LAKEWOOD, Ohio — An unprecedented LGBTQ complex in Lakewood is making its grand debut to the public this weekend.
Studio West 117, near the corner of Hird and Detroit avenues, features entertainment, dining, and sports.
The biggest component of the complex, the Fieldhouse, includes a 5,000 square foot gymnasium and three restaurants — Muze, Trellis, and Eat Me Pizza.
“We really just wanted something that was very comfortable for folks,” said Daniel Budish, who founded Studio West 117 with Betsy Figgie.
The Fieldhouse also includes an outdoor courtyard, featuring a rock-climbing wall, a demonstration kitchen, and Lakewood’s only rooftop bar.
Budish said the facility will also be home to a wide variety of shows, including drag brunch and Broadway.
The gymnasium will include LGBTQ+ youth and adult sports leagues, senior fitness classes, and group fitness classes.
“[It’ll include] everything from pickleball to volleyball to volleyball, dodgeball, basketball, badminton,” Budish said.
The detail at Studio West 117 is impeccable. Walls of The Fieldhouse are lined with art, including various murals.
“What you’re seeing are images, silhouettes of folks from our LGBT community here,” Budish said, showing off the murals inside the gymnasium.
The facility also includes an art gallery.
“Some of these works are for sale. We wanted to provide revenue generating opportunities for these artists,” Budish said.
This entire facility also pays homage to what once occupied it. Before the Fieldhouse was the Fieldhouse, it was a safety-glass manufacturing facility.
“We really wanted to preserve the character of the former industrial heritage, so we saved and salvaged as much as we could,” Budish said, who noted that the concrete flooring and some of the windows were taken from the manufacturing facility and repurposed.
Budish said there’s much more planned to come for this space in the future, including additional entertainment, retail, medical and residential properties specifically designed to support the LGBTQ community and LGBTQ business owners and nonprofit partner agencies.
A list of grand opening events can be found on the Studio West 117 website.
