Industry: Retail / Fitness & Recreation

Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Project Scope: Design and Installation of a Mezzanine Above Office and Restroom Area to Expand Usable Activity Space

This Fitness & Recreation company operates a specialty retail space in Phoenix, Arizona, focusing on exercise equipment and interactive activities. As their customer base grew, they wanted to introduce a dedicated rock-climbing area to host instructional programs for kids & adults, while also showcasing more equipment.

Unfortunately, their retail footprint was limited, and adding onto the building wasn’t feasible. They needed to find a creative way to increase usable space without disrupting their store layout or building structure — ideally reusing underutilized vertical space above the existing office and bathroom area.

We worked closely with the client to design a custom mezzanine that would sit securely above the current office and restroom structure — an area with strong foundational support but previously unused overhead space. The new mezzanine was engineered to safely accommodate dynamic loads from rock climbing equipment and foot traffic, while meeting all local building codes.

The final layout provided an open, elevated platform for the climbing wall and a designated zone for displaying larger exercise equipment. We also integrated a staircase with railing and custom safety features to ensure ease of access and visibility from the retail floor.

The entire installation was completed with minimal downtime to store operations, and the results gave the business a unique second-level experience that differentiated them from other fitness retailers in the region.

· Increased Usable Space: Gained an entirely new functional level without expanding the building footprint.

· Creative Utilization: Maximized space by building above office and bathroom areas that couldn’t otherwise be used.

· Enhanced Customer Experience: Provided a fun, interactive climbing area for kids — backboosting engagement and foot traffic.

· Flexible Design: Mezzanine supports both physical activity and product display needs.

· Quick Installation: Delivered on time with minimal interruption to the retail business.

"We knew we needed more space, but construction costs were too high and we didn’t want to shut down during renovations. The mezzanine turned out to be a perfect fit — literally. It transformed the upper air space above our offices into a dynamic area where kids can climb and customers can explore new gear. Our store feels bigger and more exciting, and it’s been great for business."

— Store Owner