Today, Arverne by-the-Sea is a 117-acre mixed residential and light commercial oceanfront development adjacent to Rockaway Beach. Identified as an urban renewal area since the 1970’s, the land had sat mostly empty until Benjamin Beechwood was awarded the development project in early 2000. In 2003, Beechwood LLC entered into negotiations with the YMCA of Greater NY to build the new community recreation center as a YMCA in anticipation of the residences that would be built around it.
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Today, Arverne by-the-Sea is a 117-acre mixed residential and light commercial oceanfront development adjacent to Rockaway Beach. Identified as an urban renewal area since the 1970’s, the land had sat mostly empty until Benjamin Beechwood was awarded the development project in early 2000. In 2003, Beechwood LLC entered into negotiations with the YMCA of Greater NY to build the new community recreation center as a YMCA in anticipation of the residences that would be built around it.
Designed to USGBC LEED Silver standards, the 2-story building features a zero-entry leisure pool with a water slide, a 4-lane lap pool, cardiovascular and weight training areas, aerobics and spinning classrooms, a gym, and outdoor spaces including a running track, league field, a small garden, and terraced seating.
The YMCA building is constructed with similar materials and scale to the adjacent 2-3 story, multifamily houses to be contextual to the neighborhood. Its interior is designed to maximize access to light and views, creating a sense of openness and connection between the different activity spaces to reflect the YMCA’s mission “to empower youth, improve health, and strengthen community”.
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