The Castro's fitness fad continues to flex its muscle with a new pilates-inspired studio headed for a long-vacant storefront.

Last week, the San Francisco Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit for boutique fitness studio [solidcore] at 2175 Market St.

The triangular-shaped space has sat unfilled since the six-story mixed-use apartment building opened in 2015.

Hoodline broke the news about the new fitness studio last summer.

[solidcore] was approved to open at 2175 Market St. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline

 

The Washington D.C.-based company was founded in 2013 by Anne Mahlum.

[solidcore] was required to obtain a conditional use permit to operate in the Castro because it currently has 109 studios in operation and city law considers any business with more than 11 locations to be formula retail.

However, [solidcore]'s permit was quickly approved without discussion on the Planning Commission's consent calendar. [solidcore] received letters of support from the Eureka Valley Neighborhood Association (EVNA), Castro Merchants, Duboce Triangle Neighborhood Association (DTNA), Castro LGBTQ Cultural District, and Castro/Upper Market Community Benefit District (Castro CBD). No letters of opposition were submitted ahead of the hearing.

"[solidcore] is thrilled to be coming to the Bay Area later this year,” says Heidi Blesy, [solidcore] Vice President of Real Estate. “We’re excited to be able to introduce locals with an escape under the blue lights.”

Photo courtesy of [solidcore]

 

According to its website, [solidcore] offers fitness enthusiasts a "50-minute full-body, high-intensity, low impact, resistance training workout using slow and purposeful movements targeting the core, lower & upper body."

Last year Mahlum sold her share in the company to New York-based private equity firm Kohlberg & Company for an undisclosed amount. San Francisco-based private equity firm VMG Partners is also a minority shareholder.

[solidcore] announced an aggressive expansion plan to open 25 studios in 2023 and 250 studios globally in the next three to five years. [solidcore]'s Castro location would be its first in San Francisco and the Bay Area. Solidcore currently has six locations in Los Angeles and one planned for San Jose.

Rendering of [solidcore]'s Castro studio. | Image: Martinkovic Milford Architects

 

"[solidcore] was drawn to Castro due to its diverse and active population as well as its rich LGBTQIA community history and culture," [solidcore]'s VP of studio development Heidi Blesy previously told Hoodline. "In learning from the success of our Southern California studios, opening a studio in Northern California – specifically in iconic neighborhoods of San Francisco – was a must."

Blesy tells Hoodline that [solidcore] plans to open its Castro studio in Fall 2024.

The Castro currently has two locally-owned pilates studios, Bright Star Pilates and Core MVMT, along with a plethora of fitness studios and gyms in the area including Live Fit Gym, Flagship CrossFit, Corepower Yoga, Barry's Bootcamp, MX3 Fitness, Fitness SF, Alex Fitness, and SoulCycle.