New York Sports Club To Take Over David Barton Gym Space

EAST VILLAGE, NY — The empty gym that used to house David Barton's trendy workout space will be replaced by an "elite" club from the New York Sports Club chain. For more news from the East Village, sign up for Patch news alerts here.

Town Sports International, which operates the New York Sports Club chain, announced Thursday that the company would be taking over the empty gym at 4 Astor Place, which until last year housed the nightclub-themed exercise studios of the David Barton Gym chain. David Barton's four New York City locations closed abruptly last year, leaving their doors locked and their customers confused when they showed up one December day to workout.

The space at 4 Astor Place will remain a gym, and Town Sports International is partly keeping the David Barton tradition alive by creating an "elite" club in the space. The club will also keep many of its predecessor's innovative design choices and accents, according to a statement from Town Sports.

"David Barton Gym was an iconic neighborhood destination for almost a decade, known for its unique blend of fitness, nightlife and culture," said Patrick Walsh, the company's CEO, in a statement. "We're honored to carry on that commitment to the neighborhood community and are focused on maintaining a chic, inviting atmosphere that is a destination for far more than just a workout."

The space at 4 Astor Place will be one of New York Sports Clubs' first "elite" locations, and it will have "a higher level of service, amenities, programming and partnerships" according to the company. The new gym will have new and updated equipment and amenities, as well as Rogue rigs, Woodway treadmills and lifting platforms, the company said.

The parent company behind the trendy David Barton chain abruptly changed the locks on all of their New York City locations last year. Gym goers showed up to workout on Dec. 21 to find the doors sealed and signs announcing the clubs' closure. New York attorney general Eric Schneiderman is suing the gyms' parent company, Club Ventures Investments, alleging that the gym failed to return thousands of dollars to their customers when it closed with no advance notice. One David Barton customer paid more than $15,000 in advance for gym fees and training sessions, according to Schneiderman's office. Club Ventures Investments also closed locations in Boston, Miami, Chicago, and Bellevue, and later filed for bankruptcy.

The location at 4 Astor Place was one of four throughout New York City. There's no word yet on what will replace the other locations.

Lead image via Ciara McCarthy/Patch.