LA Fitness works out plans for Toys R Us property

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Updated: March 2, 2012 8:12AM

WEST DUNDEE — The shuttered Toys R Us building near Spring Hill Mall here will soon be demolished to make way for an LA Fitness facility.

Since the toy store’s closing at the end of 2009, the building at 400 N. Eighth St. (Route 31) just southeast of the mall has occasionally been leased out for interim uses, such as a Halloween costume store.

Weather permitting, LA Fitness officials will begin the process of demolishing the building in April. They hope to have the gym up and running in about nine months.

“We’re very excited about it,” said Village Planner Jennifer Becker.

Community Development Director Cathleen Tymoszenko calls the project “a great fit for West Dundee.”

“LA Fitness brings people every day to their sites,” she said. “So when they’re coming to the site to work out, they’ll sometimes get a sandwich (in the area) or go shopping after. It’s very complementary to the retail and restaurant uses in the area.”

Tymoszenko said the company has a proven track record of success.

“The one in South Elgin does really well,” she said. “We expect some good things from this.”

The building footprint for LA Fitness will be smaller than the current building. Tymoszenko said plans for the site also include new landscaping.

“We’ve had some interest (in the site) by a few different people, but they ended up not to be the right fit for the property,” she said. “LA Fitness will be nice for the area. This is a great thing.”