Nicholas Street: New 24-hour gym in Ipswich CBD part of $250M redevelopment

The $250 million redevelopment of the Ipswich CBD is starting to take shape with retailers being locked in ahead of imminent openings. Here’s all the details.

Plans for a 24-hour gym have been formally submitted as part of Ipswich City Council’s $250 million redevelopment of the CBD.

It was revealed last month that the first retail tenant had been locked in to occupy part of the Eats building in the overhauled mall, with another two close to being agreed.

“The two deals are three different brands,” the project’s retail sub-project steering committee James Hepburn said in August.

Plans submitted for a 24-hour gym in the Ipswich CBD redevelopment.

“One is a leisure operator who has two brands. One is a large well known gym and the other is a yoga studio.”

Now the council has submitted a development application to itself on land it owns to set up a gym in the two-storey building.

“The proposal does not fetter the current approvals involving the building,” the application noted.

“No changes are proposed to the existing building other than internal fit-out works at level one to suit tenant requirements.

“The proposed gymnasium will provide an additional amenity within the central business district civic hub that can be used workers in the precinct, and will contribute to activation of the precinct both within and outside of work hours.”

Ipswich City Council is set to revamp the cinema complex in the CBD as part of the $250 million project.

The Eats section of the project is set to open in October after a refurbishment is completed.

The ground floor will be occupied by food and drink outlets.

Gym members will be able to access the 795 sqm facility 24 hours a day, seven days a week

“The tenancy fit out will include the provision of amenities for gym staff and members, the location of which is subject to detailed design,” the application noted.

There is no indication from the application who would operate the site.

Access to the gym will be via existing stairs and lift located at the northern end of the building.

The Eats building will compliment the Ipswich Central Library opened in December last year and the council’s new $125 million administration building.

Read more stories by Lachlan McIvor here.