Real Estate Weekly March 12, 2008 Aragon whips 5,700 s/f fitness center into shape

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Aragon Construction recently completed a 5,700 s/f build-out for a boutique fitness center
at Stuyvesant Town, located at 520 East 20th Street in Manhattan. Aragon had just six weeks
to demolish the old space, previously inhabited by D’Agostino supermarket, to build out the
new showpiece for the fitness center, which opened exclusively to residents of Peter Cooper
Village and Stuyvesant Town. Working together with S.M. Berger Architecture P.C., and
interior architecture design firm Centra/Ruddy, Inc., Aragon delivered a new fitness center
consisting of a main exercise floor with weights and machines – along with aerobics and
yoga rooms, a relaxation lounge and locker rooms with shower facilities for men and woman.
The new 14-foot, floor to ceiling elegant storefront offers phenomenal views of Peter Cooper’s
Skyline.

“This project was challenging in that it had to be finished within extreme time constraints,”
says Aragon’s Joseph Lopardo, account executive on the project. “That said, in just six weeks,
we completed a state-of-the-art fitness center, with a complete new infrastructure and sleek finishes.”
The new space features imported tile made by Artistic Tile Consisting of medium-sized riverstone
pebbles in a clear resin. A 400 s/f custom stained maple wall and high-end millwork areas from the
more “private” areas including a lounge, locker rooms and a reception area. Wood flooring was
installed in the aerobic and yoga spaces, while the cardio area consists mostly of “fitness flooring,”
a high-density rubber that provides a softer surface for exercise. The neutral color palette of the space
is accented with crimson columns and mirrors covering most of the wall space.

The fitness center joins dozens of other facilities in New York City managed by American Leisure-
a team of professionals that provides consulting, design, marketing and operations for lifestyle facilities,
spas and fitness centers. This center is the newest addition to the complex which currently boasts seven playgrounds, eight recreation areas, an 80-acre park, and activities and facilities year-round for tenants including out-door concerts and summer movies, concierge and shuttle services to various Manhattan locations and 24-hour on-site security. In 2006, Tishman Speyer purchased the property from MetLife for $5.4 billion dollars and was the biggest deal for a single American property in modern times.

“Aragon was delighted when asked to be part of this project,” says Alex Getelman, president and
founder of Aragon Construction. “This fitness center is a great facility for residents.”