Breathe Barre Pilates and BlackBrick redefine modern movement

In a city where wellness studios are plentiful and hotel gyms often feel like an afterthought, Breathe Barre Pilates at BlackBrick Gardens offers something genuinely different. This is not wellness as a checkbox, nor tech for tech’s sake. It’s a considered fusion of movement, technology and human connection – designed for how people actually live, travel and work today.

Founded by sisters, Fiona and Laura Barford, Breathe Barre grew from a desire to create something more intentional than the conventional studio model. “Breathe Barre arose from my love of helping people move better and feel more connected to their bodies,” says Fiona. “I noticed a gap for a community-based space – the kind I’d experienced overseas. When I couldn’t find it locally, I decided to create it myself.”

That emphasis on education, empowerment and connection has remained central to the brand’s DNA. As Laura explains, “Whether it’s guiding someone through injury recovery or watching clients grow stronger through consistent practice, we’ve always loved helping people understand their bodies and move with greater awareness, strength and ease.”

Why BlackBrick?

The partnership with BlackBrick Gardens didn’t come from a pitch deck or a trend forecast. It evolved from lived experience. “Jonathan Liebmann, the co-founder of BlackBrick, has been a long-term Breathe Barre client,” Fiona explains. “He truly fell in love with Pilates and the impact it had on his body and wellbeing. When he shared his vision for BlackBrick Gardens with us, it sparked real excitement – and plenty of brainstorming.”

“Once we visited the building and learned more about its history and the broader vision for the space, the partnership felt like a natural fit.” For Jonathan Liebmann, founder of BlackBrick, wellness was never meant to be an add-on. “BlackBrick is about creating ecosystems, not just places to stay,” he says. “Wellness, like design and community, needs to be embedded into how people live day-to-day. Breathe Barre understands that balance between innovation and humanity – and that’s what makes this collaboration so powerful.”

A studio without rigid rules

At BlackBrick Gardens, the Breathe Barre offering centres on pre-recorded, self-led reformer Pilates classes, running daily from morning to evening and catering for beginners through to advanced movers. “The experience is completely self-guided,” Laura explains. “It allows guests to move at their own pace, on their own schedule, while still enjoying the benefits of mindful movement, strength and body awareness during their stay.”

The decision to lean into technology wasn’t about removing instructors – it was about extending access. “Our in-person classes and private sessions are always fully tailored, but that level of personal attention can’t exist around the clock,” says Fiona. “So, we asked ourselves: how do we bring the Breathe Barre experience to people who are travelling or looking for flexibility? The answer was virtual, on-demand classes that still feel guided, calm and empowering.”

Tech that supports, not replaces

In an era where wellness apps abound, Breathe Barre has been careful not to lose the human thread. “Tech will never replace human connection and we don’t want it to,” says Laura. “Our first priority is always safety, followed closely by making sure guests still felt supported and seen.”

Importantly, the wider BlackBrick team plays an active role in that experience – checking in with guests, offering guidance and maintaining a sense of care beyond the screen. “For us, technology isn’t about replacing people,” Laura adds. “It’s about supporting them.”

The studio itself mirrors this philosophy: minimalist, light-filled and quietly grounding. “Creating a calm, considered environment is at the heart of our ethos,” Fiona explains. “When the space feels calm, people can show up more fully for themselves.” That sense of presence is amplified during sunrise Pilates sessions on the rooftop terrace, where the city slowly wakes below. “Being outdoors, above the city, creates a sense of perspective you don’t always get indoors,” says Fiona. “It changes the energy of the practice completely.”

Grounding people on the move

For BlackBrick’s community of long-stay guests, creatives and digital nomads, routine becomes an anchor. “Movement helps shift energy out of the head and back into the body,” says Laura. “That can be a real game-changer when you’re constantly on the move.”

In the end, Breathe Barre at BlackBrick Gardens is less about novelty and more about intention. As Fiona and Laura put it simply: “It isn’t just a studio – it’s a new way to move.”

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