The operators of gym and fitness centre Hammer House are on the expansion path, leasing a high-profile showroom and warehouse in Coburg North for its latest venue.

Fitzroys’ Ervin Niyaz negotiated the lease of 98 Gaffney Street at $170,000 per annum plus outgoings on behalf of Metohu Holdings Pty Ltd.

Hammer House committed to a long-term 10-year lease with a five-year option.

The 730sqm corner building is an immaculately presented open-plan showroom with rear warehouse, office, and amenities, with a rear loading bay and roller door access, and six on-site car parks. It offers immense exposure to busy Gaffney Street with a commanding frontage of 73 metres, and is immediately opposite the Lincoln Mills Homemaker Centre, which includes national tenants Bunnings, Officeworks, Autobarn, Petbarn, BCF and more.

“Hammer House has enjoyed a rise in membership numbers recently and was drawn to the high-profile corner site and large car park from the homemaker centre next door,” Niyaz said.

This will be the largest Hammer House-branded centre following locations in Cheltenham and a 24/7 operation nearby Brunswick. The owners also operate Re-Creation gyms in suburbs including Hampton, Brighton East, Essendon and Sorrento, as well as a Train-Rec gym in Hampton.

“There’s been a clear uptick in demand from service retailer and gym and fitness tenants in the COVID-normal environment. We’ve seen people returning to their gyms and getting back into their fitness routine after two years interrupted by lockdowns,” Niyaz said.

“Fitness tenants were prominent in the enquiry for this one, jostling with showroom and retail businesses who were all looking to be in an easily accessible, high-exposure site next to a homemaker centre with major national tenants,” Niyaz said.

“Large-format centres have been among the most active retail destinations over the past two years.”