Work has begun on site of David Lloyd Leisure’s (DLL) first club in Brussels, Belgium.

Being built around a 1920s chateau in Uccle, one of the city’s most prestigious suburbs, the club is expected to open at the end of 2004 or early 2005.

Tennis is very popular in Belgium, so the club will offer six outdoor and five indoor courts – the company had considered including a climbing wall at the site but as it would mean having one less tennis court the idea was shelved.

It will also boast an 8,000sq ft gym, two group exercise studios, a group cycling studio, insode and outside swimming pools, children’s facilities and a restaurant.

A 4,000sq ft spa will be far larger than DLL offers in the UK, and will offer a spa bath, sauna, steamroom, samarium and relaxation area as well as a health and beauty suite with treatment rooms, hairdressing and tanning facilities.

Local interior designers and architects are being used and an advertising agency employed to build membership among local people. Health Club Management is running a series of articles following the development of the club, see the first in HCM May 2004