Pilates Plus Opens its doors in the Eastern Columbia

By Jeannine Denholm
Published: Thursday, May 15, 2008, at 02:44PM

Eric Richardson

Pilates Plus Downtown L.A. is located in the retail space on the Eastern Columbia garage.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Downtown's first pilates studio featuring machines quietly opened last week in the Eastern Columbia building. The studio space is sleek and modern, with a bit of an industrial edge. The combination makes it the perfect place for Pilates Plus Downtown L.A.'s bootcamp style program.

The Pilates Plus chain has locations throughout L.A., with affiliates in Palm Springs, Dublin and London.

All ten machines at the new Downtown location face an enormous floor to ceiling mirror. It reflects the Orpheum theatre and Broadway Bar across the street, giving the space a distinct urban vibe like no other LA studio.

Pilates Plus is not only catering to loft dwellers. Its schedule is also packed with 30 minute "lunchtime classes" for Downtown workers who want to fit an intense workout in during the day. For those looking to sweat it out a little more, 55 minute classes are available in the mornings and evenings. Co-Owner Judy Hong says their classes will appeal to the person who really wants instant gratification and to feel the burn.

Hong and her friend, Joy Plas, say when they went into business together they looked all over Downtown but fell in love with the Eastern Columbia’s history and the beautiful architecture along Broadway. Hong is happy with the results, “I love this area. Its energy, the diversity... It’s a nice mix of what LA really is.”

Pilates Plus offers several different packages, but if you want to try out the program, a single group class is $39. They are running specials for members until June 1st. More details are available online at .

Pilates Plus Downtown Los Angeles / Eastern Columbia Building / 845 South Broadway / 213-863-4834

Comments

Scott Mercer writes:

This block is first front in the battle to transform Broadway. We'll see if the more upscale retailers can hang in there.

I hope the Broadway corridor doesn't lose its lower-end character completely, but do we really need a dozen stores selling boomboxes? One or two would do. I think there's room for both. Maybe the higher-end retailers could cluster near 8th and 9th street.

# on May.15.2008 AT 02:55 PM

Bartleight writes:

What a great idea! And the studio looks amazing. I mean where else can you work out and have such beautiful architecture in the background. I've done Pilates mat classes before but I think this place has motivated me to try the reformer version. Welcome to Downtown Judy and Joy!

# on May.16.2008 AT 11:47 AM

Norbie 7 writes:

Bootcamp? You mean with real machine guns blasting bullets over your head while one crawls thru the mud?

Was Bush's indifference to the threat of al Queda in the months leading up to 9/11 tantamount to "appeasement"?

# on May.17.2008 AT 12:48 AM

Miranda Lynne writes:

Awesome!!! I'm walking distance from the Eastern so it's going to be very convenient for me. Thanks Judy and Joy!!!

# on May.28.2008 AT 01:07 PM