New Fitness Concept Flight to Open in Ascent Tower Retail Space

The class-based fitness studio will occupy 2,100 square feet in downtown Milwaukee's newest apartment building.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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A new-to-market fitness concept called Flight plans to open a studio in the retail space of the Ascent apartment tower in downtown Milwaukee. According to a permit filed with the city, Flight will occupy around 2,100 square feet of the building's 7,000 square feet of first-floor retail. The buildout is expected to cost at least $190,000 and include features like clustered restrooms with showers, a storage room, lockers, and a large fitness area for class equipment. Flight, which operates three locations in the Twin Cities, offers high-intensity classes that combine StairMaster cardio and strength training.

Why it matters

The addition of Flight to the Ascent tower's retail lineup continues the trend of new-to-market fitness concepts opening in downtown Milwaukee, catering to the growing residential population in the area. As the city's urban core continues to evolve, securing quality retail tenants is crucial for developers to create vibrant, mixed-use communities.

The details

According to the permit, Flight's studio at the Ascent tower will occupy around 2,100 square feet of the building's 7,000 square feet of first-floor retail space. The buildout is expected to cost at least $190,000 and include features like two new clustered restroom facilities with showers, a storage room, lockers, ACT ceilings, and a large fitness area for class equipment. Flight, which currently operates three locations in the Twin Cities area, offers high-intensity classes that combine StairMaster cardio and strength training.

  • The permit was filed with the City of Milwaukee in February 2026.
  • The Flight studio is expected to open in the Ascent tower this spring.

The players

Ascent

A 259-unit apartment tower developed by Milwaukee-based New Land Enterprises that opened in 2022 with about 7,000 square feet of first-floor retail space.

Flight

A new-to-market, class-based fitness concept that plans to open a studio in the Ascent tower's retail space. Flight currently operates three locations in the Twin Cities area and offers high-intensity classes that combine StairMaster cardio and strength training.

New Land Enterprises

The Milwaukee-based developer that built the Ascent apartment tower.

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What’s next

The Flight studio at the Ascent tower is expected to open this spring.

The takeaway

As downtown Milwaukee's residential population continues to grow, securing quality retail tenants like the new-to-market fitness concept Flight is crucial for developers to create vibrant, mixed-use communities that cater to the needs of urban dwellers.