NEW YORK CITY-In what will be its 20th Manhattan location, upscale fitness chain Equinox will open a 35,000-square-foot facility at Brookfield Office Properties' redesigned Brookfield Place. The eight-million-square-foot, four-building office and retail complex, formerly known as the World Financial Center, is undergoing a $250-million renovation, scheduled for completion in 2014.

The waterfront Equinox will join a retail mix at Brookfield Place that already includes blue-chip names such as Hermes, Burberry, Calypso St. Barth and Michael Kors. There will also be a collection of restaurants and a 25,000-square-foot European-style marketplace, to be operated by Peter Poulakakos.

“Equinox, voted best gym in America by Fitness Magazine, complements the unique retail and dining experience at Brookfield Place,” says Ed Hogan, Brookfield's national director of retail leasing. “Brookfield Place will be the heart of the newest shopping neighborhood in Downtown Manhattan. We are delighted to welcome a world-class fitness center that will attract downtown's affluent residents and office workers.”

While putting themselves through their paces, Equinox members will have park, river and sunset views from the club's fitness floor. The reception area will feature a juice bar with an assortment of cold-pressed juices and healthy food options, and a retail shop offering luxury activewear. 

Equinox negotiated its long-term lease at 225 Liberty St. directly with Brookfield, with John Mears, Equinox's director of real estate, representing the tenant in-house. Brookfield was represented by Hogan and the McDevitt Co. Lease terms were not disclosed.

The fitness chain, which currently operates 25 locations in the New York metropolitan area, has a Financial District presence at 14 Wall St. It also operates clubs in Northern and Southern California; Chicago; Washington, DC; Dallas; Toronto; and London.