The Boston Preservation Alliance has been monitoring and participating in review of proposed changes to the Huntington Avenue YMCA.
The prominently located, iconic Administration Building and Hastings Wing are part of a cluster of turn of the twentieth century buildings in the area. They speak to the substantial institutional development that occurred along Huntington Avenue and its surroundings during this period. Retaining much of their original appearance, these buildings handsome examples of Shepley Rutan and Coolidge’s work in the Tapestry Brick Style with character-defining ornamental detailing. The administrative activities that these buildings have housed over time also lend them significance, as the headquarters of the regional YMCA which was a leader in the provision of recreational and social services to its members.
A third building, a gymnasium, is proposed for sale to Northeastern University for the construction of a new dormitory tower in partnership with Phoenix Property Company. While the building helps to tell the story about the YMCA's philosophies about health and exercise, and it's leadership in social and demographic integration in the city, it is also in a deteriorated condition. It is adjacent to New England Conservancy's Jordan Hall, which recently underwent a major restoration.
On Tuesday, March 8, the Boston Landmarks Commission imposed a 90-day delay on the demolition of the gymnasium in accordance with Article 85 of the Boston Zoning Code. The Alliance has urged the YMCA and Northeastern to use this time to collaborate on a preservation plan for the complex that will outline what measures will be taken in order to protect the most important buildings on the site and commemorate YMCA's rich history. The Alliance looks forward to working collaboratively with both institutions and with community residents as plans move forward.
As a YMCA and nearby community resident, and as one of over 1000 signers of a Petition opposing demolition of part of the Y, I believe preservation of the entire YMCA cluster of SIX buildings (according to the original Shepley plans) is in the interests of the members, the neighborhood, City of Boston, State and Nation. This is the home of the very first YMCA in the United States. The designer, Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge, clearly intended the gymnasium building as an integral part of the original complex that constitutes the YMCA, which as a WHOLE was intended to carry out the YMCA mission of improving the health, mind, body and spirit of individuals in our community. Amputating such a critical component as the gymnasium would be like wiping the smile off 'Mona Lisa,' or destroying the body of 'David' leaving only the head. If the proposal to demolish yet another piece of our heritage succeeds, the YMCA will be left as a poor reflection of its former self, creating great harm to the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteCalvin Arey
calarey@yahoo.com
On March 14, 2011, the Massachusetts Historical Commission found "After a review of materials submitted and MHC files, I have determined that the proposed revised project will have an "adverse effect" (950 CMR 71.05 (a) and (c) on State Register properties through the demolition of a portion of the YMCA and through the introduction of a seventeen-story tower that is out of scale with the surrounding historic context. The size and scale of the new construction overwhelms the historic YMCA building and thus alters the setting of this historic property as views from multiple vantage points."
ReplyDeleteOn April 6th I submitted to the Landmark Commission a Petition to designate the New England Conservatory of Music, and Jordan Hall, a City of Boston Landmark. NEC presently is included in the National and State Registers of Historic Places, and is also a National Historic Landmark. None of these, however, extend to a property the level of protection of a City of Boston Landmark. Hopefully this will be remedied.
ReplyDeleteIn the Petition I stated:
The New England Conservatory of Music "is immediately adjacent to the YMCA buildings which are also individually listed in the State and National Registers of Historic Places, and which are presently partially threatened with demolition for the purpose of building a seventeen-story tower that is out of scale with the surrounding historic context. The size and scale of the new construction would overwhelm the historic New England Conservatory of Music building and alter the setting of this historic property as viewed from multiple vantage points."
Needless to say, NEC is extremely concerned about potential damage to Jordan Hall, similar to what occurred to Trinity Church and Old South during nearby construction projects.