Speaking at the launch this week Branson said that he is investing in the health club business in honour of South African former president, Nelson Mandela's plea to save SA health clubs which he warmly calls Madiba. "Nelson Mandela called years ago asking me to save SA clubs and you know when Madiba calls you jump into the next plane," says the British business mastermind.
The 108th Virgin Active health club to be opened by Virgin Active South Africa (VASA) is designed for a discerning market. It occupies a prime location in Sandton - the financial and premier business hub of Gauteng where companies such as Discovery Health, Nedbank, Investec and RMB have established their head offices and adjacent Sandton City offers a premier retail experience.
The Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, Virgin Active South Africa Managing Director Ross Faragher-Thomas and SA star swimmer Chad le Clos in a his father's company were there too to see how this multi-million project was progressing. "With Alice Lane we have literally brought the health club to the target market. "This is a considerable commitment to what we believe the R150 million project will set a new standard in health clubs in South Africa," says Virgin Active South Africa Managing Director Ross Faragher-Thomas.
Virgin Active clubs are considered third spaces after work and home members needs will be met on a physical level through personal training and dietary preferences in the club. "The new gym will include a wellness suite with doctors, dietecians and physiotherapists, a state-of-the-art café, a 6 Star spa and will also provide transportation around Sandton", says Faragher-Thomas.
Faragher-Thomas stresses that "the focus is on the life of mobile executives, which means the club is designed to offer a work space away from work, with networking and conference areas and breakaway rooms. "For those executives who subscribe to the concept of 'blue sky thinking' in their companies." He boasts that "Virgin Active has taken a literal step up and designed a lift that takes members to a rooftop training area.
"Here they will be elevated physically and psychologically and will be able to enjoy a 'high fliers' view of the Sandton skyline. "It will also provide a safe outdoor space to train – a rare commodity in Gauteng. Faragher-Thomas concluded by saying that "although the facility will accommodate up 9 000 members, membership will be capped at 4 000 to ensure exclusivity."
