The Legacy Companies partners with Edge Fitness Club to support regional expansion program

The Edge Fitness Club

The Edge Fitness Club

The Edge Fitness Club

Stratford, CT The Legacy Companies recently completed construction of The Edge Fitness Club at The Dock Shopping Center. Over the past 16 months, Legacy and Edge have collaborated for the expansion and new construction of five health and fitness clubs throughout Connecticut. This program strengthens Edge’s in-state presence, with a total of 13 strategically located facilities currently in operation, and more on the horizon.

The Stratford site, designed by fitness industry architect Fabiano Design International, had its share of challenges to overcome as it involved the stark transformation of a plaza that once housed a Staples and Citibank branch into a boldly-branded, premier 38,000 s/f club boasting sought-after amenities including a two-level cardio cinema theater, hi-tech spinning room, and cardio workout deck poised atop a curved mezzanine with expansive storefront windows offering members dramatic views of Long Island Sound.

In supporting Edge’s aggressive expansion work, Legacy engaged trusted design partner Phase Zero Design to work in harmony with Fabiano Design International to renovate additional sites in Danbury and Manchester and to expand an existing club location in Derby. Together, the team brought the perfect blend of creativity, collaboration, and niche experience to provide the guidance and vision that helps Edge founder Vin Sansone deliver on his promise of a one-of-a-kind fitness experience for customers.

The Edge Fitness Club

“The team was charged with conveying an upscale feel while remaining within budget constraints. Edge’s impressionable and exciting vision was brought to life by incorporating boundary-pushing design elements. The challenge at each of these locations was to marry current branding with memorable design elements from existing locations, while introducing new and modern elements to create a state-of-art gym,” said Phase Zero Design principal Matt Wittmer.

In addition to the Stratford, Danbury, Manchester and Derby sites, Legacy recently completed construction of a new 44,000 s/f club in Orange that is home to Edge’s 8,000 s/f corporate office.

The majority of Edge’s clubs are located within existing shopping centers and complexes. Working in close partnership with Legacy, they have achieved a strong track record of improving the overall value and curb appeal of the retail sites upon which they’ve chosen to build. “It’s rewarding to inject new life into vacant properties, taking them from a state of disrepair and creating vibrant, state-of-the-art facilities for the tenant and valuable assets for the landlord,” said Legacy president and founder Don Riccio.

“Legacy and Edge turned this space into a vibrant, first-class health club which has increased foot traffic and improved the value of this uniquely located center. It’s a pleasure to see a packed parking lot,” said Willing Biddle, president of Urstadt Biddle Properties, Inc., landlord for The Dock Shopping Center.

The Edge Fitness Club

Legacy is currently working with the landlord to obtain approvals for Edge’s next location in Glastonbury – a ground-up, build-to-suit facility in one of the state’s most desirable communities.

Edge, a company that has been in business for over 25 years, was recently purchased by Minneapolis-based financial sponsor, Norwest Equity Partners. They are poised for major expansion over the course of the next five years, actively considering all growth opportunities.

Looking ahead, Legacy will continue to support Edge’s growth plans by offering its full suite of services, to include site analysis and construction budgets for exclusive brokers, Atlantic Retail (north of Connecticut) and Metro Commercial (south of Connecticut).

Sansone said, “As we have grown, Legacy has grown with us, they are a confidant and partner who plays an instrumental role not only in our continued expansion, but in developing the industry-leading prototype clubs we are building today.”