Monday, May 30, 2016

ROC House A Bust in Buckhead

Specialty fitness facility fails. 

ROC House Women's Fitness Spa has closed its facility on Piedmont Road in Buckhead.  The spa opened in September 2013 in place of the Aveda Institute which relocated to Brookwood Place on Peachtree.  Former NBA player Larry Hughes opened ROC House, with seemingly no experience in the field, and perhaps bit off more than he could chew.  Make no mistake, I'm not cheering failure, but it is sad to see ill-advised current and former pro athletes sink millions of dollars into businesses that fail.

Although Hughes never reached superstar status, former Hawks and then Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry signed him to a five-year $70 million contract during the summer of 2005.  

The nearly 15,000 square foot fitness spa offered strength and conditioning training, personal training, yoga, spin, pilates and cardio. ROC House also featured a full-service spa that included a hair salon, nail studio, massage services, facial, waxing and a lash & brow bar.  The facility also featured a mini cafe of sorts, where it offered healthy meal options including healthy entree plates, salads, flatbreads and smoothies.  
The Cafe at ROC House
"ROC House Women's Fitness Spa is a one-stop headquarters for launching your new holistic, healthy lifestyle – offering a transformative blend of physical fitness, mental relaxation, and health conscious sustenance."

Local sources indicate the business was never busy and that it abruptly closed about two weeks ago.  As of this week, the business was largely cleared out with little left inside.  I did spot a Kroger cart and a large piece of equipment.  

The closure of ROC House follows the November 2014 closure of similarly named ROC (Republic of Couture), a boutique in midtown.  

The 14,875 square foot space ROC House Women's Fitness Spa is currently being marketed for lease by property owner Selig Properties.  The ROC space in midtown, also owned by Selig properties, is also being marketed for lease.  

Did you ever visit ROC House, if so what were your thoughts? Are you surprised by its closure?  What would you like to see open in place of ROC House?

Please share your thoughts below.  

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

In yet another odd coincidence, ROC also was the name of a TV series on FOX starring Charles Dutton which was cancelled in 1994. I wonder if its related to the other two ROC failures you mentioned. Hmmmm.....

"Tyrone" said...

This building has gone through so many iterations. I used to work here in 1998...it was a prime steakhouse restaurant called Porterhouse...and it was part of the Peasant Group (think Pleasant Peasant). It only lasted a few months.

Anonymous said...

They clearly didn't utilize professional services in branding their business... using the word "headquarters" in your tagline for a women's spa is not advised...

Law2008 said...

I just want my last month's dues that were promised to be repaid by the manager. Frauds.

Law2008 said...

I just want my last month's dues hat were promised to be paid back in May. The owners closed the business without even a day of notification. Shameful.

Unknown said...

I was a customer here twice and it had tons of potential, I'm not sure Atlanta has ever fully been city that promotes health and wellness... Check out obesity rate in kids! Facts

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