(Image: Lara Swimmer/Graham Baba Architects)

(Image: Henry’s Gym)

A Capitol Hill auto row-era garage building overhauled from the bones up in a multimillion adaptive reuse project and reopened to start 2023 with hopes of attracting a major office space tenant will have a much louder, sweatier, and probably more fun future.

CHS has learned a new Henry’s Gym is coming to Boylston Ave in a project that will convert all three stories of the The Boylston Garage building into a new-era fitness facility complete with the latest workout equipment — and a bar.

“Be epic,” Henry’s says.

“Our space is awash with nightclub lighting, motivational quotes, large curated art collection and a dedication to music…all meant and designed to inspire and motivate on a scale never seen before in Seattle,” the gym says of its “social club” style.

Construction permitting began last month on the project just around the corner from E Pine on the block developer Asana Partners has slowly been building into a neighborhood core. CHS reported earlier this year on the continued slow but steady growth of low waste the Naked Grocer on the block’s E Pine corner. That venture has been part of Asana’s slow shift for the block that included pawn shop Capitol Loans moving across the street and adding a new emphasis on musical gear. The redevelopment overhauled the former Heath Printers building and home to Capitol Hill-born coworking company Office Nomads before that venture went fully virtual during the pandemic.

Henry’s will finally put The Boylston Garage overhaul into motion. CHS reported in January on the Graham Baba-designed adaptive reuse project originally marketed to new tenants with “15,000 square feet of open office space across three levels” — a 5,000-square-foot upper floor, another 5,000 at ground level, and a nearly 5,000-square-foot basement that the certificate of occupancy said could be used as a restaurant. The lease rates advertised earlier this year were in the $45 per square feet per year rate plus an “additional rent” of $14 per square foot per year range.

The new permitting work will change all of that with applications calling for an official change of use to allow the nearly 15,000 square feet of space in the building to be used as a gym.

And it will be all Henry’s. The gym concept debuted its first location earlier this year in Lower Queen Anne with high design and high performance exercise gear in a setting that looks and sounds like one of Capitol Hill’s dance clubs popping off. At the bar, canisters of protein powder and muscle mixes line the shelves amid the bottles. Henry’s says it has a full-service bar “serving fresh smoothies, pre and post workout drinks, as well as a selection of beer and wine.”

“Our bar is designed to connect our members and community – to celebrate both our successes in and outside the gym,” the pitch goes.

(Image: Henry’s Gym)

(Image: Henry’s Gym)

(Image: Henry’s Gym)

(Image: Henry’s Gym)

(Image: Henry’s Gym)

(Image: Henry’s Gym)

(Image: Henry’s Gym)

(Image: Henry’s Gym)

The new gym joins a crowded field of Capitol Hill workout options including low-tech crossfit joints, yoga studios, spin gyms, and simpler training facilities. Some of the newer, bigger name players were ate up and spit out by the pandemic. There is also Rival Fitness, a more traditional gym, already on the block where Mayor Bruce Harrell showed he is a strong mayor during a tour of the neighborhood last year.

Meanwhile, Henry’s Gym and its nightclub vibes will fit in well with another new player joining this area of Pike/Pine. CHS reported earlier this month that Massive, the multi-floor club replacing the former R Place on the southwest corner of Pine and Boylston, has celebrated a few first nights as part of a new set of Capitol Hill dance clubs.

Henry’s Gym has not announced the new location at 1617 Boylston or an opening date. Learn more at henrysgymnasium.com.

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