BOSTON, MA-The Boston Sports Clubs has signed a 15-year lease at the Newbry with 501 Boylston Street Properties, LLC, an affiliate of Beacon Capital Partners. BSC plans to create a new health club with the space, scheduled to open by the third quarter of 2005.

"After spending years looking for a flagship location in Back Bay, the combination of the Newbry's great location and the strong ownership proved to be the perfect fit for Boston Sports Club," says Bob Fitzgerald, executive vice president/principal of NAI Hunneman and leasing agent for Boston BSC.

The fitness club would appear to be an ideal fit, given the demographics of the area. The high concentration of office workers and young professional residents in the neighborhood comprise the target market sought by BSC. The new health club will include an indoor lap pool, the latest exercise equipment available and a large array of exercise programs.

Constructed in 1941 and located in Back Bay, the Newbry is a 10-story 575,000-sf mixed-use facility. The building was renovated using a design by Elkus/Manfredi, with 150,000 sf devoted to retail and eight floors of office space totaling 470,000 sf. The retail portion of the property features a new arrangement of one- and two-story shops with new storefronts and landscaping. The Newbry plans to market the space to high-end boutiques, national luxury brands and one-of-a-kind local retailers.

The office portion of the Newbry is currently fully leased by MetLife, Pearson Education and Ernst & Young. Ernst & Young's 120,000-sf lease expires in the fall of 2005 and is currently listed as available. The retail portion has 110,000 sf available for lease on the first and second floor.

Stephen D. Lynch, principal of CBRE/Lynch Murphy Walsh Advisors and Andy LaGrega, senior vice president of the Wilder Cos., represented Beacon Capital Partners LLC in the transaction. Fitzgerald represented BSC.