Statement of Health & Fitness Association on the Death of East Bank Club Founder Daniel Levin

BOSTON, MA-January 16, 2025-​​Daniel Levin, who founded the East Bank Club in Chicago in 1980, died on January 11 at the age of 94. He also co-founded The Habitat Company, a real estate development and property management company that created nearly 25,000 rental and condominium housing units for people of all incomes under his leadership.

His philosophy was to treat every resident with the same level of commitment and to remember that every project is not simply an investment in real estate, but an investment in the future of the neighborhood and the lives of its residents. That philosophy was also true at East Bank Club, where his vision was to build a community within a health club. Over the last 20 years, that community expanded to four high-rise residential buildings and a development of townhouses immediately surrounding East Bank Club.

He is survived by his wife, Fay Hartog-Levin, a former US ambassador to the Netherlands, along with three children, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Health & Fitness Association President and CEO Liz Clark released the following statement about Levin:

"Daniel Levin was a visionary who built on his success in real estate to revitalize a former rail yard in downtown Chicago that became the East Bank Club. When he purchased the land in 1973, the area suffered from disinvestment, like many urban areas at the time, and there was skepticism that people would want to live there. Instead, he envisioned a whole new model of a downtown fitness and lifestyle facility. After opening in 1980, it became a nationally recognized brand, but Levin did not want to expand, instead focusing on providing excellent service and reinvesting in the 350,000 square-foot facility.

"Daniel was dedicated to his community, engaged with civic leaders and national politicians alike, and brought a spirit of energy and growth to the health and fitness industry at large.

"He was a friend to his competitors, a mentor to generations of rising industry leaders, and an inspiration to his colleagues.

"I had the honor of meeting him this past fall when I visited his amazing East Bank Club, and I will always remember his warmth, energy, and humility.

He leaves the East Bank Club in the very capable hands of CEO Mel Kleist."

More details can be found in Levin's obituary. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for contributions to WFMT, Chicago's classical music station.

His funeral service will be private.

About the Health & Fitness Association

The Health & Fitness Association (formerly IHRSA), a global community of industry leaders, is the only worldwide trade association providing a unified voice for the community of leaders who operate health and fitness facilities, offer professional guidance on physical activity, and provide the tools and equipment to do so to the millions of fitness facility members who understand that exercise improves their physical and mental health.

Through advocacy, education, and research, the association speaks to opportunities, challenges, and changes that are moving the industry into a new era.

Founded in 1981, the association publishes a monthly magazine, Club Business International, and operates The HFA Show and the European Congress. Follow the Health & Fitness Association on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.