YMCA Building (Riverside, California)

YMCA Building

Historic Y.M.C.A. Building taken in October 2009 for Centennial Celebrations on November 5, 2009
Location Riverside, California
Coordinates 33°56′26″N 117°25′11″W / 33.94056°N 117.41972°W / 33.94056; -117.41972Coordinates: 33°56′26″N 117°25′11″W / 33.94056°N 117.41972°W / 33.94056; -117.41972
Architectural style(s) Italian Renaissance-palazzo[1]
Reference no. 41
Location of YMCA Building in California

The YMCA Building is a structure in downtown Riverside, California, that has been used for various functions over the years but is currently the Life Arts Center. The Life Arts Center rents its three halls on the main floor for wedding receptions, business events, graduations and qienceañeras. The top floor has 25 studios rented by artists. These were once the hotel rooms rented to guests by the YMCA. The bottom floor is now a full gymnasium called the City Gym. The building was designed in the style of an Italian Renaissance palazzo.[2] In 1980 the building was granted historic status by the city and designated as city landmark #41.[3]

History

Inauguration of the Y.M.C.A. Building in 1909

Built in 1909, it was the second YMCA building in Riverside. The YMCA vacated the building in 1968, moving to premises at 4020 Jefferson Street.[2] In 1974 the building was purchased and refurbished by Bent Corydon for use as a franchise of the Church of Scientology. The 40,000 square foot building was, at the time, the largest Mission of the church. Corydon left the Church a few years later. In 1992 Corydon won a ten year legal battle against the Church of Scientology for ownership of the building. The building is now owned by Life Arts Center Incorporated, with Corydon as president.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Riverside Cultural Heritage Board (January 2002). "Landmarks of the City of Riverside" (PDF). City of Riverside. Retrieved 2013-02-28.
  2. 1 2 Riverside California official web site; Historic resources; Landmarks brochure; Landmarks of the City of Riverside. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  3. ↑ Stokley, Sandra (30 October 2009). "The 'Y' in Riverside is 100 years old". Press-Enterprise. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  4. ↑ Brandeis, Gayle (1 October 2012). "From Y to Art: The History of the Riverside Art Museum and the Life Arts Center". KCET Productions. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
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