The ymca Houston building

Heyoo, it's your buddy bell here coming to you with this week's #takeover! Today we are gonna talk about the ymca abandoned building!

It is a community focused, none profit establishment. First made in 1844 with programs and services for all ages and people.

The Y community was made by George Williams when he was only 22. Along side his 11 friends, they formed the YMCA ( young men Christian Association). As an escape for men from the over work and life noise.

Even though the building itself has served for only about 65 years, but the cooperation has served for much longer. As Ymcas branches started springing all over the city, the downtown Y building remained an anchor for many lives. From workers needing safety, to affordable housing, employees seeking a healthier fitness life style.

The Y building was designed by Kenneth Franzheim who designed the a coliseum in 1928 for the democratic national convention, and the more known iconic gulf building.

It has the touch of italianate patio, arched traditional enter ways. With maze like walkways and distinctive colors and unique porches. Featuring interior rock walls and painted beam ceilings. Containing a 270 dorms for men, an assembly hall, 19 classrooms, 2 gyms, 6 handball courts, an indoor pool!

The big national racquetball tournament took place every memorial day in the building along with national drawing competition, but the building was too small and inconvenient therefore it was moved.

unfortunately the officials decided to abandon the building to a gleaming new one around the block.

The 10 story building on Louisiana St. which has been in downtown for over 65 years! The building is being torn down currently and moved to a new glass and brick building.

The Y has actually decided to lower the buildings worth under 25 million$

They decided that instead of burdening future investors and buyers with repairs they will demolish the whole structure.

The buyer has already been determined to be Chevron who says there's yet no determined plan for the building.

The building size will be cut to half at 100,000 feet with a 250 parking spaces. The new building will be environment friendly, meaning it's construction and operation will conserve energy and resources.

The new facility will continue with its mentoring work, along the life skill and educational purposes. Plus a new teen facility, child watch area and women's wellness center including a racquetball court and a basketball gym, swimming pool, fitness equipments, meeting rooms and a food vendor!

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Thank you for reading this far! Hope you learned some new information today.

This is your buddy bell g out!