Solidcore Builds Fast Without Losing Form

Lou, Director of Design & Construction at [solidcore], shares how the fast-growing fitness brand maintains quality and speed across new studio openings by rethinking their permitting workflow.

[descript:Y7ezXhQJWJU]

[solidcore] is one of the fastest-growing fitness brands in the country, with plans to double its locations and open 250 studios by 2028. But rapid expansion brings a unique set of challenges—especially when it comes to permitting and construction.

In this episode of Permission to Build, Lou, Director of Design & Construction at [solidcore], gives a behind-the-scenes look at the brand’s expansion program. Lou describes a diligence-first approach built around tight partner networks and clear permitting visibility to keep openings on schedule.

The conversation explores how [solidcore] balances speed with the brand’s exacting design standards. Every studio needs to feel the same—the lighting, the layout, the equipment placement—regardless of the jurisdiction or the unique challenges of each site. That means the permitting and construction process has to be both fast and precise.

Lou discusses how [solidcore] works with architects, contractors, and permit expeditors to maintain consistency across a growing national footprint. The team has learned to front-load the permitting process, identifying potential roadblocks early and building relationships with local building departments before applications are even submitted.

Key takeaways include the importance of standardized drawing sets that can be adapted to local codes, how to manage multiple simultaneous permit applications without losing track, and why the permitting phase is actually the most critical window for catching design and compliance issues before they become expensive construction problems.

For any brand scaling physical locations, [solidcore]’s approach offers a blueprint for maintaining quality at speed.