ACTON, MA — btone FITNESS, the fast-growing boutique fitness brand known for its unique blend of Pilates-inspired movements and strength training, has officially opened its newest studio in Acton, Massachusetts. Located at 389 Massachusetts Avenue in the Acton Plaza, the 2,200-square-foot space is one of the largest in the btone portfolio. A grand opening celebration is scheduled for the weekend of July 11.
The Acton location is owned and operated by Suzanne Thornfeldt, a seasoned btone studio owner and Wayland resident. Thornfeldt, a former Division I athlete, already owns the successful btone Wayland location and brings years of experience as an instructor and brand ambassador. She says the Acton studio fills a much-needed niche in the community.
“Acton just feels like the perfect home for a new btone FITNESS studio,” said Thornfeldt. “There’s nothing else like it in the market, and our location in the Acton Plaza can’t be beat. We look forward to welcoming neighbors, friends, and new clients to discover what makes btone so different.”
The new studio features 12 customized reformers, exclusive to btone FITNESS and affectionately known as TONEy. These machines allow clients to modify resistance and positioning, delivering a highly personalized, full-body workout in just 45 minutes. The signature TONE class blends functional movement, strength training, and Pilates-inspired exercises, designed for people of all fitness levels. The Acton location will also offer ample parking and childcare services for added convenience.
Founded by Jody Merrill, btone FITNESS has experienced rapid expansion in recent years. Starting with seven locations in 2022, the company grew to 22 by the end of 2024. With 23 studios now open and 19 franchise partners across the U.S., Merrill says the brand is on track to operate nearly 40 locations nationwide by the end of 2025.
“Our goal is to bring smart, efficient fitness to more communities—and Acton is a key part of that growth,” said Merrill. “We combine the principles of Pilates with modern strength training and functional movement for maximum results. This is the 45-minute workout people don’t want to miss.”
btone FITNESS studios are currently located throughout New England, including in Boston, Hartford, and Providence, with new locations opening soon in Dorchester, Southborough, Newport, East Greenwich, and Portland, Maine. Additional markets being scouted include New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Florida, and Pennsylvania.
NEW HAVEN, Conn.— Institutional Property Advisors (IPA), a division of Marcus & Millichap (NYSE:MMI) that serves institutional real estate clients, announced the sale of a four-property multifamily portfolio in Central and Southeast Connecticut for $121 million. The portfolio includes 693 market-rate units spread across New Haven, Hartford, and New London counties.
The seller, Sun Equity Partners, was represented by Victor Nolletti, Executive Managing Director at IPA, along with Eric Pentore and Wes Klockner. The buyer, FPA Multifamily LLC, a national real estate investment firm, was also procured by IPA.
“This 100% market-rate suburban portfolio is located in the most resilient segment of Connecticut’s multifamily market where well-located Class B to B+ assets continue to consistently deliver high occupancy, steady rent growth, and strong cash flow,” said Nolletti. “The portfolio provides immediate scale, operational efficiency, and significant revenue upside potential.”
The four properties in the portfolio are:
New Cambridge – 208 units, built in 1969, located in Bristol
Silvertree – 180 units, built in 1976, located in Wallingford
Peppertree – 205 units, built in 1975, located in Groton
Huntington Ridge – 100 units, built in 2004, located in Norwich
The portfolio benefits from its proximity to major Connecticut employers, including General Dynamics Electric Boat, ESPN, Pfizer, Bristol Hospital, and Lawrence + Memorial Hospital. Each property features a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments, positioned to serve a broad demographic of renters.
The sale underscores strong investor demand for quality suburban multifamily assets in the Northeast, especially in locations with durable job markets and limited new supply.
This transaction marks another significant deal in IPA’s track record of handling large-scale multifamily portfolios, reinforcing the firm’s presence in the Connecticut and broader New England markets.