From Vacant to Vibrant: 10Fitness Cantrell
There is something powerful about bringing life back to a long-vacant building, especially when that transformation supports wellness, movement, and community.
For the 10Fitness Cantrell location, Shine Interior Design Studio provided interior design services including interior layout planning, interior finishes, and exterior consultation. The project began inside a former Stein Mart that offered a wide-open footprint and a big opportunity. The goal was to create a dynamic, brand-aligned 24/7 fitness club with zones that support every fitness level.
Like most adaptive reuse projects, the building gave us real constraints. Those constraints helped shape the design in smart, strategic ways.
The Starting Point
This former Stein Mart location was a blank canvas, but it came with challenges that required thoughtful coordination and planning from the start.
The existing building conditions created several hurdles, including:
Lower ceiling heights than typical modern fitness facilities
Limited daylight in key areas
Dated plumbing and mechanical systems
Instead of forcing the building to behave like new construction, we treated these constraints as design parameters. That approach helped us make decisions that supported the program, honored the brand, and improved the member experience.
Cost-Effective Updates with High Impact
The exterior concept went through several iterations before landing on the final direction. The strongest and most cost-effective solution was to leverage what the building already did well. By utilizing the existing roof pitch and adding stone with character and visual texture, we created a strong and cost-effective solution that leveraged what the building already did well.
To create an iconic 10Fitness identity, we layered in metal cladding, updated signage, new exterior lighting and a vibrant brand-forward color palette.
Designing Within Brand Standards
10Fitness has strong brand standards and a clear program for how the club should function. Our job was to translate those standards into a location that feels cohesive, energized, and easy to navigate.
We focused on:
Clear zoning and intuitive circulation
Durable, high-performance finishes for high-traffic areas
Intentional color and contrast to define zones
Enhanced amenities that support recovery and restoration
The result is a space that feels bold and welcoming, whether someone is brand new to fitness or training consistently.
Branding is not limited to signage and paint colors. Through materials, tone, contrast, and lighting the brand can be incorporated through the full interior experience.
When branding is integrated holistically, the environment feels intentional and cohesive.
Interior Zones and Key Features
Group Training Rooms
Group training rooms are multi-functional by nature, and they require careful planning early in the process.
We consider factors like:
Sightlines and instructor positioning
Storage and equipment needs
Durability for walls and flooring
Lighting that supports multiple class formats
When these rooms are planned well, they become some of the most valuable square footage in the club.
Cardio Cinema
The Cardio Cinema is a favorite part of the 10Fitness program. It offers a completely different atmosphere from the bright, open gym floor.
This space is designed to feel:
Dark and immersive
Private and focused
Comfortable for long sessions
The contrast is intentional. It gives members a different kind of motivation and helps support varied preferences for how people like to work out.
Functional Training
The Functional Training area needed to support multiple uses, including movement, strength, and high-traffic training.
We selected materials that can handle:
Heavy daily use
Equipment impact
Frequent cleaning
Long-term wear while maintaining a polished look
The goal was versatility, performance, and durability.
Recovery Area
The Recovery Area is a newer addition to the 10Fitness program and a meaningful upgrade to the member experience.
This zone includes:
Stretch and mobility space
Massage and cryo chairs
Red light therapy
Tanning rooms
This area provides an opportunity to wind down and bring restoration back to the body. It supports a more complete approach to wellness, not just intensity.
Construction Progress and Site Visits
Design only works if it gets built correctly. During construction, Shine can function as the owner’s advocate by making site visits to ensure the vision is executed.
Site visits help us:
Confirm key details before they become issues
Protect the design intent
Keep finishes, layouts, and installs aligned with the plan
Hard hats included.
A Project That Serves the Community
We were thrilled to help bring new life to a long-time vacant space, while also contributing to the surrounding neighborhood. This project shows what is possible when adaptive reuse meets clear planning and strong brand alignment.
The best part is simple: there is a space for everyone, at all fitness levels.
Commercial renovations come with a thousand decisions. We help owners make the right ones early so the finished space performs beautifully for years. Let’s talk about your next project.
Project Team:
Architect: Sowell Ferris Architects
Contractor: Delta Blue Construction
Interior Design Services Provided by Shine Interior Design Studio
Interior Layout Planning
Interior Finish Selections
Exterior Consultation
Construction Observation and Design Coordination