Biom is preparing to introduce a new social lounge experience to Ottawa’s Chinatown, where the upcoming wellness club will offer members a place to connect after spending time in its sauna and cold plunge facilities. Located at the former Oriental Chu Shing restaurant at 1400 Somerset St. W., the nearly 8,000-square-foot space is expected to open in November, as reported by the Ottawa Business Journal.
The lounge is an important part of the concept developed by founders Santiago Pérez and Alicia Ouskine, who wanted to create a space that brings people together through wellness rather than traditional nightlife. According to the publication, members will be able to relax in the lounge after their scheduled sauna and cold plunge sessions, with tea and mocktails available as part of the experience.
Beyond providing a place to unwind, the lounge is intended to support the community-focused atmosphere Pérez and Ouskine want to establish. The founders envision Biom as a gathering place for people who prioritize their well-being and want opportunities to meet others with similar interests. Pérez described the concept to the Ottawa Business Journal as a healthy alternative to nightlife, with community at the center of the experience.
Memberships are priced at $300 per month, with the founders initially aiming to cap membership at approximately 300 people. The Ottawa Business Journal reported that the team is also considering introducing drop-in passes before the end of the year.
Biom is also developing a founding-member community that includes creatives, artists, entrepreneurs, athletes and other local contributors. These members will have opportunities to use the space as a gathering point and host events, according to Pérez’s interview with the Ottawa Business Journal.
The lounge forms part of the founders’ broader vision of creating a welcoming social destination in Ottawa, where the experience extends beyond wellness treatments to include connection, conversation and community.
