Northeast Bronx YMCA

The Northeast Bronx YMCA addresses the critical need for recreational space in this corner of NYC, fulfilling a 30-year dream of the community for a multigenerational community center and hub. Developed 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. The project was also uniquely led and built by women, designed by Marvel Founding Partner Lissa So, Project Architect Martha Bush, and Designer Justine Ala, with Sharon Greenberger, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York, and Sharon Levy, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, leading the efforts for the YMCA of Greater New York. Brennan Gilbane Koch, Vice President at Gilbane, served as the contractor, further underscoring the project’s exceptional leadership by women across all facets of its realization. Set on what was a wooded 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. The pavilions are linked by a glass corridor, with windows placed to augment lines of sight, knitting the building to the neighborhood beyond, and offering a connection to the outside anywhere within the building. A holistic approach to sustainability was key to the design. As a result, the building is expected to reduce annual site energy consumption by 33% and is LEED v4 Gold certified. The NE Bronx YMCA is a powerful symbol of the importance of making lasting investments into the health, wealth, education and well-being of overlooked communities, and will serve and strengthen this community for decades to come.