The Norwegian fitness operator Nr1 Fitness in opening its first location on the Romanian market, in the mixed-use project Rotar Park Residence, located in the west of Bucharest. The new fitness center marks a double premiere on the local market, being the first with a non-stop open program. CBRE real estate market consultant advised the Norwegian fitness operator on entering the local market.
Nr1 Fitness first location, with a surface of 400 square metres, will be open in the first quarter of 2020 in Rotar Park Residence, a residential project located in the Militari area, at 200 meters distance to Păcii metro station. Rotar Park Residence is developed on a total surface of 32,815 square meters and is divided between residential area, with 1,280 apartments, 350 square meters of office spaces and commercial space of 3,200 square meters, having a total of approximately 3,000 inhabitants.
„The retail component is becoming more and more important for residential and office projects as it brings a high added value for the community when is planned from the beginning. Rotar Park Residence is a successful project that demonstrate this theory, as we leased already 70% of the retail spaces”, stated Cristina Toros, Senior Consultant, Advisory & Transaction, Retail, CBRE Romania. “The new entry of Nr1 Fitness is an important sign of confidence for the Romanian retail market and we are happy to be part of their extension, after ten successful years in Norway and another three years in Hungary. The demand for professional fitness services is increasing in Romania and the proximity to the residential projects is very important, especially for a new concept, as Nr1 Fitness”, added Cristina Toros.
Nr1 Fitness has a unique concept wanting to break boundaries that regular people usually experience when it comes to going to the gym. To do this, the fitness center is open 24 hours a day, keeps its prices lower than average and has a simple electronic online sign up system.
„Our goal it to be the friendliest gym in Bucharest. We eliminate the barriers to fitness by:
being open 24/7, having low prices and including advertisement that makes also beginners feel comfortable by not focusing on sexy bodies. We have simple sign up process online and only accept card payments for our memberships”, explained Henrik Sundt Thorsnes, Co-Owner and Managing Director, Nr. 1 Fitness.
Nr1 Fitness has 32 fitness centers in Norway, two fitness centers in Hungary and two in progress of opening. Its members are 55% female and 45% male, most of them with ages between 21- -25 years old (31%) and 26-30 years old (36%).
Rotar Park Residence is located in one of the largest district in Bucharest, having main neighbourhoods such as Militari, Drumul Taberei, Ghencea, Giulesti and Crangasi. The project benefits of an easy access via the main boulevard Iuliu Maniu, which connects the city center with the western part of Bucharest.