17-Mar-15 – A “ping pong social club” will take over space in River North that has sat empty for six years.

SPiN describes itself as “an unusual mixture of sport, design, and entertainment.”

Co-owned by actress Susan Sarandon, SPiN has locations in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Dubai. In addition to Chicago, a new location is opening soon in Brussels.

The space at Marina City is on the east side of Hotel Chicago, facing State Street. It has been empty since July 31, 2008. A Crunch fitness center had been there since June 1999.

Transwestern, which manages the commercial property at Marina City for LaSalle Hotel Properties, confirmed on Tuesday that a lease has been signed.

SPiN should be open in late summer or early fall, according to Shawn Topp, chief marketing officer for SPiN Global. David Rockwell of Chicago will design the 16,000 square foot space.

“River North is one of the most iconic neighborhoods in Chicago and the location we found in Marina City was an extension of that,” Topp told Loop North News. “Being accessible to nightlife, businesses, and local residents is crucial for us as well as the opportunity to be part of an already thriving, beautiful, and welcoming community.”

He says Chicago was “the logical next step” for SPiN, “given the city’s history of passionate sportsmanship and vibrant nightlife, not to mention a long list of celebrity friends and supporters who make their home there.”

SPiN originated in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York in 2009. Sarandon has been a fan of the sport since attending a ping pong party hosted by one of her business partners. Other co-owners of SPiN include Jonathan Bricklin, Andrew Gordon, and Franck Raharinosy.

Bricklin and Raharinosy work in the film industry. Bricklin is the son of automobile entrepreneur Malcolm Bricklin. Gordon’s background is finance and he serves as chief financial officer of SPiN. (Left) Susan Sarandon plays ping pong at the Los Angeles SPiN, located at The Standard Hotel. Photo by Steve Schofield.

(Above left) The space as it looked on November 28, 2011. (Above right) Inside the old Crunch location on February 7, 2012.

The New York location has 17 ping pong “courts,” a bar, restaurant, pro shop, and private VIP room. A location in Milwaukee had been a SPiN franchise since 2010 but its owners decided last month to change the name and operate independently.