Young Men's Christian Association Central Building
Posted by: 
Rayman
N 42° 53.256 W 078° 52.535
17T E 673476 N 4750522
The former YMCA building in Buffalo, NY was built in 1901 for the second oldest YMCA chapter in the United States.
Waymark Code: WM1277
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 12/22/2006
Views: 19
The former YMCA building in Buffalo is architecturally and historically significant for its skillful and innovative siting and design by one of Buffalo's most prominent turn of the century architectural firms. The building was commissioned in 1901 as a new facility for the second oldest YMCA chapter in the US. In designing the English-Flemish Renaissance style building, Green and Wicks took advantage of the broad property on one of the radiating avenues just off of Niagara Square, and sited the building to dominate the triangular intersection.
The 10 story tower further distinguished the YMCA as one of the first tall buildings to be built in downtown Buffalo. Green and Wicks were also sensitive to the philosophy of the YMCA movement and incorporated several features into the building in order to encourage single young men to adopt the conservative lifestyle promoted by the association. The Buffalo YMCA was among the first to provide extensive accommodations for lodgers and was the very first two include a spa, features that later became standard in YMCA buildings around the country.
Although its siting has been compromised as a result of new construction which altered the city street plan, the YMCA retains integrity of design and materials and recalls both Buffalo's greatest period of urbanization and the history of the YMCA in the US.
Street address:
45 W. Mohawk St
Buffalo, NY United States
14202
County / Borough / Parish: Erie
Year listed: 1983
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Periods of significance: 1900-1924
Historic function: Domestic, Social: Civil, Hotel
Current function: Vacant/Not In Use
Privately owned?: no
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Season start / Season finish: Not listed
Hours of operation: Not listed
Secondary Website 1: Not listed
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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