While many aspiring U.S. padel club owners struggle to find any location that is suitable to build courts, two East Coast operators have managed to hit the jackpot and land some of the most memorable — and inspiring — locations for a padel club anywhere in the world. Namely, inside former river-front power plants.
In fact, as we reported last year, both Richmond, VA and Philadelphia, PA will soon be home to these iconic new power-plant padel clubs when Padel Plant and Ballers Philly finally open their doors for play.
Old Dogs, New Tricks
Of its unique, soon-to-open location on the Canal Walk in a former hydroelectric power plant in Richmond, Padel Plant says:
“The Plant, now in its 125th year, has sat vacant for the last 55+. Our vision for Padel Plant was to find a location with incredible ceiling heights that’s a part of Richmond’s urban fabric. The Plant was better than we could have imagined. Its the perfect location for a one-of-a-kind padel and social hub that re-energizes the building for the city.”
Meanwhile, Ballers — which has plans to bring future clubs to New York City and Boston — will open its first location in Philadelphia (complete with three padel courts, six pickleball courts, four golf simulators, two squash courts, and a mini turf field for soccer and other sports) in a former PECO power plant that first opened over a century ago and was once one of the main sources of electricity for the entire region.
Of this ultra-ambitious undertaking, the ownership and development grounp behind it says:
“Ballers is bringing country club sports to the city. Our first location in Philadelphia’s iconic Battery building will feature pickleball, padel, golf, squash, and soccer – as well as an upscale bar & restaurant, luxe spa amenities, and event spaces.”
“From the team behind Philadelphia’s award-winning Fitler Club comes the first hospitality-driven multi-sport venue designed to embrace the social aspects of sport & competition. With a focus on high-profile urban locations, elevated design and authentic hospitality — Ballers will become the preeminent brand in SOCIAL SPORTS,” they add.
Does Two Really Make a Trend?
Granted, these projects appear to be the only two power-plant padel clubs on the horizon in the U.S. right now — and, obviously, there are only so many abandoned, century-old former power plants to go around.
But, as we discussed in a recent article about what makes a great padel club, with the sport increasingly being played in dark, windowless warehouses with relatively low ceilings, it’s both encouraging and refreshing to see design-forward, experience-focused padel projects like these coming online in the U.S.
And we couldn’t be more excited to bring you more details on both of these exciting new projects as they become available. So, please be sure to keep an eye out for updates!
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