Life Time’s Pickleball Expansion: Life Time Group Holdings is acquiring two large sports complexes in Northbrook and Burr Ridge, Illinois. The company plans to transform the Northbrook location into a major pickleball hub while upgrading the Burr Ridge facility to offer pickleball and tennis.
Life Time, a premium health club operator, is taking over the properties from Five Seasons Sports Club. The two sites cover nearly 32 acres, with the Northbrook location spanning 114,174 square feet on 17 acres and the Burr Ridge site measuring 153,954 square feet on 15 acres.
Transforming Northbrook into a Pickleball Hub
Life Time plans to refurbish the Northbrook facility, aiming to make it the nation’s top destination for amateur and professional pickleball. The company confirmed these plans in a message to members of nearby Life Time clubs.
The Northbrook property is under a leasehold agreement on land owned by the Society of the Divine Word, a Roman Catholic missionary order. Over the years, much of the surrounding area has been redeveloped under similar long-term ground leases.
Burr Ridge Facility to Remain Open During Renovations
The Burr Ridge location will reopen under the Life Time brand on April 22. Unlike Northbrook, this facility will remain open while undergoing renovations. A Life Time spokeswoman declined to disclose the acquisition cost but confirmed the company’s plans to enhance its offerings in the area. Corporex, the Kentucky-based real estate firm that owns Five Seasons, declined to comment on the deal.
Life Time’s Growing Investment in Pickleball
The expansion aligns with the rising popularity of pickleball, now a sought-after amenity in residential and commercial properties. Other large-scale projects include The Fort in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a dedicated pickleball stadium with 43 courts and seating for 2,000 spectators. Life Time has significantly increased its pickleball investments.
“Life Time went all in on pickleball in 2021 and today we own and operate 775 courts around the country. From the surface of the courts to the design of the spaces, including lounge areas, and then the pros and coordinators we tap for programming (open play, clinics, leagues, tournaments), we have truly created a pickleball community second to none.” – (spokeswoman)
Expanding Club Network and Business Model
Based in Chanhassen, Minnesota, Life Time recently reported record membership retention and revenue per member. The company opened eight new locations in 2024, bringing its total to 179 clubs.
CEO Bahram Akradi outlined plans to open 10 to 12 more clubs in 2025, with additional expansions in 2026 and 2027. Life Time has been financing its growth through sale-leaseback deals and strategic acquisitions of existing fitness centers.
“We expect to open 10 to 12 clubs in 2025 with the ability to extend the number of openings for 2026 and 2027, given the depth of our pipeline.” – (Akradi)
“We literally have opportunities coming everywhere, urban, suburban, semi-urban buildings with apartments, buildings with office, they need Life Time traffic and brand to sort of improve the returns on those.” – (Akradi)
The company has also integrated residential and fitness spaces in cities like Raleigh, North Carolina, and Coral Gables, Florida. Akradi emphasized that Life Time’s presence boosts the value of properties where it operates.
“We have just the traditional suburban sites in incredibly robust demographics. So we just basically are balancing.” – (Akradi)
The Impact of Life Time’s Expansion
Life Time’s acquisition of these Chicago-area properties marks another step in its aggressive growth strategy. The planned pickleball hub in Northbrook could elevate the city’s reputation as a premier location for the sport. Meanwhile, the Burr Ridge facility’s upgrade reflects the company’s commitment to offering high-quality fitness experiences.
As Life Time continues to expand, its investments in pickleball and premium fitness facilities highlight the growing demand for recreational sports. More communities may soon see similar developments as interest in pickleball continues to rise nationwide.
News in Brief: Life Time’s Pickleball Expansion
Life Time is buying two Chicago-area fitness centers, planning to turn Northbrook into a national pickleball hub and upgrade Burr Ridge with tennis and pickleball. The Burr Ridge facility reopens on April 22, while Northbrook remains closed for renovations. The company aims to expand its network amid growing pickleball popularity.
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