Downtown YMCA demolition and future hotel proposal placed on hold

A proposal to demolish the former downtown YMCA and build a hotel in its place was tabled today at the Birmingham Design Review Committee (DRC) meeting.

Located at 2101 4th Avenue, North, the 59,494 square-foot former YMCA facility has been closed since Dec. 31, 2022. The property is still owned by YMCA.

Prospective owner Rakesh Patel, the developer behind Homewood Suites in 5 Points South, must secure approval from the DRC before demolishing the facility. The process also requires a conceptual plan for the hotel to be cleared by the committee before moving forward. 

Concerns raised about hotel design

Members of the DRC expressed concerns that there is not enough information and details about the design of the hotel. 

“We’re trying very hard to ask for more rigor in the contributing structures in our buildings. We want buildings that 50 years from now somebody wants.” 

Cheryl Morgan, member Birmingham Design Review Committee

After the vote, Patel did not seem discouraged by the delay, telling Bham Now:

“It’s a standard process. Nobody said it (the development) was ever easy.”

What’s next for the former YMCA? Expect more detailed plans coming forward in the coming months.