Per a recent permit filing, an existing space at The Telephone Factory Lofts will be remodeled into a new fitness concept. Called The Union, renovation of the 10,000-square-foot space includes new partitions and the addition of a new mezzanine.
Ty McMath, owner of The Union, is known for invigorating the apartment industry by bringing fitness and wellness to multifamily communities when he founded Torch Fitness in Atlanta.
In June 2018, the company was acquired by Valet Living and now offers classes and other custom fitness amenities to more than 175 communities, in more than 25 markets. Some of the programs offered by Torch Fitness include aerobics, cycling/spin clubs, Pilates, yoga and Zumba.
The forthcoming Union concept will be independent of Torch Fitness and Valet Living.
“What we’re creating is a social hub built around wellness,” McMath told What Now Atlanta. “The goal is to have a place where other fitness entrepreneurs can come and grow. In a city like Atlanta, fitness entrepreneurs don’t have a lot of places to connect.
“So, from a fitness professional standpoint, we want these entrepreneurs to feel like they’re being taken care of. We want to give them everything they need to build a business and be successful. It’s going to be a place where people can unite,” he shared. “In the old gym models, you enter into a membership but you can still feel a little isolated. When I think about The Union, we’re together with you on the journey. We’re more than a fitness center.”
McMath is planning for his “social hub” to include a podcast room, office space, and digital space. It will also offer a daily, weekly, and monthly membership-based fitness center that will feature a yoga room and gym equipment. A tentative opening date is set for January 2022.
McMath chose the Lofts to house his new concept because he felt like the BeltLine would be an amazing spot.
“If you’re a fitness professional, a lot of the time you can’t afford to be right in the city, so some of Atlanta’s best talent is working outside of the city,” he explained. “When it comes to a client or member getting the best, it’s hard to find them in the city because they’re being priced out. Our goal is to offer clients a true option for their fitness journey.”
The Union will be open to the public and not just limited to residents of the Lofts, but, of course, they will be able to take advantage of it.
When all is said and done, it will be one of the biggest gym spaces on the BeltLine. “We’re hoping it’ll be the next great fitness space in Atlanta,” McMath said.
Located along the BeltLine trail in the Poncey-Highland neighborhood, The Telephone Factory Lofts building was built in 1938 and was home to a Western Electric Telephone Factory. It wasn’t until 1995 that developers Rhodes and David Perdue applied to convert the building to lofts. It is still listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Western Electric Company Building.
The amenities featured at the Lofts are many: original factory windows, an outdoor patio, a lounge, and an existing fitness space of which McMath’s Union concept will expand on.
Note: This article has been updated since its original publication to include comment from the owner.
2 Responses
Actually, there is a well established gym in the Telephone Lofts that has occupied the space for the last 6 years and has been in Atlanta for 10 years. In order for the Union to open, the small gym is being kicked out to make way for Ty McMaths gym conglomerate.
Like one person already commented- Did you do any research before you wrote this?!?! I’ve been going to the gym already there for YEARS!!!!! This is infuriating and needs to be corrected.