Planet Fitness is opening a new gym in downtown New Orleans, taking over a massive, vacant space in the Central Business District, the company said Wednesday in a news release.
The gym will bring weights, treadmills and its iconic yellow and purple branding to the South Market neighborhood, opening on Girod Street next to a block of mixed use buildings that house apartments, restaurants, boutiques and more.
A Rouses Market is across the street, and CVS Pharmacy will be the gym's neighbor.
The building has been empty since Dec. 2023, when Arhaus Furniture moved from downtown to Lakeside Mall in Metairie.
Planet Fitness is known for being open 24 hours and having affordable membership options that could include personal training, massage chairs and tanning.
Near the Superdome, South Market is home to popular restaurants including Willa Jean, Morrow Steak, Tacos Del Cartel, Dahla, District All-Day, The Daily Beet and Maypop. There's also Brewery St. X, salons, boutique gyms and doctor's offices, and the area often sees heavy foot traffic on weekends and during Saints games.
The area has also lost a few notable businesses over the last few years, including Tava Indian restaurant and Blaze Pizza.
This will be the 15th Planet Fitness in the New Orleans metro, the company said in a press release, and it will open in late 2025.