VIDA Gets Zoning OK for U Street Flagship

VIDA Fitness received the okay today to build its "flagship" gym and spa on U Street. VIDA's owner will renovate the near century-old building at 1612 U Street and add an 8,500 s.f. extension glass extension to accommodate the new gym.


VIDA owner David von Storch, who also owns Bang Salon, Aura Spa and Capitol City Brewing Company, has long sought to replace his tenants in the building to create the 4th VIDA in the area. All the better that the current tenant is Results Gym, a competitor that has reached the end of its lease. The new gym will easily out-muscle the current occupant, as well as existing VIDAs, with a 51,500-s.f., 4-story gym boasting "a private rooftop club with a 60-foot pool, resort cabanas, communal fire pit, outdoor waterfall, sundeck and a member lounge with restaurant service," substantially beating out the 29,000 s.f. Verizon Center location.

The newest gym will also be the first to integrate all four of von Storch's entities at one site, with a new, still unnamed restaurant, operated by Capitol City Brewing Company, taking over the first-floor restaurant space. Architectural design by - you might guess this one - Stoneking-von Storch Architects, which also designed the interior of the other 3 locations. CORE architecture + design designed the addition and rooftop pool facility.

Today's 1pm hearing before the Board of Zoning Adjustment means von Storch can get pumped up for a March 2011 opening, and puts him on track to open what he hopes will be 8 stores by 2015.