Northeast Bronx YMCA

Organization Name: YMCA of Greater New York; Marvel

Project Title: Northeast Bronx YMCA

Project Location: 1250 E 229th Street, Bronx, NY 10466 (Edenwald neighborhood of the Bronx)

Project Description:
The new 52,000sf Northeast Bronx YMCA is an open, engaging, state-of-the-art community and recreational facility designed to meet the wide-ranging needs of thousands of low income youth and families. Set on what was a densely forested 3-acre site, the building program is organized into three separate pavilions placed gently on the site, preserving existing mature trees and respecting the natural sloped topography. Their open arrangement is a gesture of openness and transparency, as if the building was welcoming you in a warm embrace. The pavilions are linked by a glass corridor, with windows placed to augment lines of sight, offering a connection to the outside wherever you are in the building. The building includes two swimming pools, a gymnasium, wellness center, teaching kitchen, group exercise studios, and community rooms as well as a rooftop garden. A double height entry lobby opens onto a plaza, providing space for outdoor activities. A holistic approach to sustainability was key to the design. Of note, a whole building energy simulation was used to inform a design that is expected to reduce annual site energy consumption by 33%. The building is expected to receive LEED v4 Gold certification.

Community Impact:
In this underserved part of the Bronx, there are only 3.1 acres of parks and playgrounds per 1,000 children, far below the citywide average of 13.3 acres. The Northeast Bronx YMCA addresses the critical need for recreational space, fulfilling a 30 year dream of the community for a multigenerational community center and hub. It provides access to the wide array of educational, social and health programs that the Y offers to New Yorkers of all ages. Developed in partnership with a broad coalition of community leaders and elected officials, it is a powerful reminder of the good that can come when our leaders, institutions, and community work together.

Community buy-in and involvement was key to the project’s success. In partnership with NYCEDC the project achieved a 22% MWBE/DBE goal for construction. The development team hired through the HireNYC program, a free program that connects residents and workers to the City's workforce development service.

The YMCA and Gilbane hosted several job fairs held specially for local residents. In total, 467 city residents, 156 Bronx residents, 40 residents of the local community, and 17 previously unemployed Bronx-based workers were employed on the project.

Organization Description:
Founded in 1852, the YMCA of Greater New York is NYC’s leading nonprofit community service and wellness organization. The Y serves a diverse population of more than half a million New Yorkers who learn, grow, and thrive through programs and services at our 24 branches. For over 35 years, in offices in New York and San Juan, MARVEL’s holistic design practice has encompassed architecture, interiors, landscape architecture and urban design.

Team Members:

Marvel
Polise Consulting Engineers
Silman
Philip Habib & Associates
Abel Bainnson Butz
Dot Dash
RWDI
Lothrop Associates
Code Green
Gilbane Building Company

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