FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
Contact: Danielle Miller
(410) 494-4834     
dmiller@mackenziecommercial.com
October 11, 2006

MacKenzie Negotiates Lease of Second Maryland Location for Planet Fitness Franchise

BALTIMORE – MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate Services, LLC (MacKenzie), an independently owned and operated member of the Cushman & Wakefield Alliance, successfully negotiated the lease of 14,850 square feet in Normandy Business Center to Planet Fitness’ franchisee, HDFIT, Inc. 

Normandy Business Center, a Safeway-anchored shopping and office complex located at 8488 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, Maryland, is owned and managed by Normandy Venture Limited Partnership.  The space that Planet Fitness will be moving into had been previously leased to a fitness club and will be completely renovated prior to opening.    

This is the second Planet Fitness location in Maryland for franchisee, Diana Hamilton.  The first opened in the Galleria Shopping Center on York Road in Timonium on May 16th, replacing Quest Fitness Center, which was also owned by Hamilton.  To-date, there are 80 franchises and Hamilton is the first woman franchise owner in the Planet Fitness system.  Planet Fitness’ concept is to offer a welcoming environment with affordable monthly fees to people of all fitness levels and ages.

O. Bowie Arnot, Associate Broker, and Lacey A. O’Neil, Sales and Leasing Associate, represented HDFIT, Inc. in the leasing.  The landlord was represented by its in-house property manager, Ted Campbell. 

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Planet Fitness is a leading franchisor of total body workout centers for the average person, with 80 percent of members being first time gym users.  Based in Dover, NH where it opened its first center in 1992, Planet Fitness has more than 80 franchise and company-owned gyms in 14 states. Each gym features high-performance workout machines and equipment for cardio and strength training.  The company prides itself on providing a respectful, “judgment free zone” environment where everyone can feel accepted and respected regardless of health and fitness levels.

As one of the largest commercial real estate services firms in the State of Maryland, MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate Services, LLC has more than 120 employees throughout the MacKenzie affiliated companies. In addition to the firm’s broad spectrum of brokerage related services, MacKenzie can provide solutions to a full array of commercial real estate needs, including property and asset management, finance services, construction services and development. The combined depth of MacKenzie services in conjunction with the Cushman & Wakefield platform provides a new level of service and breadth of resources to the region.  To learn more, visit www.mackenziecommercial.com.

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Cushman & Wakefield is the world's premier real estate services firm. Founded in 1917, the firm has 195 offices in 55 countries around the globe, and 11,000+ talented professionals. Cushman & Wakefield delivers integrated solutions by actively advising, implementing and managing on behalf of landlords, tenants, and investors through every stage of the real estate process. These solutions include helping clients to buy, sell, finance, lease, and manage assets. We also provide valuation advice, strategic planning and research, portfolio analysis, and site selection and space location assistance, among many other advisory services. To find out more about Cushman & Wakefield, visit the firm's Web site at www.cushmanwakefield.com.