by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
When Gold’s Gym Downtown opened almost two years ago, one of the first things members and guests noticed was the panoramic view of the office buildings in the urban core that was part of the decor in the weight room. The health club has just traded that view for a view of some other Downtown buildings — those on the Southbank across the St. Johns River from the Landing.
Gold’s Gym moved Monday into the space formerly occupied by Mongo’s Flat Hot Grill on the second floor of the Landing adjacent to the Hogan Street cul-de-sac and the Times-Union Center.
Owner Jay Kaplan said the move made sense for more than one reason.
“Everybody in Jacksonville knows about the Landing and it’s the most central location Downtown,” he said. “And now Jacksonville has the only riverfront Gold’s Gym in America and in addition to the Gold’s in Cairo, Egypt on the Nile River, only the second one in the world.”
Kaplan pointed out it’s also Jacksonville’s only riverfront health club that is open to the public and the one with the most indoor-outdoor elements.
“The riverfront condominiums have health clubs with a view of the Downtown skyline, but they are for residents only. Being here at the Landing, we can offer classes on the deck overlooking the river and in the courtyard. Just go downstairs and you’ve got the best jogging and running track in town — the Riverwalk. We’re also planning yoga classes in the Hogan Street gazebo,” he said.
There were also a couple of financial management reasons for the move.
“We were feeling the economy like every other business,” said Kaplan. “Every day, members were walking into the gym and telling us their companies were downsizing or relocating and they wouldn’t be working Downtown anymore. We had the option to close and leave but I didn’t want to do that. I know there is a market for a health club Downtown.”
The club on Forsyth Street occupied about 20,000 square feet on two floors, while the Landing location is more compact at about 5,000 square feet. The former restaurant space lent itself well to conversion into a health club, added Kaplan.
“We put the lockers and private shower and changing rooms where the kitchen used to be and the weights, treadmills and ellipticals are in the old dining room. The restrooms are huge compared to most other health clubs,” he said.
In addition to the view, parking also came into play in the decision to make the move, Kaplan said. Unlike the City’s parking meters along Forsyth Street near the previous location, the Landing is offering free parking for Gold’s Gym members.
“Just bring us the ticket and we’ll validate it for you,” he added.
Rachel Nudge, public relations director at the Landing, said she thinks the relocation of Gold’s Gym will prove to be an advantage for the entertainment and shopping center as well.
“It’s not a restaurant or a bar or retail store. Gold’s Gym is unique,” said Nudge. “It will certainly add a level of activity to an end of the mall that has been somewhat slow. We think it will attract new people to the Landing and serve our other merchants well. It’s also a great thing to have a national and international brand move into that space.”
Kaplan is confident the location, the view and the low membership rates will be a hit with current members and new ones, too.
“Anybody can join Gold’s Gym at the Landing for $17.50 a month. The million-dollar view is included,” he said.
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