Equinox Miracle Mile

When designing a new club for high-end fitness brand Equinox in the Miracle Mile neighborhood of Los Angeles, MBH Architects aimed to create a unique and memorable space where club-goers could feel both relaxed and invigorated.

At Miracle Mile, members escape the bustle of Wilshire Avenue, entering an oasis with premium finishes including fluted columns in the lobby and a dramatic glass portal at the atrium entrance. The space features a palette of soft whites, cool gray, and golden hues that complement the rich textural patterns and materials—from glass to wood and stone. Sweeping curves formed by walls and ceilings with integrated lighting design provide natural wayfinding elements, leading members to the heart of the club. The club includes four dedicated studios offering Pilates, cycling, group fitness, and hot yoga, as well as spa treatment rooms, a juice bar, and a retail space.

Originally constructed in 1986, the 27,621-square-foot building was converted from a poorly-lit television studio and office into a welcoming fitness and wellness retreat. Since the Equinox brand works to promote a healthy lifestyle, MBH aimed to incorporate as much natural light as possible throughout the fitness studio. The team also strategically integrated architectural lighting throughout the studio to complement the natural light that predominantly illuminates the larger spaces, creating a warm environment free of cold, institutional lighting schemes often found in traditional gyms.

In working to remodel an existing building, the team had to take the unconventional zig-zag form of the six-story structure into account when designing the new club. To create a cohesive interior that flowed with ease, the MBH team integrated a multi-story atrium layout and maintained the open ceiling features of the original building shell. As a result, MBH enhanced the visual connection and transparency between the tenant space, common area, and outdoor environment.

Within this context, a continuous curve was integrated as the main thread in the club, which emerges from the toe lights at the atrium entry, slides into the portal, ascends to the ceiling, and extends to the back of the club. As the ceiling feature peels off into a double curve, a gold liner is revealed between two soffits to add a new layer of sophistication to the finish palette. ​This gold liner casts a glow on the aluminum plates and wood veneer surround an all-glass enclosure at the group fitness studio. ​ Along this path, the curvilinear form is echoed in the feature columns, reception desk, dome lights, and shoe cubbies. The fluted feature columns are cast in glass fiber reinforced gypsum with a dip of gold paint at the bottom, which became an interesting focal point encouraging people to touch and experience the subtlety of its surface texture. Another compelling feature is the use of a one-way mirror in the the yoga studio to provide visual relief for users, while maintaining both a mysterious and sophisticated lighting effect in the pre-function area.Though Equinox has numerous locations across the United States, MBH wanted to ensure this location fit the aesthetics and vibe of the Miracle Mile neighborhood, while respecting the original building.

Ultimately, the firm achieved a streamlined look that reflects both the energy of the neighborhood and the brand.

MBH Architects