Upmarket fitness chain Life Time is expanding into Miami's Edgewater neighbourhood. According to regulatory filings from Miami-Dade County, the operator has entered into a 20-year lease for the site at 3180 Biscayne Boulevard. The approximately 2.6-acre plot, which encompasses an entire city block, is owned by developer Crescent Heights.
The lease agreement also includes four extension options of five years each. Life Time thereby secures exclusive rights to operate pickleball courts as well as group fitness classes such as cycling, Pilates, yoga, and barre in one of the buildings. However, the developer remains permitted to fit out a separate gym of up to 4,000 square feet exclusively for future residents of the development.
Major development under the Live Local Act
The facility is expected to form part of a mixed-use scheme to be delivered under the Live Local Act. This Florida state legislation grants developers fast-track planning approvals provided that at least 40 per cent of the residential units are designated as affordable workforce housing.
In January, Miami-based developer Crescent Heights submitted plans for two high-rise towers. The scheme comprises 1,307 apartments, 1,163 parking spaces, and 98,729 square feet of commercial space. The site, which extends between Northeast 31st Street and 32nd Street, is currently occupied by low-rise commercial properties. For Crescent Heights, led by Russell Galbut, the area is familiar territory: only in 2024 did the company complete the 40-storey residential rental tower Forma in the immediate vicinity, with a Whole Foods supermarket located on the ground floor.
Growing competition in the premium fitness segment
With this new location, Life Time, based in Chanhassen, Minnesota, enters a dense local market. A few blocks to the south, a high-rise project by Oak Row Equities is nearing completion, where rival operator Equinox has already secured 31,000 square feet. In addition, fitness company Anatomy operates a 15,000-square-foot facility in the neighbourhood.
Representatives of Life Time and Crescent Heights did not initially respond to requests for comment.
