Northern California Based Indoor Climbing Gym Group Expands To Los Angeles

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Touchstone Climbing Inc., arguably the best known indoor rock climbing operation in America, is opening its first Southern California location in Downtown Los Angeles' Arts District. Expected to open in Fall 2013, the gym will be the largest full-service bouldering and alternative fitness gym in the Los Angeles area. Bouldering is a form of indoor rock climbing that doesn't involve ropes.

The company partnered with LA-based Creative Space, an integrated development and marketing firm, for a tailored real estate solution ranging from location scouting to construction management. Creative Space was instrumental in identifying and securing the off-market 14,000 square foot space in the Factory Place Arts Complex located off of 6th Street in the Arts District. The gym will feature climbing terrain and walls up to 17 feet high that mimic outdoor boulders, but with shorter routes for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.

"We've had our sights set on L.A. for years," said founder and avid rock climber, Mark Melvin, Touchstone Climbing Inc. "Former members now living in L.A. have actually been a major impetus for our new location. They have repeatedly asked us to bring a world class bouldering gym to a city that already loves alternative fitness options."

The new location will be Touchstone's ninth location nationwide. Touchstone started in the Mission District of San Francisco 18 years ago, expanding over the years to 7 locations. Creative Space also worked on the eighth location opening soon in San Francisco called Dogpatch Boulders, which is their model concept for the L.A. gym.

"Finding suitable locations for a bouldering gym is very difficult and requires a different approach than the marketplace offers," said Tyler Stonebreaker, founder and CEO, Creative Space. "We had to find a space with a certain clear height for the climbing terrain along with proper zoning, parking and a location in a desirable neighborhood, not to mention do it within a very aggressive time frame as Touchstone wanted to be the first globally relevant rock climbing brand to open up in Los Angeles proper."

For more information about Touchstone, please visit www.touchstoneclimbing.com.

Touchstone Climbing Inc.
Touchstone Climbing is committed to providing the highest quality and most innovative indoor climbing experience, with the intent of building a community diverse in capability, purpose, and means. From kids to climbing veterans, those just having fun to athletes in training, adults-in-need to the affluent, Touchstone is most at home seeing them all together working things out. Starting in the Mission District of San Francisco 18 years ago, it has been an icon of indoor climbing ever since. For more information about Touchstone, please visit www.touchstoneclimbing.com.

Creative Space
Creative Space is fundamentally transforming the industry by rethinking the entire framework of the real estate process for businesses and property owners. Headquartered in Downtown Los Angeles's Arts District, Creative Space is led by Tyler Stonebreaker, a trailblazer in bridging the creative world with real estate, and Michael Smith, a highly accomplished media and music entrepreneur. Creative Space has worked with varied clients in the hospitality, entertainment, fashion and craft industries including Poketo, Handsome Coffee Roasters, OHWOW, Beckley Boutique and Warner Music Group. To learn more about Creative Space, please visit www.creativespace.us. 

Media Contact:
Melissa Barto
JCUTLER media group
[email protected]

SOURCE Touchstone Climbing Inc.