David Lloyd Clubs set a new standard on the roof
In Sterrebeek, a suburb of Brussels, a sports club has emerged that quite literally rises above the rest. Known for its forward-thinking approach to sport and lifestyle, David Lloyd Clubs demonstrates at this new location how smart spatial design can foster a healthier, more connected and future-proof urban environment.
The power of the roof as opportunity space
In many cities, rooftops remain overlooked, reserved for technical installations, solar panels or left completely unused. But in Sterrebeek, the rooftop has been reimagined as a fully functional sports environment. Featuring two all-weather tennis courts, a padel court and a stylish rooftop lounge, this club proves that sport at height is no longer a fantasy but a tangible reality.
Here, the rooftop becomes more than just an architectural feature. It transforms into a space for movement, social connection and relaxation. It enhances the building's overall experience and value. While other developments cite a lack of space as a constraint, David Lloyd shows that rooftops offer untapped potential for health, interaction and beauty.
Architecture that invites movement
The club was designed by renowned architecture firm WATG, globally recognised for its hospitality and leisure projects. Their philosophy: outdoor space is not a limitation but an opportunity to foster human connection. That ethos comes to life on the rooftop, which isn’t a decorative afterthought but a central element of the club’s design.
From the rooftop garden, visitors can enjoy sweeping views of the green outskirts of Brussels and nearby golf courses. The lounge and seating areas encourage both relaxation and spontaneous social encounters. Meanwhile, with sports on top, the interior still accommodates a full suite of amenities: fitness, wellness, DL Kids programs, childcare and hospitality.
Not a gimmick, a glimpse of the future
Where many rooftop terraces remain underutilised or purely aesthetic, Sterrebeek offers a blueprint for multifunctionality. Here, people don’t just exercise, they connect, work, care and celebrate. With padel courts, a business lounge, children’s programming and event space, the rooftop becomes a dynamic urban hub blending sport, leisure, family life and professional engagement.
Through this approach, David Lloyd Clubs is redefining itself, not just as a gym, but as a true lifestyle destination. The rooftop investment is a strategic move, part of a broader vision to transform its clubs into centres of health, connection and community.
An inspiration for other cities
What can other European cities learn from this? Quite a lot. Many municipalities are facing similar challenges: a shortage of sports facilities, limited space, growing health concerns and declining participation in sports. Rooftops offer a unique opportunity to address these issues in a smart and integrated way.
"Tennis on the roof? For David Lloyd, it's not a dream, it's part of the daily routine."
Imagine tennis courts on top of shopping centres. Basketball courts above parking garages. Climbing walls built into hospitals. Urban fitness zones in schools. Or community centres and libraries with sports roofs. What was realised in Sterrebeek through private investment could also be achieved elsewhere through public-private partnerships and close collaboration between municipalities, developers, architects and sports associations.
More than just sports: creating value on every level
What makes the Sterrebeek project so unique isn’t just the innovative design, or the fact that tennis is played at height. It’s the social impact. This rooftop brings exercise, relaxation and connection together in a single space. And that delivers benefits on multiple levels:
✔ Efficient use of space The roof is no longer an afterthought, but an active opportunity space. Without claiming extra land, it creates room for sport, socialising and wellbeing. In cities where land is scarce and expensive, that’s both an economic and strategic advantage.
✔ Health closer to home By embedding sport and leisure directly into living and working environments, we lower the barriers to participation. No travel time, no excuses. People can play tennis during their lunch break, before or after work, or even between meetings.
✔ Community building and inclusion This rooftop becomes a social hub. From morning tennis matches to family tournaments, networking events to youth training programmes, it brings people together. Locals and visitors, young and old.
✔ Iconic urban identity Let’s face it, the eye wants something too. A rooftop like this becomes a landmark, a visual symbol of progress. It’s no longer a grey surface filled with HVAC systems, but a bold statement: this is a city that prioritises health, movement and connection.
Rooftops as an answer to urban scarcity
David Lloyd Sterrebeek is not the exception, it’s the preview. It shows how cities can innovate vertically rather than sprawl outward. A fully functional sports infrastructure has been added, without taking up a single extra square metre of land.
Now imagine this:
- Tennis courts above shopping centres
- Basketball courts over parking decks
- Climbing walls integrated into hospitals
- Rooftop gyms at high schools or universities
- Training spaces on top of libraries, community centres or town halls
These ideas aren’t utopian. With the right combination of public-private partnerships, ambitious design, political will and civic engagement, any city can take sport and vitality to the next level, literally.
Marcel de Visser Co-Founder of Sports + Vitality