Knoxville YMCA Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Knoxville YMCA Building
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 Location in Tennessee
Location in the United States
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| Location | 605 Clinch Ave. Knoxville, Tennessee, USA |
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| Built | 1929 |
| Architect | BarberMcMurry |
| NRHP reference No. | 83004256 |
| Added to NRHP | November 17, 1983 |
The Knoxville Downtown YMCA, also known as the Lindsay Young Downtown YMCA, is a special building in Knoxville, Tennessee. It's listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical site. This building was designed by the famous Barber & McMurry architecture firm. It was finished in 1929 and is one of the oldest YMCA buildings in the entire United States!
Contents
History of the Knoxville YMCA Building
How the YMCA Started in Knoxville
The YMCA in Knoxville was first started in 1854. It was organized by the Second Presbyterian Church. However, it had to close down during the American Civil War. After the war, the YMCA was reopened in 1890.
The Building's Story
The land where the YMCA stands today used to belong to the McGhee family. They gave the property to the YMCA on June 28, 1928. The Knoxville Downtown YMCA building was then built in 1929.
Later, the building was renamed to honor Lindsay Young. He was a local lawyer and a very generous person. Mr. Young gave a lot of money to the Knoxville YMCA.
Modern Updates and Renovations
On April 25, 2008, the building got a big makeover. This renovation cost about $2.5 million. Part of the project changed old hotel rooms into condominiums, which are like apartments. These condos were sold, and the money from their sale helped pay for the renovations. Private donations also helped fund the updates.
Design of the YMCA Building
Architectural Style and Features
The inside of the YMCA building has a beautiful design. It looks like Spanish Colonial Revival style. You can see this in its arched doorways and hallways. It also has tile floors and walls covered in plaster. The windows have small diamond-shaped dividers called muntins.
Experts describe the building as a mix of old architectural styles. This was a special skill of its designer, Charles I. Barber. Overall, the building is mostly considered Mediterranean Revival style. Some important features include bricks laid in a special pattern called Flemish bond. It also has a water table, decorative brickwork, and an inner courtyard.
What's Inside the YMCA Facility
The Knoxville Downtown YMCA has many great facilities for staying active. It includes:
- An indoor running track
- A lap pool for swimming
- A basketball court
- Courts for racquetball and handball
- Locker rooms for both men and women
- Saunas and steam rooms for relaxing
- Studios for exercise classes
- A variety of exercise equipment
