The Falls Church Planning Commission tonight gave its unanimous thumbs up to the site plan for conversion of the former Syms site at 1000 E. Broad Street into a 24 hour fitness facility, replete with pool and basketball court, slated to open in early 2012.

The existing building will be renovated and expanded to 47,500 square feet that will include outdoor architectural renovations, with a swimming pool on the first floor and the rear of the second floor extended to accommodate a basketball court. The facility, once opened to the public, will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Among other things, the plan approved tonight includes an easement to the City for a “gateway feature” on the 7-Corners end of the property, improved sidewalks at the intersection of E. Broad and Roosevelt St., and an improved bus stop with ADA compliant features on E. Broad beside the property. Improvements on the existing building are already underway, according to Kevin Workman, real estate director for the 24 Hour Fitness company, based in Dallas, Texas.

Former Falls Church City Manager David R. Lasso represented 24 Hour Fitness at tonight’s hearing