Equinox, Owner of SoulCycle, Said In Merger Talks With Ares SPAC

Equinox, whose gyms are frequented by Wall Street staffers among others, is in talks to go public through a merger with Ares Acquisition Corp. after talks with one of Chamath Palihapitiya’s blank-check companies collapsed, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Deliberations are ongoing and may not result in a transaction, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing private information. The valuation couldn’t be learned.

Representatives for Ares and Equinox declined to comment.

Ares Acquisition raised $1 billion in its February initial public offering. It is backed by Ares Management Corp., an alternative asset manager. ...