A gym is briefly closing its doors in one Chapel Hill space for a few days before its new location formally opens.

Planet Fitness at University Place at 201 South Estes Drive closed to customers on Monday, Dec. 29 as the fitness chain prepares to relocate to a new space at 257 South Elliott Road in Chapel Hill. A whiteboard sign outside of the University Place space shared the news with visitors, saying the 24-hour gym is now closed and the Elliot Square location plans to open on Wednesday, Dec. 31. The message also encouraged gym members to utilize other nearby Planet Fitness locations in Durham and Hillsborough.

A sign outside of the University Place Planet Fitness on Monday, Dec. 29. (Photo via Chapel Hill Media Group.)

The move comes after months of Planet Fitness renovating the space within Elliott Square, which was previously home to an O2 Fitness gym. The business’ webpage for the new location touts typical Planet Fitness amenities like state-of-the-art equipment, clean locker rooms, a spa for its PF Black Card Spa members and friendly staff. It will operate between GoPuff grocery delivery space and the Breadman’s restaurant at the shopping center.

A sign promoting the new Planet Fitness location along South Elliott Road on Nov. 30. (Photo by the Chapel Hill Media Group.)

The move opens another space at University Place, as the Chapel Hill mall continues to go through changes as part of its ongoing redevelopment and shuffling of tenants. On the same side of the main building as Planet Fitness, Kidzu Children’s Museum closed its space following a water main break in Aug. 2024, Style Brows Threading Studio relocated to Rams Plaza and Gerrie & Co. closed after July’s flooding from Tropical Depression Chantal, and Alfredo’s Pizza Villa relocated across the parking lot to a new space in the 900 Willow building in November. Planet Fitness was listed alongside new businesses in University Place’s master plan as recently as March and its move frees another big box space within the anchor building that owners Ram Realty have prioritized turning “inside out” to close interior-only storefronts. The mall also added businesses like Jeni’s Ice Cream, WakeMed MyCare 365, Solidcore, SWTHZ and Veterinary Emergency Group in 2025.

Planet Fitness locations are typically open 24 hours daily — but the New Year’s holiday alters that schedule. While hours for the South Elliott Road gym are not posted, other Planet Fitness clubs nationwide are open from 12 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec. 31 and from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Jan. 1.

Featured photo via Chapel Hill Media Group.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
Some University Place Businesses Invite Customers Back, While Others Recover From Floods
While some of the Chapel Hill mall's tenants suffered significant flooding, others at University Place quickly reopened for business.
Frame & Print Shop Relocating Within Chapel Hill Mall; Here's Where and When
One of University Place’s longest-standing businesses is once again transitioning to a new space at the Chapel Hill mall. The Frame & Print Shop, currently located in Suite 400C of 201 Estes Drive, is relocating and expanding this weekend to Suite 102 at University Place — which will put the locally-owned custom framing business in […]
Great Harvest Bread Co. in Chapel Hill Set to Permanently Close on Friday
The Great Harvest Bread Co. location in Chapel Hill is permanently closing later this week after more than two decades of business in town. The 229 South Elliott Road franchise of the from-scratch bakery and café company shared a newsletter and social media post with its patrons on Sunday announcing it will formally close its […]
Construction Progressing on Buildings for New Businesses at Chapel Hill's University Place
New buildings at University Place are taking shape and the Chapel Hill mall's owners have finalized more tenants, according to a release.
University Place Undergoes Phase 1 of Renovation
The indoor portion of University Place is entirely closed off to the public amid Governor Cooper’s stay-at-home order. But there’s some renovation going on both inside and out that will make the mall different the next time patrons visit. Phase 1 of redevelopment of the University Place mall has begun, with construction work being done […]
H&H Bagels Sets Opening Date in Chapel Hill's University Place
H&H Bagels, a chain of restaurants based out of New York, will open its new Chapel Hill location at University Place next week.
Alfredo's Pizza Villa Opens After Move at Chapel Hill's University Place
Alfredo's Pizza Villa completed its move across the University Place parking lot and officially opened to customers in its new space on Thursday night.
Chapel Hill's He's Not Here Among The Athletic's 'Top 10 College Bars' for 2025
A downtown Chapel Hill staple long known for its appeal to both UNC students, Tar Heel fans and visitors recently landed on a national list. The college football staff for The Athletic — a sports journalism magazine under the New York Times’ umbrella — named the 112 1/2 West Franklin Street bar He’s Not Here […]
Silverspot Cinema Re-Opens in Chapel Hill After 7 Weeks of Flood Damage Repairs
The Chapel Hill movie theater, which sustained flood damage during July's Tropical Depression Chantal, welcomed patrons back on Friday.
Guglhupf Bake Shop in Eastgate Crossing Moves Back Reopening Date; Now Aug. 19
UPDATE: Guglhupf owner Sean Scott shared a message on the bakery's Facebook page Friday saying it would be pushed back to Tuesday, Aug. 19.
›