Call it pro-gramming.
When Chuck Roberts was looking for a new waterfront home on Miami Beach, he had no shortage of amenity-loaded luxury buildings to pick from. But one building left the 52-year-old finance worker star stuck.
Former NFLer Troy Aikman, golfer Greg Norman and French soccer player and World Cup-winner Blaise Matuidi are just a few of the top athletes who were touching down at 57 Ocean, an 18-story new construction tower, located on Miami Beach.
It’s all part of the condo building’s celebrity athlete program which, at no additional cost, hooks up residents with pro players for meals and to play sports.
Although 57 Ocean doesn’t officially open until September, the program is already in full swing for those in contract on one of its units, which range in price from $1.5 to $38 million.
Marcelo Kingston, a managing partner at Multiplan, the building’s developer, added that the VIP events will happen regularly, “which could be small meet-and-greets, games or one-on-one sessions.”
Roberts loved the perk so much that he bought a penthouse unit.
“I am a workout fiend and huge sports fan, and notable athletes epitomize both,” said Roberts. “Of course, I wanted to live in the building when I heard about this incredible access. I chatted with Troy over a 20-person dinner and got his tips on how to stay in such great shape. I’m having brunch with Blaise and will get to play soccer with him on the beach.”
It’s wellness on steroids: The latest eyebrow-raising fitness amenity in new upscale buildings in New York, Miami and a handful of wealthy residential communities around the country is interacting and even training with star athletes or their coaches.
The owners of Quay Tower in Brooklyn Heights (units from $1.6 million to $10.6 million) have tapped World Championship boxer Yuri Foreman to teach residents boxing drills, both privately and in small groups.
“It’s the only time I’ve ever partnered with a building, and I’m doing it because I get satisfaction out of helping people improve both emotionally and physically,” Foreman told The Post.
Meanwhile, 30 Warren in Tribeca, where apartments start at $1.6 million and go up to $10.6 million, has formed an exclusive partnership with Yoga Shanti, a studio owned by prolific yoga couple Rodney and Colleen Saidman Yee. Benefits for residents include discounts and priority reservations for classes and the option to book private lessons with instructors in the building’s yoga studio.
And finally, Rose Hill in Nomad is the first building in the city to collaborate with Fhitting Room, a boutique fitness studio that has a dedicated following for its high intensity interval training classes. Head instructor Eric Salvador, the former Marine Corps vet who “Racked” once dubbed one of the city’s hottest trainers, will offer private sessions in the building’s gym when it opens this summer. Apartments cost between $1.3 million and $19.5 million.
“There’s a certain sexiness about athletes and to bring them into a residential setting is incredibly appealing,” Deepti Mittal, an agent with Douglas Elliman said. “Die-hard sports fans would definitely pick one luxury building over another because of a sports star associated with it. And even if you’re not a die-hard, moving in may be worth it for the bragging rights alone.”
Of course, I wanted to live in the building when I heard about this incredible access. I chatted with Troy [Aikman] over a 20-person dinner and got his tips on how to stay in such great shape. I’m having brunch with Blaise [Matuidi] and will get to play soccer with him on the beach.
Miami Beach resident Chuck Roberts
Back in Miami, Paramount Miami Worldcenter, in the city’s downtown, also has collaborations with multiple pro athletes and even counts 19 of them as residents, including Houston Rockets player Victor Oladipo and Colombian soccer goalie David Ospina.
“We have twice-weekly group pickup games, personal training and kids’ sports sessions,” said T.J. Sabo, the chief creative officer of RPC Holdings, Paramount’s developer. Prices range from $750,000 to $11 million at the building.
Case in point: Earl Wolff, a resident and retired NFL player for teams such as the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars offers personal training sessions exclusively to fellow residents. The certified trainer charges $120 an hour.
“I have 10 clients I work with regularly,” said Wolff. “I’m also about to start regular flag football games and speed and agility sessions for kids.”
One of his clients, William Nejo, 32, a telecommunications executive, said that Paramount’s athlete lineup was a major reason that he bought in the new tower.
“It was a done deal when I found out that I would actually be able to train with them,” he said. “I see Earl three to four times a week and have gotten in great shape with his help. I’m loving being around all these sports stars.”