Former YMCA in Iowa Torn Down September 2024

Y.M.C.A. Building, Council Bluffs Iowa

Date added: October 09, 2024

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The Council Bluffs YMCA building is an extremely interesting and highly individualistic interpretation of the Georgian and Federal Revival styles current in the early decades of the 20^th century. The character of the facade is largely established by the fenestration. The windows are overwhelmingly large and their treatment is bold and variegated, but nonetheless tightly organized into a system in which the dominant vertical axes of the end pavilions are poised against the strong horizontal grouping of the windows in the center. The treatment of the end bays as pavilions, which is uncharacteristic of the American Georgian and Federal Revival styles, and the multiplicity of window planes add further interest to an already lively facade.

It should also be noted that the street facade of the gymnasium addition, with its vertical divisions and horizontal groupings of elements, is very sympathetic in character to the original building.

The building was designed by Frederic E. Cox of the Council Bluffs firm of Cox and Schoentgen and erected in 1908-9. The pool/gymnasium addition was designed by Jocheis Jensen in 1931. Renovations to the building at that time also included the remodeling of the earlier attic into fourth-floor rooms (the shed dormers were possibly added at this time).

Construction of the building was partially funded by Gen. Grenville M. Dodge, who also left a substantial endowment for its upkeep. In 1929, the Union Pacific Railroad purchased the building, in order to keep its facilities open for railroad men during the Depression years. Since 1955 it has been owned by the city's YMCA organization.

The Council Bluffs YMCA moved out of its original building on First Avenue in 1979.

The building was demolished on September 18^th 2024.

Historic Council Bluffs YMCA demolished as neighbors reminisce

Building Description

The Council Bluffs YMCA building is a rectangular structure, with dimensions of 95' x 42'. It is 34 stories high on a raised basement. The roof is gabled, with a ridge deck, and the side walls feature a shouldered parapet gable ends, inset with pairs of false chimneys. The building is of frame construction, with the exterior walls veneered in a rust-brown brick.

The principal facade (south) is of five bays with the end bays distinguished as pavilions. The windows are extremely large and vary in treatment from story to story.

The first-story windows are treated as projecting bays composed of multi-light transoms and sidelights around a large single-pane center light. The window bays of the end pavilions actually project beyond the plane of the wall, while the three center bays (the middle bay functions as the front entrance) are recessed and united under a continuous cornice. The second-story windows are multi-light double-hung windows (with a bottom sash that slides or pivots and a fixed top sash) and are framed with flat surrounds which also enclose paneled aprons. On the third floor are coupled windows with square frames set within shallow segmental arches. Those of the end pavilions are flush with the wall while those of the center three bays are recessed to form narrow balconies and are united under a blind arcade.

The attic dormers are alternating double dormers with shed roofs and single dormers with triangular pediments.

The windows of each story are superimposed directly upon each other, with the head of the lower fused with the sill of the upper. The same window treatment is carried around both sides of the building. On the east side, the building is extended out into a one-bay wing, which is three stories in height.

In the basement of this building are locker rooms, a workout room, bathrooms and a kitchen. The first and second floors are divided irregularly into meeting rooms of varying sizes. The third and attic floors contain many small bedrooms, arranged on either side of a center hall running parallel with the front facade.

On the rear of the building is a later addition (1931), 65' x 43' in dimension and two stories high, which houses a swimming pool on the main floor and a gymnasium above. The street (west) facade of the addition is divided into four bays by wide flat brick piers that extend slightly above the top of the parapet. Within each bay are groups of three windows, small square windows on the main level and double-hung sliding sash windows on the gymnasium level, divided by narrow piers. Each group on the upper level shares a continuous lintel. At the rear of the gymnasium is a tall brick chimney.