On one of his regular work trips to San Francisco, David Gutstadt, then the chief investment officer and cofounder of Equinox Hotels, was invited to members’ club the Battery. The vibe was relaxed but refined, and the messaging, in terms of philanthropy, diversity, and community, was intriguing. But what stood out to Gutstadt was its fairly compact fitness facility. Most of the members paid extra to go to the gym down the street. Why, he wondered, would you ever let your members walk out the door to go somewhere else for anything, especially a workout? “That was one of those lightbulb moments,” he says.
Enter Fitler, a members’ only lifestyle club with a restaurant helmed by chef Marc Vetri, three bars, a 14-room hotel, event space, a screening room, the 34,000-square-foot Offsite coworking space (set to open in September), and the Field House, a state-of-the-art fitness facility with a spa, a salon, group classes, and private trainers. A rooftop pool will debut in 2021.
The Toronto-born, Philadelphia-based Gutstadt is a 20-plus year hospitality veteran who has worked for the likes of Morgan Stanley and Related Companies, but Fitler proved to be his most enterprising endeavor yet. In only three years, he has taken a mere idea and turned it into something tangible. Once he raised the capital (the surprisingly easy part, he says) and found the perfect site—a 110-year-old industrial behemoth on the river—he was off to the races. Located in Philadelphia’s Center City neighborhood, the lifestyle destination proves Philadelphians not only can handle but desire “a progressive concept,” he says. “There’s a crowd here that wants high-end design and to be part of an elevated, diverse community.”
For the design, Gutstadt turned to fellow Canadian Matthew Rosenberg of Los Angeles firm M-Rad Architecture to translate his industrial chic vision into a modern, approachable concept where original ceilings and expansive windows complement wood and metal accents. Room to room, members feel enveloped in a welcoming embrace. “Philadelphia is a traditional city,” he says, “so we wanted to create a space that feels comfortable.”
Community, however, remains the cornerstone of Fitler, with Gutstadt and his team emphasizing its philanthropy. The club, which opened in June and already has 1,500 members, was launched alongside a foundation. (In addition to a yearly gala, a portion of initiation fees for members will go to this charitable organization.) “We have a community of people who are successful and privileged, and it would be a tremendous waste if we weren’t able to create something that gives back to the community,” he says. “It just seemed obvious that this would be an important part of our business.”
French doors open to private phone booths at the Study in Fitler Club
The reception area pairs the building’s original ceilings with modern details like warm wood and brass
The 14 guestrooms at Fitler exude a masculine-meets-midcentury vibe
The building’s original concrete columns are integrated into the bar design
Moody blue tones mark the Fitler suite
The 14 guestrooms at Fitler exude a masculine-meets-midcentury vibe
Photography by Annie Schlechter and Kevin Sturman
