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21C Hotel - Former Downtown YMCA Building

21C Hotel - Former Downtown YMCA Building

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PostMar 25, 2014#1

I see the KC Y is pursuing a pretty sleek facility downtown:
http://www.kansascity.com/2014/02/27/48 ... track.html

According to an earlier prospectus prepared by the YMCA, programs at the 100,000-square-foot facility would include a healthy-living center where downtown corporations could send employees for classes, programs for teens, a summer day camp and a licensed early childhood education center for 100 children.

The proposed facility would include three swimming pools, large gymnasiums, locker rooms, saunas and therapeutic massage rooms, classrooms, a cafe, meeting rooms, a rooftop garden and courtyard, and a 500-space garage. About 100 employees would work there.

The planned project would mark the return of the YMCA, at least in a major way, to downtown Kansas City after a long absence. The original downtown YMCA opened in 1907 at 10th and Oak streets and operated until 1981. The seven-story building was torn down in 1999 to make way for Ilus W. Davis Park.

The Y has operated a 20,000-square-foot facility in the Quality Hill area of downtown since 1989, but it’s geared toward adult fitness activities. The proposed new downtown Y is intended to be a community center as much as a fitness and recreation facility.

“This will be more than a gym and swim or place to work out,” Byrd said. “It will have many programs to offer people in the downtown area.”

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2014/02/27/48 ... rylink=cpy

Seems pretty cool and I could see something like this really working in our downtown.

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PostMar 25, 2014#2

I've never been to the downtown STL Y, but I'm told it's pretty bare bones and could stand to use a lot of work. Any drives in place to make that happen?

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PostMar 25, 2014#3

^ Yeah, I think it is in a pretty aged state but I have no idea on future capital campaign drives.... a new building would require a lot of support from fundraising but could be a nice payoff for downtown and the community at large.

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PostMar 26, 2014#4

Anyone have any insight on why the upper floors aren't being used for residential anymore?

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PostMar 26, 2014#5

^ good question.... I'm not even sure the Y owns those floors any longer after they were outsourced to the senior housing.

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PostMar 26, 2014#6

roger wyoming II wrote:^ good question.... I'm not even sure the Y owns those floors any longer after they were outsourced to the senior housing.
IIRC there was some water damage from a broken pipe a few years ago -

Have not been in the downtown Y in a long time - it needed updating a while ago - the new one in KC looks awesome - they could expand STL to the lot to the south for a new pool/gym - I just don't know if the will is here to do it

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PostMar 26, 2014#7

^ thanks.

It's another area where the lack of downtown corporate presence really comes in to play... I think corporations like Enterprise, Ed Jones, Express Scripts, etc. would be much more likely to chip in for such a project if they were neighbors.

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PostMar 26, 2014#8

^ Definitely. There are afterall an Edward Jones branch, Emerson branch and Monsanto branch of the existing St Louis YMCA portfolio!

PostMar 26, 2014#9

^And slightly off topic but it is so frustrating to see Kellwood, Energizer, Rawlings, Century Link, Scottrade and more in the cluster of office parks at 64/141

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PostMar 27, 2014#10

Those cluster of companies arent going to move from there either in the meantime theres plenty of free land in and near downtown to build a new state of the art facility don't think that will happen anytime in the next 5 years

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PostApr 10, 2014#11

Anyone have any insight on why the upper floors aren't being used for residential anymore?
Guess that explains that.

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1528- ... 9991_zpid/

Zillow listing specifically cite SLU Law students housing needs. 100 apartments for 1.5 come to 15k each.

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PostApr 11, 2014#12

It's interesting that you'd be buying the top 8 floors of the building without the 1st and 2nd that they sit upon...
anyway, hope someone takes advantage of what sounds like a great deal!

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PostApr 11, 2014#13

^ 1.5 million for 100 units does sound pretty tantalizing if the rehab costs aren't too awful.... I'm glad they are listed and I hope something comes of it. It also seems to make for good timing to evaluate a KC type new Y for downtown as well.... I've never been in but perhaps some commercial could go into the main floor.

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PostApr 11, 2014#14

Quick comment on the downtown Y. I switched to the Downtown Y from the Fitness Factory about 5 years ago.

