To read it as a 3-min blog
To watch is as a video
subscribe to the Ivy Group’s newsletter
Launching or leasing a commercial recreation property isn’t simple. Industrial zones rarely welcome “places of assembly,” traffic concerns trigger city pushback, and property modifications can feel insurmountable. Yet when handled with expertise, these challenges become milestones on the path to success.
This episode spotlights The Ivy Group’s role in bringing a visionary client’s dream to life in Fremont, California—a city with a strong community fabric, growing demand for youth sports, and tough municipal regulations.
The client, a former Olympic-level badminton player, envisioned creating the Bay Area’s largest indoor badminton academy. Fremont was the perfect location: affordable industrial space, ceilings high enough for competitive play, and demographics supportive of badminton’s popularity. But turning that vision into a fully operational recreation property required more than finding a warehouse. It demanded strategic navigation through zoning, permits, and safety approvals that had never been granted before in Fremont.
The warehouse identified by The Ivy Group sat in an industrial zone—territory typically reserved for manufacturing and distribution. Fremont required a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for any indoor recreational facility in such zones. At that time, no recreation property had ever been approved in this context.
The Ivy Group led the CUP process end to end: drafting detailed proposals, building operational plans, and addressing city concerns about traffic, safety, and parking overflow. With persistence, they moved the application from staff review through planning commission and city council, eventually securing approval after a full year.
City officials worried about locating a place of assembly next to the Tesla plant and active rail lines. The Ivy Group responded by commissioning certified traffic studies, designing evacuation plans, and installing safety film on windows to prevent shattering. Every detail was documented to reassure decision makers and protect the young athletes expected to use the facility. Parking was another hurdle—weekend tournaments could bring 100+ attendees. The Ivy Group addressed it with formal studies and solutions integrated into the business plan.
The warehouse itself wasn’t turnkey. A massive transformer sat in the middle of the floor, obstructing viable court layouts. The Ivy Group negotiated with the landlord to have it relocated—a $30,000 cost absorbed by ownership. They also secured a 10-year lease with a 5-year renewal, providing long-term stability for the client and guaranteed income for the landlord.
In 2019, California Badminton Academy opened its doors as the Bay Area’s largest badminton facility. The outcomes rippled outward:
For the client: a lifelong dream fulfilled, backed by a business model poised for growth.
For the landlord: a once-vacant warehouse converted into a high-value, long-term tenancy.
For the community: a premier recreational facility fostering youth development and athletic excellence.
For Fremont: new tax revenues, stronger community amenities, and national recognition.
The Ivy Group’s success didn’t end with badminton. Soon after, HoopSphere Basketball Academy turned to them for representation in Fremont. Thanks to the precedent set with the CUP, the city rezoned the district into the Warm Springs Innovation District, streamlining approvals. Now recreational properties could be permitted by right, with a simpler Zoning Administrative Permit (ZAP) process. What once took a year could now be achieved in weeks.
This momentum created a model for future indoor recreational properties—from basketball and gymnastics to swimming schools and batting cages. The Ivy Group became the go-to brokerage for navigating zoning, securing permits, and negotiating deals for complex recreational facilities.
The Fremont case study shows how brokerage is more than just finding space. Success requires:
Zoning expertise: identifying properties that can realistically secure approvals.
Municipal navigation: building city support and addressing safety concerns proactively.
Traffic studies & parking solutions: anticipating community impact and proving viability.
Negotiation leverage: securing concessions from landlords that directly impact usability.
Where other brokers may have walked away, The Ivy Group leaned in—aligning strategy with the client’s dream, city goals, and market realities.
Led by Tim Vi Tran, SIOR, CCIM, The Ivy Group brings more than 100 years of combined experience in real estate, investment, technology, and engineering. Their track record proves that with the right guidance, even the toughest recreation property challenges—zoning, permits, safety, and property modifications—can lead to market-defining results.
If you’re looking to buy, sell, or lease a recreation property or commercial space in Fremont, Silicon Valley, or the Bay Area, The Ivy Group is ready to help you turn vision into reality.
Subscribe to The Ivy Group podcast and newsletter for upcoming stories on how strategic brokerage, zoning expertise, and smart negotiation shape the future of commercial real estate.
📌 Subscribe to our newsletter: https://theivygroup.substack.com/
When you need to sell, buy, or lease a commercial property, or simply want to have an investment consultation, the Ivy Group is ready to help you reach your goals with more than 100 years of combined experience and expertise in real estate, investment, technology and engineering. Contact us with your next real estate needs:https://theivygroup.com/contact-us/
📌 Visit our website: https://theivygroup.com/
Copyright ©️ 2025 by Tim Vi Tran. All rights reserved.
Download
