The first location of the new premium Health & Social Club opens in the fall of 2026 in Jankomir, Zagreb. On more than 5,000 square meters, it will combine sports, wellness, business networking, gastronomy and a lifestyle experience aimed at a new generation of urban professionals.
In the fall of 2026, Zagreb will get its first premium destination of a new generation, where a morning workout doesn't necessarily mean the end of the day at the gym, but the beginning of a whole lifestyle scenario: a little workout, a little recovery, then a business meeting, lunch, networking and maybe an evening event. In short, a place for people who want to live a healthy, successful and sociable life — preferably without the feeling that they have to cross half the city for all of this.
The first location of the new store will open in Zagreb Premium Health & Social Club, a project of an entrepreneur and investor Robert Bukvic, which predicts an investment cycle worth more than 20 million eurosAmbition? Six locations in Croatia, starting in Zagreb, and in the long term, developing an internationally recognized lifestyle brand that could become one of the first premium concepts of its kind from this part of Europe.
It's not a gym. It's not an office. It's not a living room. It's something in between.
The concept is based on the global trend of “third place” spaces — places that are neither home nor office, but a third space where work, leisure, health and social life meet. Such clubs have become important urban hubs in cities like London, Miami and Dubai in recent years, where businessmen, creatives, entrepreneurs and lifestyle enthusiasts apparently like to do business even in their sneakers.
This is the first time Zagreb is getting a project of this type. And no, it's not just another sports center with a good coffee machine in the corner. The idea is much more ambitious.
"We are not building a classic sports center. We want to create a place where people can train, connect, relax and develop business relationships in a top-notch environment. The whole concept is conceived as a new kind of urban club for a modern community," he emphasizes. Robert Bukvic.
What will the first location offer?
The first Health & Social Club will accommodate more than 5,000 square meters and will be designed as an all-day destination. So not as a place where you come for 45 minutes and run away before anyone asks you if you've stretched out your last log.
The location will include:
- 10 padel and pickleball courts
- wellness and recovery zone
- longevity and performance programs
- restaurant and social lounge areas
- business networking and community events
- exclusive membership model for members
The concept is designed so that a member can start the day with a workout, continue with a business meeting, take care of regeneration in between, eat something, meet interesting people and attend an event in the evening. In a world where the calendar is often more tense than a wrist after a bad backhand, the idea is clear: bring all the important things together in one place.
Padel and pickleball will be the heart of the project
The sports part will be one of the key pillars of the entire concept, and the focus will be on fell and pickleball — sports that have become a true European lifestyle obsession in recent years. The sport that has made people realize that tennis may not be the only elegant way to achieve a competitive ego has been on the decline for some time. Pickleball is quickly emerging as a dynamic, accessible, and social alternative for all generations.
"Our focus is to create a top-notch infrastructure and experience for recreational players, professionals and the entire community scene, which is developing rapidly today. Sport will be the heart of the entire concept," he says. Ivan Labas, director of the sports sector.
Wellness, recovery and longevity: because “just one more workout” is no longer enough
In addition to the sports segment, the club will also develop a strong wellness component focused on regeneration, long-term health, performance and longevityThis is part of a new urban mindset, in which health is no longer just the absence of disease, but an investment in energy, productivity and quality of life.
Recovery zones, programs for better physical fitness, regeneration, and long-term vitality, have become almost as important as the training itself. Because, let's face it, at 35+, the body is increasingly clearly communicating that "I'll sleep tomorrow" is no longer a serious strategy.
Membership as a community, not just a card in your wallet
One of the biggest differences of the new concept is said to be membership modelThe club does not want to be just a place for training, but a platform for connecting people with similar interests, lifestyles and ambitions.
"We are developing a club where the quality of service, atmosphere and sense of community are felt in every detail. Our goal is not only to offer top-notch infrastructure, but to create a place where members return for the experience, energy and people," he explains. Mirna Božić, COO of the group.
Membership will include access to exclusive events, community activities and networking meetings. The number of members will be limited, and the community will be carefully built around entrepreneurs, professionals, creatives and people looking for more than just a classic sports subscription.
An investment that aims higher than one location
The project in Jankomir is only the first phase of a broader development strategy. The plan includes six locations in Croatia, with three of them already secured and in the preparation or development phase, according to the developers.
Total investment worth more than 20 million euros, ranks the project among the largest private investments in the premium sports-wellness and lifestyle segment in the region. The long-term plan also includes expansion into European markets, with Zagreb serving as the starting point for brand development.
"We believe that Zagreb has the potential to become a regional center of modern lifestyle and wellness culture. We want to develop an internationally recognized premium brand that was created right here," adds Robert Bukvić.
Zagreb as a new regional lifestyle spot?
If the project is implemented to the announced extent, Zagreb could become an interesting regional hotspot for premium sports and wellness culture in the coming years. Not only as a city of good restaurants, festivals and an increasingly vibrant business scene, but also as a place where health, networking and leisure are intertwined into a modern urban experience.
The opening of the first location is planned for autumn 2026 in JankomirAnd if the concept proves successful, it may be the beginning of a new generation of clubs that measure not only the number of repetitions in training, but also the quality of the people, conversations and ideas that arise between one match point and one espresso.
