Gymshark to open 55,000-square-foot innovation hub

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Mar 28, 2019

Gymshark, the British sportswear brand for fitness enthusiasts, is to build a 55,000-square-foot gym and innovation hub complete with photography studios and an R&D factory near its headquarters in Birmingham.

The brand has enjoyed explosive growth since its creation in 2012, with revenues expected to reach £100 million in 2019 after sales tripled to £40.5 million in the year to 31 July 2018.

Award-winning design company Oktra has been tasked with building the new facility, which will combine Gymshark’ research and development capabilities with working out to create a campus for its 270-strong workforce.

“The new facility will include a studio for the new Gymshark fitness app, a 100-person auditorium, a R&D factory, several high tech photographic studios and a 20,000-square-foot gym. The space is designed to be a base for Gymshark’s creative teams, providing unique zones to try and test new ideas and products,” explained Sean Espinasse, lead designer at Oktra.

Gymshark founder Ben Francis added: “During our time in this industry we have had the pleasure of visiting and training at the best gyms in the world.”

“GSLC will see us combine our favourite parts of each of these gyms to create something which will serve as the ultimate home to anyone really interested in conditioning.”