyond, Anthem and others), a complimentary fitness assessment and a complimentary personal training session.

Featured amenities at clubs include eucalyptus steam rooms, member lounges, yoga and barre studios, and outdoor terraces. Plans for the Palisades location include a kids gym, juice bar and group fitness space.