By Joshua Burd
Planet Fitness is expanding in central New Jersey with newly signed leases in Watchung and Middlesex Borough, in a set of deals arranged by Levin Management Corp.
In the larger transaction, the operator committed to 21,850 square feet at the historic Blue Star Shopping Center at 1701 Route 22. The deal comes amid a major redevelopment of the nearly 420,000-square-foot property, which Levin is managing, as the leasing team also markets availabilities from 1,200 to 50,000 square feet.
E.J. Moawad, a senior leasing representative with the firm, represented ownership in the deal with Planet Fitness. Jack Chera of RIPCO Real Estate represented the tenant.
In Middlesex Borough, the New Hampshire-based franchise has taken 15,500 square feet at Middlesex Corner at Route 28 and Bound Brook Road, according to a news release. The fitness chain will fill half of a freestanding building formerly occupied by an ACME supermarket, with LMC Leasing Representative Ed Vasconcellos III and Raymond Villafana of Franchise Realty representing the landlord and tenant, respectively.
Both new locations will be franchisee-owned by the same experienced operator behind dozens of Planet Fitness gyms in New Jersey and other markets, the news release said. LMC, meantime, noted that Planet Fitness is one of the largest and fastest-growing operators of fitness centers in the world by number of members and locations, helping to fuel leasing activity for retail properties as landlords look for tenants that draw foot traffic.
“The last several years have seen an influx of boutique and affordable fitness concept leasing at LMC properties and nationwide,” said Sidney Singer, the firm’s vice president of leasing. “Chains like Planet Fitness — those that provide an affordable, high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment — have proven particularly successful at engaging consumers.
