Fitness First, Highbury Square, London

From functional to flourishing

Fitness First Highbury is a busy, well-used gym — but like many commercial leisure spaces, its pool area had been designed with function firmly in mind over feeling.
When Fitness First approached Green Envee as part of a wider programme of gym refurbishments planned across the country, the brief was clear: transform the poolside from a plain, grey interior into a space that felt warm, inviting and worth spending time in. This was to be the first of many collaborations — and we were determined to set the tone.

Great spaces need more than great equipment

Gym environments present a specific set of design challenges. The space needs to look exceptional without creating any additional maintenance burden for the team on the ground. Poolside areas in particular require careful consideration — humidity, chlorine, and heavy footfall mean that real planting simply isn't practical. The client also needed plants that would make an immediate visual impact, drawing the eye and softening the hard lines of a commercial interior, without compromising on safety or longevity. Scale mattered too. A large, busy pool area demands statement pieces — not something that gets lost against the walls.

Stunning palms and birds of paradise — no watering required

Green Envee supplied and installed a carefully curated selection of large artificial palms and birds of paradise, positioned to frame the pool area and create an unmistakable tropical poolside atmosphere. Our premium artificial plants are indistinguishable from the real thing — but built to withstand the demands of a high-footfall commercial environment, with zero maintenance required. The result was immediate and dramatic: a space transformed from functional grey to vibrant, lush and genuinely welcoming. A place members actually want to linger.

This project marks the beginning of a long-term partnership with Fitness First, with further installations planned at sites across the country. Watch this space.

Interested in transforming your commercial space? Get in touch with the Green Envee team today on 020 3893 1110.