Harbour Island Athletic Club, long eyed for redevelopment, is closing
By Ashley Gurbal Kritzer
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Jan 20, 2023

Harbour Island Athletic Club has informed its members it will close — just days after its landlord filed a lawsuit alleging it is more than $1 million behind in rent.

The closure potentially frees up nearly 6.5 acres for redevelopment in one of Tampa's most affluent urban neighborhoods. The athletic club has long been watched as a potential redevelopment site and has recently been in the spotlight as Harbour Island residents vehemently opposed the development of a boutique hotel nearby.

The gym, which is managed by Colorado-based Wellbridge Club Management, on Thursday notified members it will close permanently. The letter to members said that the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the club's profitability.

"Unfortunately, the landlord has now decided to take the property back," the club said.

A voicemail message at the club on Friday morning said the gym was closed, though its typical business hours are 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. The club did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment Friday.

The gym's landlord, SNH Well Properties Trust, on Wednesday filed a lawsuit in Hillsborough County Circuit Court seeking damages. The gym, SNH alleges, owes just under $1.3 million in back rent as well as attorneys' fees and legal costs.

The gym was served with a final notice of monetary default on Nov. 4, demanding that the gym pay the back rent or turn over its property, SNH alleges in the lawsuit.