A weighty deal for Urban Splash
Dutch based gym operator FitForFree, one of Europe’s largest and fastest growing low cost gym chains, has confirmed that it will open its first UK low cost health & fitness club at the Matchbox building, creating 25 jobs in the process. It is huge shot in the arm for the area and represents one of the biggest lettings for years in this location.
Walter Faulstroh, CEO of Fit4Free UK said: “We are very much looking forward to launching our UK operations and in addition to the Matchbox building in Speke, we will be launching 20 gyms throughout the UK in the near future. The site was right for us because of the design of the building, the location and the imminent audience already at the site. We’re certain it’s going to be a great success and are very proud to demonstrate that an amazing gym experience using the latest equipment and classes in such outstanding architectural premises can be offered from £9.95 per month. We consider this to be our flagship site in the UK”
Managing the deal through the process was former Urban Splash associate director Lynn Haime who introduced FitforFree to the company. She has since left Urban Splash start her own property consultancy but her involvement saw the deal over the line. She added: “This is a huge vote of confidence for the Liverpool commercial market and a great addition to the Matchworks Estate”.
The Matchbox, with its glass façade is the unmissible building that sits in a prominent position on Speke Road. It was designed by Liverpool based architects Shed KM and has already won two awards; a Roses design accolade and an award from Move Commercial, taking the total awards for the Matchworks scheme to five with a RIBA Award for Architecture, a Civic Trust Award and an LADT Award 2002, Partnership Award all already presented to the scheme.
Urban Splash director Nathan Cornish added: “The FitForFree gym will be a fantastic facility for the hundreds of people already working at the site as well as the surrounding community who’ll benefit from this large, affordable facility. We see this transaction as a huge step in taking the Matchwork Estate to the next level with both quality in design and a mix of uses.”
“This is one of the biggest lettings in Liverpool this year and is a great boost in confidence in the area, especially as this is a Dutch based operation that see this part of Liverpool has great prospects and is worth investing in.”
Anyone wishing to obtain information on other units within the Matchworks estate should email the Urban Splash commercial team (as link: commercial@urbansplash.co.uk).
Matchworks also offers studio space (as link: http://ec2-63-34-210-119.eu-west-1.compute.amazonaws.com/projects/matchworks) and light industrial units (as link: http://ec2-63-34-210-119.eu-west-1.compute.amazonaws.com/projects/match-factory).
Mason Owen and CBRE acted on behalf of Urban Splash.
