Condo association sues River North CrossFit over noise, vibrations

A River North condo association has asked a judge to force a local CrossFit gym to stop making noise and vibrations or get it banned from operating in the building altogether.

630 N. Franklin Condominium Association filed suit earlier this month in the Cook County Circuit Court against River North LLC, doing business as River North CrossFit, and 300 Land Investors LLC. accusing the gym of creating a nuisance and its landlord of breaching their contract.

CrossFit operates its high intensity fitness gym from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily on the first floor of the association's 12-story, 165-unit building at 330 w. Ontario St. It rents the commercial space from 300 Land Investors and has been there since at least 2011.

The association's lawsuit details years of complaints it claims its residents have made about the gym, including allegations noise from music and members working out has woke them up and vibrations from dropping weights have knocked fixtures off their walls.

According to the association, it has had several discussions with both defendants since about 2011 and both have failed to come up with a permanent solution to resolve residents' complaints.

While the association experienced a brief period of time without any complaints based on the gym's use of extra mats and padding, as well as other measures, the suit says the noise and vibrations eventually return, along with resident complaints.

The alleged disturbances created by CrossFit has interfered "with the residents use and enjoyment of their units," and has caused the association to lose tenants, the suit alleges.

The Feb. 6 complaint includes a nuisance count against CrossFit and a breach of contract coutn against 300 Land Investors.

The association seeks a court order requiring 300 Land Investors to eliminate noise and vibration issues coming from its tenant's gym or in the alternative, an order terminating the lease between 300 Land Investors and CrossFit.

Chicago attorney Kelly C. Elmore of Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit filed the suit on behalf of the association.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 2015CH02162.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt and represents only one side of the story.