Have you heard of the RSG Group? It is the largest fitness operator and proprietor of the Gold’s Gym and John Reed Fitness Brands. The company is based in Berlin, Germany and its founder Rainer Schaller, had a vision. Schaller purchased the master franchise rights to Gold’s Gym and extended the John Reed Fitness Brand around the globe. John Reed models, John Reed media, a full ecosystem of fitness.
In March of 2021, the RSG Group opened their first gym in North America. Their corporate office would be in West Hollywood. The planned takeover of 24-hour fitness at the corner of Westbourne and Santa Monica Blvd. was in its future.
Michael Talla is the owner of the property that houses the former 24 hour fitness center and Sprouts complex. Talla is a fitness industry veteran. He founded Sports Club LA and eventually sold it to Equinox. The developer and entrepreneur also has deep roots in West Hollywood. He has owned that property for years and years, and his son still resides around the corner.
Talla’s experience and knowledge of the industry were attractive to the RSG Group, and Mike Talla was asked to serve on the Board of Directors. John Reed set up its West Coast Headquarters in West Hollywood. The concept, a social club with DJs and high-intensity training, would be an exciting upgrade and addition to WeHo. While West Hollywood is not the first John Reed Fitness location in the USA, this location is primed to be the chain’s flagship.
In October 2022, Rainer Schaller was killed in a plane crash.
Company plans slowed, and the dreams of the founder went down in the crash. Decisions were left to family members and the estate. One casualty was Marcell Von Belin as reported by WEHOville in this piece.
What we were hearing was that the family did not want to have much to do with business in the United States.
Construction at the John Reed on Santa Monica stopped, while some work orders finalized. A month ago the main water line was completed but anticipated opening dates were extended. A planned pre-Pride soft opening was tabled. Questions emerged regarding whether John Reed would open at all.
Discussions over the past few weeks have shown promise. This past week, I received news that the construction will resume in June with hopes for a September opening.
We hope to see the pre-selling of memberships before the end of summer.
I used to work for RSG at their WeHo office and can confirm that the company was a sh*t show before Rainer died and quickly turned into a full-blown three-ring circus after. Top-down, there’s zero direction with things changing constantly and money being blown on the dumbest things while keeping pay as low as possible. They laid 90% of their North American staff back in Feb of 2023 and have been operating with a skeleton crew while they try and sell the American side of the business. It’s such a shame what a mess it all turned into. Oh well…… Read more »
Went to the Santa Monica location and although it’s pretty nice and gigantic I don’t know how that particular location will survive. Pros -size -everything is new -affordable given what you get -not crowded -equipment is good not great Cons -a lot of wasted space(do we really need 4-5 Last Supper like tables in the lobby? -parking during crowded hours could get wonky -employees were not the most helpful, like at least at Equinox they fake it -while approaching entrance was approached by 4 homeless people -no towel service -the layout is like a Jinga Puzzle i’ll assume The West… Read more »
Ive developed a love/hate relationship with this project. On one hand, I’m looking forward to being able to walk to the gym again and I had a decent experience trying out the downtown John reed. It’s not bad and actually kind of fun after you ignore the obnoxious “influencers” doing stunts for content. On the other hand, I truly resent what this project has done to the neighborhood. So many businesses have closed due to the decreased foot traffic after 24 hour fitness closed. It’s just depressing to see a once thriving community deteriorate because of a flashy concept that… Read more »
West Hollywood creates culture, it doesn’t need it to be imported. Live DJs, and “art” may attract some, but West Hollywood is picky, especially about music and DJs (again, we create, not merely consume, culture). Most people prefer their own music from their own device to work out anyway, and gyms are hottest and most conducive to a workout habit when they are affordable for all and look and feel like gyms, not nightclubs. I’m keeping and open mind until I see it, but this would be a great location for a Golds.
I am still disheartened by the fact that the 24 hour fitness closed. Yes, it was a bit rundown, but at least it was affordable. Name another gym in West Hollywood that’s affordable? I’ve been going to crunch for over 20 years, and I love it, But I’m paying more than a lot of people can afford. I guess that’s just how things work, as time moves on.
I’ll be sure to let Pualo .
This is getting ridiculous…commit or not.
That’ll be a hard PASS. We don’t need all of the bells and whistles to work out, nor pay for your over the top interiors/exteriors
Actually, I’m more inclined to think they may be cutting back on all the bells and whistles from their original plan since Schaller’s passing if the estate is just not interested in it.
A more realistic point of view is that plans are submitted to city hall, there is no cutting back. If it came down to a new entity they too would be looking to make it better, not less.
Their official social media says Winter 2023/2024
I doubt they are opening in September.
Thank you for the update. Im waiting and waiting for any update so that I don’t have to renew my Crunch membership.
Finally, some explanation about what is going on at that place!