- By Lisa Brody
Equinox coming to former BMW dealership
Equinox Health Center Club of New York City will be renovating and taking over the former site of Erhard BMW Bloomfield on Maple just east of Telegraph in Bloomfield Township, making it the first Equinox location in Michigan. In a special land use/site plan application to the township, the company, which operates 85 full-service clubs throughout the United States, Canada and UK, stated, “Equinox is the leading operator of upscale, full service health clubs offering fully integrated fitness, spa and retail services in a multi-site format. Equinox has a disciplined and thoughtful approach to growth that has led to its success and strong track record, having never closed a location in its over 25 years of trade.” The Bloomfield Township site, at 4065 W. Maple Road, will occupy approximately 37,298 square feet of the 47,000 square feet of the existing building, which will have the exterior renovated, with a repaved parking lot, and new landscaping and lighting. The interior will be completely rebuilt to Equinox standards. An Equinox representative noted the building is especially ideal for renovation because it has no interior columns as decades ago it was Strike ‘N Spare bowling alley. The proposed fitness club will be completed to have open fitness and exercise areas for cardio, strength and stretching; fitness studios; lounge and relaxation areas; a lap swimming pool; a retail area and cafe selling related sportswear, accessories, snacks and drinks; and ancillary spaces such as locker rooms, showers, spa treatment rooms and laundry. It will be open daily. “Equinox is an experience, where the science of fitness meets the art of living. In everything we do, we create the possibility for people to maximize their potential within themselves,” the company said in their statement. “Membership at Equinox will be extended to any individual seeking an elevated fitness experience in a high energy, healthy and upscale environment. It is envisaged that the club will appeal to the professional office workers and residents in the immediate area with the aim of attracting a balanced split between men and women.”