New York's most exclusive zip code embroiled in gym scandal as hundreds pay for membership but doors stay shut
Affluent New Yorkers in one of the city's most exclusive zip codes have hit out at a new gym that lured them into paying for an 'elevated fitness experience' but has constantly delayed its opening. York Club NYC billed itself as the next status symbol for the Big Apple's fitness community, offering everything from saunas and spas to fitness classes and top of the line gym equipment. The club in Manhattan's Upper East Side has only shared renderings of what the inside could look like once complete, showing a sleek, all-black design and an array of luxury amenities. But six months after first announcing they would be 'opening soon', would-be gymgoers have been left waiting.Those in the area tell the Daily Mail that when they have peered inside the club on York Avenue, the gym does not appear to have been built, with barely any decorations or exercise machines set up. 'I’m concerned that they won’t post any picture of the progress inside the gym. It’s just virtual mockups,' one Upper East Side local told the Daily Mail. 'After taking so many people’s money and leaving us in the dark for five months, I’m really losing my patience.' Many locals say they signed up after being approached on the street by York Club reps, offering the opportunity to 'lock in' their membership for $149 per month before it dramatically rises when the club opens. Affluent New Yorkers in one of the city's most exclusive zip codes have hit out at the yet-to-be-opened York Club after they say they were lured into paying for an 'elevated fitness experience' that has been constantly delayed The club in Manhattan's Upper East Side has only shared renderings of what the inside could look like once complete, showing a sleek, all-black design and an array of luxury amenities Despite renderings showing the gym is set to be fitted with top of the line equipment, some have claimed to have visited the location and found it to be 'nowhere near opening' The offer led to lines around the block, as Upper East Side residents flocked to secure the bargain membership cost before it is raised to $299 a month - on par with many of its exclusive rivals like Equinox. In November, the club announced on Instagram it had reached its milestone of 1,500 'founding members'. Yet, on Tuesday evening, members were hit with more disappointment when the club announced that it was delaying opening again. The announcement on Tuesday came after York Club insisted to members that it would be open by the end of 2025, a deadline that was set when the gym previously delayed opening six weeks before. After some would-be members complained on Instagram in the previous delay in November, the latest announcement days before Christmas had comments disabled on the social media post. Due to the delays, York Club has offered members a 100 percent refund for anyone who decides the wait is too long. 'York is running slightly behind schedule - not because anything is wrong, but because construction is a one-time opportunity,' the club said in its latest post. 'Once York Club and Spa opens, there is no going back to rebuild, expand, or redo major elements. 'Knowing this, we made the deliberate decision to take additional time now - to make the club bigger, better, and perfect from day one.' To appease those who may feel let down by the delay, York Club added that it was offering members who sign up early 'complementary bottled water.' The offer will allow members to receive water bottles on demand while they workout. Following the latest delays and setbacks, many criticized the club, with a Reddit thread on the gym flooded with disgruntled fitness enthusiasts. The week before Christmas, members were hit with more disappointment when the club announced that it was delaying opening again Following the latest delays and setbacks, many criticized the club, with a Reddit thread on the gym flooded with disgruntled fitness enthusiastsOne unhappy Reddit user who said they signed up early noted that they were getting a refund from the club, and said they were not convinced the latest delay is going to be the last. 'They said opening end of 2025, but they just showed a RENDERING interior video of the place,' they wrote this week. 'Not even a construction interior update or something real. And they turned off comments... No way they have enough space for all the people who signed up.' One Upper East Side resident told the Daily Mail that they went with a friend to a pre-sale membership opportunity months ago, and excitedly signed up to the bargain deal. A rendering showing owners' plans for a classy, black interior to the gym One local told the Daily Mail they were attracted to sign up for the gym because it offered a discount for 'founding members', and said the street was 'like a mob' because it was so popularThey said they paid a one-time presale membership fee in September, and said there were so many others taking up the deal that the street outside was 'like a mob.' 'So many people showed up, the line was around the block, and they had to move it online because it was too much,' they added. Another said this week that they visited the location in person and found that there was 'nothing inside', and described the gym as only 'half finished walls and nowhere near opening.' 'I asked for a refund today since it's been months since I signed up and it doesn't seem like this place is opening soon,' said another. 'They said they would add me to a list for a tour, and I asked for a date of this tour, and they couldn't name the date.' The Daily Mail contacted York Club for comment but did not receive a response.
