South Dade YMCA

Miami, FL
Construction Cost: $12.5 million
Area / Square Feet: 43,000
Occupancy Date: January 2013

The South Dade YMCA represents a total replacement of a small, dated program center in a thriving residential neighborhood. The first phase provides a 43,000-square-foot comprehensive community center anchored by a large wellness center on the second floor. Additionally, group exercise studios and multipurpose rooms serve a wide variety of program delivery needs.

The five-acre YMCA site is immediately adjacent to a municipal golf course and residential properties, requiring the design to incorporate extensive landscaping to buffer the neighborhood while utilizing expansive glass views to showcase the adjacent golf course. The contemporary facility facade sweeps across the street frontage and creates an area for the future pool terrace, defined on two sides by the facility itself.

Despite the small site, programming and operations continued throughout construction. Planned for phased growth to a 60,000-square-foot facility, the new facility will serve as the anchor to a recreation complex for many years to come. Future phases will include an outdoor family aquatic center and a full-day childcare center.