High Tensions
Local climbing gyms locked in public feud over South Austin space
Crux says ABP negotiated behind their back, but ABP denies interfering.
Austin's climbing community has been rocked by a real estate dispute between two gyms.
In a social media post on Tuesday, Crux Climbing Center claimed that The Bouldering Project - Austin (ABP) negotiated with the landlord of Crux's South Austin location without their knowledge.
"It's honestly beyond heartbreaking to learn that another climbing business would do this to us. We are the ONLY local climbing gym in Austin," Crux wrote in the post, adding that, "There is room in Austin for multiple climbing gyms, and this was unnecessary."
Crux said it will have to let go of some of its employees, but it plans to create "something better" at a new location.
But ABP says Crux's claim isn't accurate.
In its own social media post on Wednesday, the climbing gym said that it is excited to add a third location in Austin, but felt it needed to address Crux's comments.
ABP said in 2022, Crux publicly shared plans to relocate its Pickle Road gym and, more recently, the landlord told ABP that Crux declined his terms to remain at that location, so he offered the space to ABP.
"We’ve always wanted to provide roped climbing to our members, so we signed a lease for the space. ABP did not interfere with the relationship between Crux and their landlord," the gym said. "We’re surprised by Crux’s response, given their plan all along was to close and relocate."
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Read the full story and watch the video at KVUE.com.
