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Commission approves 1Up Fitness plan for historic Van Ness auto building with conditions
Summary
Planning Commission approved a 40,000 sq. ft. OneUp Fitness gym for 799 Van Ness — a historic former dealership — allowing roll‑up doors to remain after preservation staff reviewed the exterior; the project will include a pool, spa and accessory restaurant and is expected to create about 80 jobs.
The commission voted to approve a conditional use authorization on Jan. 10 for a multi-level OneUp Fitness center at 799 Van Ness Avenue, converting a historic former MINI Cooper dealership into a 40,000‑square‑foot fitness and hospitality complex.
Planning staff reported the property is in a Van Ness special use district and noted the project would retain the building envelope without expansion; staff recommended modifications to increase street‑level transparency, suggesting fenestrating or replacing three roll‑up garage doors. Preservation staff reviewed the proposal and said the roll‑up doors could remain while still complying with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for rehabilitation.
Sponsor representatives described a programming mix including workout areas, studios, locker rooms, a spa and pool, a restaurant with alcohol as an accessory use, and a membership model. Sebastian Schoeb, OneUp’s North America president, said the project would create about 80 part‑ and full‑time jobs.
Commissioners debated the staff recommendation to replace roll‑up doors with glass and ultimately voted to approve the project with conditions while allowing the doors to remain; the motion passed unanimously 6-0. Commissioners asked the sponsor to continue coordination with the Van Ness Neighborhood Council and confirmed that rehabilitation of a category‑A historic resource would be subject to preservation standards on any future exterior work.
The project will proceed through additional department reviews and building permits; the commission’s approval authorized the gym use on the Second Floor and above, where retail-style uses require CUA.
