A new female-focused fitness studio is planning to come to Evanston, joining a number of workout spaces already in the area.

The Barre Code, a studio that provides cardio, strength training and restoration classes, received approval from the Site Plan and Appearance Review Committee on Wednesday. The location has plans to open at 604 Davis St. in January.

Kate Dalcamo, an instructor and studio manager at other Barre Code studios, is the owner of the new location. She said she decided to bring the workout studio to Evanston because of how active the town has become.

“Evanston has really been blowing up, with all of the bars and restaurants that are coming to the city,” Dalcamo said. “It’s almost like an extension of Chicago rather than just a suburb. Expanding there seemed like a good idea and the next step.”

Dalcamo said she started taking classes at The Barre Code a couple of years ago and eventually moved up to work as the studio manager at the Lincoln Park and Gold Coast locations. When the company started offering franchise opportunities, she applied and was approved to open her own studio.

“There are a lot of boutique workout places that offer mostly cardio and if you want something else, you have your main gym,” she said. “I would never classify (The Barre Code) as just a barre studio. We are more of a one-stop shop where you can get your barre, yoga and cardio all in one place.”

The Barre Code would add to Evanston’s great preexisting fitness choices, Paul Zalmezak, the city’s senior economic development coordinator, said in an email to The Daily.

“The Barre Code offers another high quality health and wellness option to Evanston,” he said in the email. “The property owner, Adas/Spatz Properties, does a great job pursuing high quality tenants. I expect this will be another success for them.”

Dalcamo said most of her previous clients have been students and women in their early twenties to thirties, a group of people she said she hopes to attract in Evanston.

“I’ve realized that Evanston consists of a lot of these people,” she said “The Barre Code just has such a positive and supportive atmosphere that I hope we can bring to them.”

Mark Muenzer, the city’s director of community development, said he thinks it’s great that fitness studios such as The Barre Code are moving to the city. The place will certainly appeal to the area’s residents, he said.

“These fitness facilities cater to the different people who live and work in Evanston,” he said. “It shows that downtown Evanston is really starting to have a lot of different uses.”

Dalcamo said she is looking forward to the studio becoming part of the community and is really excited to become more involved. She said she hopes that people will see it as the perfect place to go for all of their fitness training.

“I’ve made some of my greatest friendships while working here, either with clients, instructors or other employees,” she said. “I’m hoping that I’ll be able to provide that for others at our new location.”

With the recommendation from SPAARC, The Barre Code will appear in front of the Zoning Board of Appeals on Tuesday. If passed, it will appear in front of City Council for final approval.

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