‘Nordic-inspired’ bath house to bring hot saunas, cold plunge pools to Durham
Durham is getting a Nordic-inspired bath house next summer on the edge of downtown.
Visitors to Sauna House, 326 W. Geer St., will be able to sweat it out in a wood-paneled sauna before taking a dip in a cold plunge, where temperatures will stay below 50 degrees.
“We want people to come in and do that hot-cold-relax circuit,” said founder and CEO Andrew Lachlan.
He said they’re hoping to create a “really inviting third place.”
A third place is anywhere community members gather outside of home and work, which are considered the first and second places. Lachlan, who is 11 years sober, said it’s important to have third places that aren’t bars.
“It’s a safe spot where you can come in for a couple hours and put down the digital distractions and strike up a conversation with friends,” Lachlan said. “You can get a healthy dopamine high without alcohol.”
The company’s flagship location in Asheville — where a two-hour visit costs $40 — opened nearly five years ago. A Charlotte location is also planned for 2024, and several others around the United States will be franchised in the next few years.
Sauna House secured a 10-year lease in Old North Durham. The 1949 building is about 7,000 square feet, with exposed brick, high ceilings and plenty of natural light. Cast concrete furniture will round out the minimalist space.
“It’s an amazing property for us. We’ve been looking in Durham since 2019,” Lachlan said.
Durham will have twice the capacity of the Asheville spa, accommodating 50 people at once.
The two cold plunge pools will each measure 6 feet by 23 feet. There will be a variety of saunas with varying temperature, lighting and humidity settings. Most will be shared spaces, but a couple of private rooms are planned. Swimsuits are required throughout.
They’re targeting early summer 2024 for the grand opening.
This story was originally published November 28, 2023 at 11:16 AM with the headline "‘Nordic-inspired’ bath house to bring hot saunas, cold plunge pools to Durham."
