WEST LOOP — Brooklyn Boulders, an indoor rock climbing facility in the West Loop, will open exclusively to members starting next week.
The north end of the 25,000-square-foot building at 100 S. Morgan St. is nearly complete, said Veronica Dale, Brooklyn Boulders executive project manager. Even before opening, Brooklyn Boulders Chicago has received "a ton of interest" in memberships, she said.
Members will have first access to the climbing facility when it opens. An exact opening date has not yet been announced, Dale said.
Stephanie Lulay says that membership isn't cheap, but managers say the price includes more than climbing walls:
The south end of the building, which features massive climbing walls in an area with a 55-foot ceiling, is still under construction. Dale said the group hoped to open the business to the public in November, and for the south walls to be completed by December.
Hard-hat tours for prospective Brooklyn Boulders members are ongoing. Until Sept. 28, three-month memberships for students are $165; adult three-month memberships are $195; and an annual membership is $625, Dale said. Membership prices will continue to increase until standard membership prices — $327 for three months and $925 for a full year — kick in December.
In addition to two completed climbing walls, the north end of the building will feature cardio machines, weight machines, free weights, a DJ station, party room, conference room and space for group fitness classes. Group classes will include yoga and Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art.
The climbing facility will also function as an “active collaborative workspace,” that incorporates pull-up bars, stability balls and other gear to keep people moving, Dale said.
“We believe physicality stimulates innovation and creativity,” she said Wednesday at the West Loop spot. “We want people to be able to send a couple of emails and then take a break on the climbing wall or in a yoga class.”
Jesse Levin, co-founder of the Chicago location, said the space would be a true “community and innovation center.” The facility will host parties, entrepreneurial sessions and other community activities.
“Climbing is just one of the things we do,” he said earlier this year.
Brooklyn Boulders in the West Loop is the company's third location, and its first in the Midwest. The concept was founded in New York in 2009 and the group opened a second location in Boston in 2013.
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