This essay is part of a student series for the Centre of Publishing and Applied Liberal Arts (PALA) at NYU SPS. We will be showcasing four student papers written in Spring 2022, for Kelly Carroll’s course Behind The Scenes In New York: Preserving A City Of Historic Neighborhoods. Students were asked to pick a historic site in New York City and make the case for why it should be granted Landmark status.
Kristy Pavlick chose the William Sloane YMCA. Read an excerpt from their insightful essay below:
“The purpose of the William Sloane YMCA was to create a space for young men new to
the city and for members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Specifically,
Sloane House was “a place where those coming to New York to make a start in life can stay until they have located work and a permanent residence.” The building provided sleeping
accommodations for 1,676 guests (The William Sloane House NYC, 93). A NYT’s article from
the day before the YMCA’s opening, March 2, 1930 said the building was “to be the last word in
a structure of its type”. The top twelve floors were dedicated to dormitories while the bottom
floors were used as social rooms. This included recreation rooms, offices, a barber shop,
showers, lockers, a large banquet hall, reading rooms and an extensive gymnasium with
basketball, volleyball and handball courts and athletic equipment of all kinds” (New $3M
YMCA). Today, the interior has been entirely altered.
Sloane House began to see changes in the 1940s. The number of servicemen who needed
housing dwindled and women and girls were now allowed to stay in the building. Additionally,
long-term accommodations to college students and welfare recipients were welcomed. A fire in 1972 caused even more change to the building. The YMCA had multiple unsuccessful
fundraising attempts in the 1980s, causing the building to close in 1993. By 1995, the building
was purchased and remodeled as affordable apartments for young professionals new to New
York (William Sloane House, Y.M.C.A). Today, the William Sloane YMCA has been rebranded
as The Sloane, an apartment complex featuring “260 gracious residences”. Apartments range
from studios to three bedrooms and “private maisonettes boasting modern finishes and high
ceilings” are available (Sloane Chelsea NYC). Sixty-five years later the building has come full
circle, to create a space for people starting out in New York City”
Kristy Pavlick’s full paper and slide show can be read here:
William Sloane YMCA by Kristy Pavlick
William Sloane YMCA Slide Show by Kristy Pavlick
Behind The Scenes In New York: Preserving A City Of Historic Neighborhoods is a continuing education course that any member of the public can register for and is also one of the required courses in the Certificate in Historic Preservation. The course will be running again in the fall, click here to register.