The building’s website, Twelve12, says:

COMING SPRING 2014

Convenience meets style
in one of DC’s most interesting urban districts. This newly-constructed signature building will offer its residents unique and exciting amenities, including upscale finishes and a sense of community in a vibrant, growing neighborhood. Additionally, we are proud to announce that a brand new Harris Teeter and a VIDA Fitness will provide unparalleled on-site conveniences for residents to enjoy.

From a press release:

Dive into summer early with a splash! VIDA Fitness’ Penthouse Pool Club kicks off its 2013 pool season on Saturday, April 27, which promises an event-filled summer with themed happy hours, rooftop dining and poolside celebrations. Award-winning chef Michael Schlow has been retained by Urban Adventures Companies, Inc. (UAC) to create and design a new food and beverage menu. Schlow’s cuisine will feature tasty appetizers and small plates, hearty salads, artisan sandwiches and wraps and healthy juices, smoothies and shakes. UAC newly designated an onsite full-service prep kitchen where Schlow’s culinary eats will be cooked and prepared fresh daily. Michael Schlow is executive chef and owner of seven prized restaurants in the northeast and recognized as one of the leading chefs in the United States.

Located on the rooftop of VIDA Fitness-U Street at 1612 U Street, NW, the 12,000-square-foot member-only pool club and lounge features a highly-stylized atmosphere that includes a 60-foot pool, private sun deck, resort cabanas, communal fire pits and a membership lounge. VIDA Fitness is currently accepting applications for a limited number of Penthouse Pool Club memberships, which are obtainable on a space available basis.

Penthouse members can also reserve customized rooftop spaces and host private events with food and beverage options from a specialized catering menu designed by Chef Michael Schlow. The Pool Club can accommodate groups of up to 299 and is available for functions from small gatherings to large receptions. Ideal for birthday celebrations, wedding receptions, fundraisers or business functions, the Penthouse event space options include the Pool Deck, Poolside VIP Area, Adams Morgan View or the secluded Sun Deck on the fourth level terrace.

The Penthouse Pool Club is designed to look and feel like an urban oasis where guests and members can socialize and unwind in a sophisticated setting while appreciating panoramic capital views. The rooftop club sports ten private cabanas and one larger VIP cabana, which are punctuated with custom Moroccan fixtures floating over large crimson beds surrounding the pool. Continuing the Moroccan theme are platinum colored lounge chairs with thick red cushions, and red and white zebra print daybeds all situated on top of synthetic green grass. At night the Penthouse mood is enhanced with glowing stone fire pits and changing colored lighting that illuminate the pool waters.

1612 U St, NW courtesy of VIDA Fitness

Pure Barre will be opening April 19th at 2130 P Street, NW.

Pure Barre is the fastest, most effective way to change the shape of your body. Using small isometric movements at the ballet barre set to motivating music, Pure Barre lifts your seat, tones your thighs, abs and arms and burns fat in record breaking time. Clients see results in just 10 classes, lose inches in weeks and have fun doing it!

Pure Barre was founded by dancer, choreographer and fitness guru, Carrie Rezabek Dorr. Carrie opened her first studio in the basement of an office building in Birmingham, MI in 2001. With no initial clients, staff, signage or even a bathroom, Carrie has grown Pure Barre in to the company it is today.

In July of 2009 Pure Barre became a franchise and has locations nationwide.

Another work out option for 14th Street. Back in Dec. 2012 we learned a new crossfit gym was coming to the former GreenPets space at 1722 14th St, NW. Crossfit DC’s website says:

“CrossFit DC is committed to providing the community, coaching, and environment to meet the needs of everyone from the absolute beginner to the competitive athlete. We welcome anyone with a positive attitude and a desire to better themselves.”

They’re now open:

Thanks to AV for sending word:

“The BETA Academy of Martial Arts, which was on Columbia Rd, moved today to its new and bigger location at the corner of 14th and Florida Ave NW (1353 Florida Ave)!”

Dear PoPville,

I’m wondering if anyone out there knows of a gym/exercise program that has a pay-as-you-use rate? I’ve been using school gyms, and since leaving have been working out by cobbling together those month-long memberships from Living Social/Groupon, etc. Work has been keeping me on the road quite a bit (three solid months next year), and as it slows down I hope to join a full-time gym. In the meantime, I’d love to work out without signing a year-long contract with joining fee and feeling like I’m throwing away the money for the time I’ll be gone, since it can be a month or more at a time. Does anybody out there know of a place that lets you pay month to month or would be willing to be flexible on the contract? Surely in a place as transient as this that option must exist somewhere.

Following up on some reader comments last week comes word of the new tenant coming to 1302 9th Street, NW near the Convention Center – Reformation Fitness. The new pilates gym will be located in the former Shakti yoga studio which closed back in March 2012. I spoke to a friend of the owner who said the new gym will open around the beginning of the year.

And another longtime vacant space will finally get a new tenant as well – 1722 14th St, NW – the former home of GreenPets will become a Crossfit gym:

Logan also has a crossfit gym not too far away at 1469 Church Street NW – MPH Crossfit opened up back in 2009. WBJ’s Michael Neibauer also notes:

“It will be at least the third crossfit gym on 14th Street between Thomas Circle and Florida Avenue, joining Balance Gym at 1111 14th, and Crossfit Praxis at 2217 14th.”

I’ll add that there is one more on 14th Street south of Thomas Circle near Metro Center.

DCBFit is soft opening in mid-Dec. and having a grand opening in Jan. at 1000 New Jersey Ave., SE near the baseball stadium. Their facebook page says:

DC Boxing & Fitness, a locally owned and operated fitness studio, was created to welcome members of all fitness levels. The classes are built around varied fighting techniques that will maximize cardio output while teaching self-defense basics. Each workout will target your upper and lower body, as well as your core, while testing your individual limits. In consideration of our client’s busy schedules, we designed each high intensity class in 45 minute intervals. Class sizes are limited to provide individual attention by our staff.

We are so confident in our product that we require NO LONG TERM contracts. Unlike other gyms, membership is cancelable on a monthly basis.

1000 New Jersey Ave., SE

From a press release:

Xtend Barre DC announced today that a new studio is opening in Washington, DC on November 10th at 1228 Blagden Alley NW
. The Xtend Barre workout is a fast-paced, 55-minute full body immersion that fuses dance, Pilates and sculpting exercises at the ballet barre for a chiseled body – and fast.

Classes on Saturday, November 10 and Sunday, November 11 are free.

The multi-level and varied class is geared to challenge bodies of any age, gender, or fitness background. Exercise is most efficient when you switch up your workout and challenge your body, which is why these classes are great for those who are stuck in their usual gym routines.

Regular classes will be held:

Monday – 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday – 7:00 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday – 6:30 p.m.
Thursday – 7:00 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.
Saturday – 9:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Sunday – 9:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

Celebrities including: Madonna, Zooey Deschanel, Kelly Ripa, Natalie Portman, and Ginnifer Goodwin are all barre workout enthusiasts and attend ballet and Pilate fusion classes to maintain their toned, long, lean bodies.