Calm, the meditation and relaxation tech startup featuring a medley of celebrity voices, has laid off a fifth of its staff. The company is headquartered in San Francisco and employs around 400 people, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The affected employees were laid off Thursday, a company spokesperson told SFGATE. Laid-off employees were notified in one-on-one meetings, according to a company-wide message.

“While some of you will be impacted, all of you will be affected,” Calm CEO David Ko said in the message Thursday. “I can assure you that this was not an easy decision, but it is especially difficult for a company like ours whose mission is focused on workplace mental health and wellness.”

Calm, like direct competitor Headspace and digital therapy services like BetterHelp and Talkspace, capitalized on the recent uptick in demand for mental health care and wellness — a demand that was only intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. But Calm’s big draw over its competitors was its reliance on mega-celebrities, from boy-bander turned pop dreamboat Harry Styles to actor Matthew McConaughey, to read “sleep stories” on the platform.

By 2020, it was valued at $2 billion — making it one of the largest unicorns in the mental health tech space. But it, too, has been forced to pare back as a more-constrained tech industry has seen demand drop after profits — and hiring — soared during the pandemic.

“We did not come to this decision lightly, but are confident that these changes will help us prioritize the future, focus on growth and become a more efficient organization,” Ko said.

A spokesperson did not provide additional details on laid-off employees’ severance packages.

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Although few exceptional hotels offer exactly the same amenities – some have Michelin-starred restaurants while others have multi-story fitness centers – most of the renowned resorts have spas with unique treatments. After all, mineral facials and crystal detox are a coveted luxury that makes every vacation even more beautiful. However, there’s no reason residential buildings can’t offer wellness experiences on par with some of the world’s most enticing hotels. Fortunately, ultra-modern high-rise buildings have established themselves along both coasts in the USA and the rooms have been equipped with exceptional wellness amenities.

With everything including halotherapy salt bays in the Himalayas and meditation rooms with Bianco Dolomiti-honed walls, these residences make a strong case for holistic stays that don’t venture outside – unless it’s a well-tended rooftop garden. From West 28th Street in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood to De Longpre Avenue in Hollywood, these towering towers won’t be around for long.

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Photo: Williams New York courtesy of HAP Investment Developers

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Located on West 28th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues in Chelsea, Maverick is shaking up the historic district. DXA Studio, the architects behind Maverick’s unique design, did not neglect any detail – especially when it comes to the eye-catching facade. Eye-catching white-framed windows, some of which are 1.5 by 2 meters high, have metallic bronze inlays that make the golden hour even more dramatic. The charming Julia balconies blur the line between inside and outside.

Maverick may be a minimalist, design-centric structure, but the real appeal lies in its focus on wellness. There is an 18-meter lap pool on the lower levels of the building; a sanctuary with pink Himalayan salt meditation and massage and steam baths; a fitness center; and a sauna. On the 1,900 square meter roof you will find a summer kitchen with pizza oven, smoker and grill with integrated rotisserie; a dining area covered by a stylish trellis; a beach lounge with sun loungers and parasols and a cozy fire garden for outdoor wine tastings.

The story goes on

Not to mention, there is a lot of emphasis on spirituality and mental health thanks to the Spiritual Concierge, a service that connects residents with a trusted source – a shaman, for example – services like sound baths, hypnotherapy, reiki, and a pre-move blessing .

Fifteen Hudson Yards

Photo: Related-Oxford

Fifteen Hudson Yards

Hudson Yards, a collection of ultra-luxurious skyscrapers with top floors sometimes streaking with clouds, is one of New York City’s hottest new neighborhoods. The residence has an impressive array of amenities including priority reservations and seating in nearby gastronomic concepts (Estiatorio Milos from chef Costas Spiliadis and Mercado Little Spain from Spanish chef José Andrés), in-residence dining, private chef service, certified sommelier Managed wine cellar and wellness offers on site. Overall, Fifteen Hudson Yards is a sky-high oasis celebrating wellness. In fact, the entire 50th floor (the building has 88) is entirely dedicated to wellness, in the form of a 3,500 square meter fitness center.

In addition to the private studio for yoga, stretching and group fitness classes, there is also an extensive water sports center with city and river views. Whether residents opt for the 75-foot, three-lane swimming pool, lounge areas, poolside shower or hot tub, they will look forward to unparalleled relaxation.

Santa Monica Park

Photo: Wittkoff

Santa Monica Park

Santa Monica Park, which opens this fall, celebrates the outdoors on a grand scale – especially at the 1-acre rooftop park, which is divided into four different sections. The first is the Field, an expansive lawn designed for event programs, film screenings, and fitness classes. There’s also an outdoor fitness area with plyometrics, HIIT training, battle ropes, ladder walls, and torque tanks. The second section, the garden, is a complete jungle of trees, flowers and plants and creates a comfortable environment for working from home. The third section, called Oasis, has a heated pool, cabanas, lounge chairs, play area, and private bar. The final section, the farm, includes a curated fruit and vegetable garden, sunset swings, outdoor kitchen and family-style dining area, dog park and care stations. Santa Monica Park residents will likely spend more time on the rooftop than in their homes.

Choir

Photo: align living

Choir

San Francisco’s Chorus is home to the City Ballet and Chorus Hall – a new performing arts venue with 227 seats and front row seats for residents. Complete with panel units, retro-inspired SMEG series, wide wooden floorboards and the first 20G Internet of its kind, the residences are the epitome of upscale living. Aside from the fitness center, which hosts 11 rotating free group classes per week (led by former San Francisco 49er linebacker Corey Lemonier), Chorus’s Reputation is the American Ninja Warrior-inspired workout class that comes with a two-and-a-half meter warped wall and an octagonal arena for performance training with Lemonier.

Originally published on Architectural Digest

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