Welcome to Abandoned Central’s blog. In today's video, we will take you on a tour of an abandoned YMCA in Detroit, Michigan. This historic YMCA dates back to 1925 and was one of several YMCA branches built during Detroit's economic boom. The branch was designed by renowned architect Albert Kahn in a beautiful Neo-Romanesque architectural style with moorish art deco details that became part of Kahn's signature style.
The YMCA branch offered a wide range of activities and programs, including swimming, gym, dancing, arts and crafts, and educational classes. The branch also had a strong focus on community service, providing support and resources to local schools, hospitals, and other community organizations.
Throughout the 1940s and 50s the YMCA branch continue to grow and expand. It soon became recognized for its state of the art facilities, including its Pewabic-tiled swimming pool, its gymnasium with the Detroit staple circular track around the top, its large library, and it’s grand ballroom. During the 1970s the YMCA branch started to face many challenges as enrollment began to decline and in 1980 the cash strapped YMCA was forced to close their doors for good.
Shortly after closing, the massive building was transformed into a community mental health center for people dealing with severe and persistent mental illness. It remained such until 2018 when that eventually closed down as well, leaving the historic YMCA completely abandoned. As of 2023, the YMCA still sits abandoned, but it is for sale. With Detroits focus on redevelopment in every corner of the city, we hope it will only be a matter of time before someone can save another part of Detroits history.
