Rick Gudoian and partnership group intends to modernize facility and honor all existing memberships
Destin Health and Fitness, a 12,975 square foot club that has operated within Plantation Commons since 2008, has been sold to Rick Gudoian, a local operator that also owns and manages Froggy’s Fitness in Tavernier, as well as a fitness center in the Rhode Island area. Plantation Commons, a 126,375 square foot neighborhood shopping center located at 4495 Commons Drive West in Destin is owned by Continental Realty Corporation, a Baltimore-based real estate development and management company. The center is anchored by The Fresh Market, Marshall’s and HomeGoods.
The new ownership group signed a long-term lease extension with Continental Realty Corporation.
“I have been working out at a gym since I was fifteen years old,” explained 55-year old Rick Gudoian, who sold the automotive company that he owned for more than thirty years to Roger Penske, before entering the health and fitness industry. “I see first-hand the health benefits of leading an active lifestyle while also investing time in the gym that best suits the individual. This is my passion. Our philosophy is generating sensible results. It is important for people to look forward to visiting the gym on a regular basis and not getting burned out quickly. This occurs when people adhere to the right program.”
Gudoian and his partnership group, which include Rob and Maura Girardi, intend to honor all existing membership at Destin Health and Fitness, which includes approximately 2000 people. “This number varies between 1700 and 2500 based on the season, the inclusion of tourists and the snowbirds that only live here during the winter months. We intend to invest a significant amount of capital into the facility by adding the latest equipment. We will also invest in our staff, with the offering of boutique classes including TRX, boxing, Barre and whatever program emerges next.”
The satellite location for Destin Health and Fitness is located approximately five miles away on US Highway 98.Gudoian indicates that he will target businesses looking for employee-based fitness programs, but will focus primarily on attracting individual memberships.
“I have seen the growth of fitness centers in several different communities, and also understand the level of competition that exists,” Gudoian stated. “My experience running several different operations will be the difference maker at Destin Health and Fitness. Existing and new members will notice new energy and passion. I love Destin. It has among the best beaches in the world, as well as a strong military presence. We have everything here that we need to succeed.”
Plantation Commons, constructed in 2007, is located at the intersection of Commons Drive and Kelly Plantation Drive, just off Emerald Coast Parkway, the major thoroughfare in Destin. It is within close proximity to Kelly Plantation, a 900-acre residential community that contains waterfront golf estates, luxury condominiums and single-family homes. The average annual household income within three miles exceeds $104,000 and the immediate area receives more than 4.6 million tourists annually.
“Rick, Rob and Maura have tremendous experience and represent the perfect team to assume operations at Destin Health and Fitness,” stated David Donato, Senior Vice President of Continental Realty’s Commercial Division. “A strong membership was built by the previous ownership group, and this tenant is a significant traffic generator for the center. We are extremely confident that the facility will improve and that membership will continue to expand.”
Continental Realty Corporation, headquartered in Baltimore and founded in 1960, is a full-service commercial real estate investment and management company. The privately-owned firm owns and manages a diversified portfolio of retail centers consisting of more than three million square feet of space, as well as almost 10,000 apartment homes. Positioned throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions, the value of the portfolio exceeds $1.5 billion. For additional information, visit www.crcrealty.com