The Downtown Y is not flashy or new. However it has good equipment, has an incredibly friendly helpful staff, is never overly crowded, and provides access to much outside of wieghts/carido, i.e. pool, basketball court, racquetball, community room, hot tub, etc. The building is old but cared for and has a great charm to it. Not to mention the retro 1940's pool in the basement is a true gem. If you haven't been in the building, it is worth a visit just to check it out.

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PostApr 11, 2014#15

^ thanks for the report.... is there seem to be pretty decent membership/usage? What would be your thoughts on something new and with expanded programming for the community like what KC Y is trying to do (up top)?

PostMay 08, 2014#16

I've posted elsewhere that the Lawrence Group is converting the old Marquette Y space to condos (and using some for workout space). Here is an interesting article from a couple years back when the Y closed:

The location at 304 N. Broadway simply did not have enough members to be profitable, said Jay Pecovich, executive director of the Marquette YMCA. The branch had 435 members in early April.

The location opened in 1987 when downtown St. Louis was thriving and the facility had more than 1,000 members in the late 1990s, he said.

The facility was closed for six months during renovations in 2005 after its building was purchased by the Lawrence Group, and when it reopened in January 2006, 40 percent of its membership base did not return.

“Today, we see a changed downtown landscape that has challenged our ability to operate Marquette economically,” states a letter written by Downtown-Marquette YMCA District Executive Cheryl Baughn and sent to members on April 5. “Many companies have their own health and wellness departments and work with third-party wellness companies; and many buildings have their own workout facilities.”


The more I think about, the more I really would like to explore if we could do something like what KC is moving towards ^^; a modern facility that has a strong community center focus in addition to the traditional fitness role.

The existing building could be sold and converted to residential.

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PostMay 08, 2014#17


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PostMay 29, 2015#18

Returning to one of my pet wants for downtown, downtown YMCA projects are in the news for Kansas City (selection of the vacant, historic Lyric Theater for rhe new location) and Cincinnati (major $15 million renovation of existing location in historic building + adjoining $12 million, 60 unit senior apartment project):

http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/b ... -site.html

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/n ... plans.html

In addition, Cleveland's new downtown Y will be opening soon in a former retail destination similar to the M/X.

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index ... _will.html

I wish we could have a nice campaign to give the downtown Y more oomph whether a rehab for the current location or for a new one. Also, someone needs to take on the empty apartments, but I believe that is a separate ownership.

PostJun 12, 2015#19

Add Indy to list of midwest cities that will be opening a new or signicantly enhanced downtown Y... it'll be opening a gleaming new facility with lots of glass in December:

"This is a game changer for Downtown. It's also a game changer for the YMCA," said Eric Ellsworth, president and chief executive officer of the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis.

Indianapolis is one of the few cities of its size that has not had a full-service YMCA for Downtown. When the new facility opens, Ellsworth said, it will be the largest YMCA in the area — not just according to size but also in membership — with as many as 15,000 members.


http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2015 ... /71028786/

So there is at least Cleveland, Kansas City, Cincinnati and Indianapolis at various stages of new Y's.... I think I spot a trend that hopefully will come here.

PostJul 27, 2015#20

Someone posted a comment on nextstl that the Downtown Y may be closing.... that really would be sad unless it were closing for a move to a new facility.

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PostJul 27, 2015#21

roger wyoming II wrote:Someone posted a comment on nextstl that the Downtown Y may be closing.... that really would be sad unless it were closing for a move to a new facility.
link? Where was it posted?

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PostJul 27, 2015#22

For the pool, my wife and I just joined the downtown Y. It closing would be terrible.

So, love to see a link as well.

Thanks!

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PostJul 27, 2015#23

^ From commenter Luftmensch: "The YMCA already closed its Marquette location and now they want to close their main branch on Olive (yes, you heard me)."

http://nextstl.com/2015/07/north-riverf ... l-stadium/

I have no idea about the veracity but I'd hope they'd be up front if you asked about the possibility.

PostMay 12, 2016#24

So over on the Railway Exchange thread comes news that the Y may be moving over to the butt end of the M/X fronting Locust.

http://urbanstl.com/forum/viewtopic.php ... 30#p268723

I think that would be great and bring some activity to a difficult spot while opening up the existing Y for a large-scale redevelopment opportunity. I hope it happens!

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PostJul 25, 2016#25

^ Looks like the Y indeed is moving over to the M/X! More is supposed to come out tomorrow, according to King Realtors. This should be an excellent move.

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