Sale of Brookfield Blast Fitness site results in information runaround

The recent sale of a retail property in Brookfield has tenants and city officials scratching their heads in confusion.

Blast Fitness, 16985 W. Bluemound Road, handed out a "Frequently Asked Questions" flier to its members saying "the building owner sold the entire building to Aurora Health Care" and that the fitness location would close its doors Feb. 28.

The flier went on to say that Aurora had plans to demolish the site and that all of the building's tenants are out of a home.

"All occupants, which include Salon West and Spa, Tarsus, Rhoda, Smith and Associates, and Blast Fitness, are having their leases terminated so they can demolish the building and build something new," the flier reads.

Adam Beeson, strategic communications counsel senior for Aurora Health Care, said this information is not true.

"We are not purchasing this facility," Beeson said. "We are in negotiations to possibly lease the facility, but as of today we have not finalized a deal."

The former owner of the property, Dennis Klein, confirmed the building's sale in a phone interview last week, but denied rumors that the building will be torn down.

"The building will not be torn down," Klein said. "The building has been sold to an investment company. I do not know what their use is, it might be Aurora, I honestly don't know."

Klein declined to name the investment company or other details about the sale.

The city of Brookfield was not aware of the transaction.

"No entity has contacted my office or City Hall regarding the sale or demolition of the Bally's/VicTanny building," said Daniel Ertl, director of community development.

As of Jan. 25, the county building inspector's office and register of deeds office had no applications for a demolition, site modifications or record of the property's sale on file.

Klein said he is not sure what will happen to the other tenants, but he confirmed Blast's closing date.

"I do know they notified Blast to be out by Feb. 28, but I do not know what they are doing with the other three tenants."

Kathleen Magyar owns Salon West, located on the property, and said she was made aware of the building's sale in early January and is considering several options for a new home.

"We were told that our leases would be terminated and are in the process of relocating," Magyar said. "We have been in Brookfield for more than 20 years and we don't plan to change that."

Employees at the Brookfield Blast location said they could not comment on the sale, and the company's corporate office was not available for comment.