(Photo credit: Don Bowers)
Come January 8, meatpacking-district regulars will be able to tune up for an evening of cocktails with a workout. The two-story, 7,000-square-foot Aerospace High Performance Center (332 W. 13th St., nr. Hudson St.; 212-929-1640) has a full-circuit boxing ring with equipment, open space for personalized cardio and muscle-sculpting programs, an audio-video area, and rooms for massages and reflexology. The center is the brainchild of former champion boxer Michael “the Silk” Olajide and Leila Fazel (who created Ian Schrager’s Agua spas), and workouts reflect Olajide’s training: The Aerobox session is 30 to 60 minutes of jump rope, push-ups, jabs, and squats ($500 membership, with a $150 monthly fee).
Yet another home-furnishing store opened last week: Minneapolis-based chain Room & Board (105 Wooster St., nr. Prince St.; 212-334-4343) squeezes into the tiny market space between Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel with simple, modern, relatively affordable designs. The 38 different sofas range from $699 to $3,200, and there’s a sprinkling of Herman Miller and Noguchi in the catalogue.
Other noteworthy openings: A second Manhattan Home Depot has opened in the basement of the Bloomberg office building (980 Third Ave., at 59th St.; 212-888-1512). Since there’s no loading dock, architect Navid Maqami designed a huge elevator to transport trucks to street level. And SCO (Skin Care Options) has expanded to Soho (584 Broadway, nr. Prince St., 5th fl.; 212-966-3011). Along with the customized products, this location includes a spa for waxes, massages, and facials (microdermabrasion is $195).