Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
A different angle at the gymnasium with a view at the quite unusual running track
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
A look out over the courtyard
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Next to the gym was the weight lifting room
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Racquetball court
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
A different view at the Racquetball court
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
One of the residential floors
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
The triangle was the symbol of the YMCA back then, before they went to the "Y"-shaped symbol we know today, which if you look at it closely, still incorporates the triangle into the design. The three sides of the triangle corresponded to the three points identified on the frieze sculpture above the entrance: Mind, Body, and Spirit.
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
A tile water fountain on the first floor
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Gymnasium floor detail
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Hallway leading to racquetball courts
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Men's entrance detail
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Boy's entrance
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Another view out at the courtyard
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
The brick walls and its fireplaces featured many Pewabic tile insets.
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
A fireplace in the main entrance area
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
The swimming pool with its beautiful tile work
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Tile work detail
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
"Club" area in the basement
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Detroit Free Press issues from the 1940s show that there was a Kiwanis Club in the building in the 1940s.
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
The Southwest Exchange Club resided in this building also for many years. The first local Exchange Club was formed in Detroit in 1911.
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Clubroom fireplace in the basement
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Severe water damage can be seen throughout the entire building, including the basement
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
A room number very specific to the location of the building
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
A staircase leading up to the residential area
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Staircase detail
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Back on the first floor this area looks like a general meeting place with wooden divider walls
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Beautiful woodwork
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Another section of the divider wall
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
Some of the rooms on the first floor still show the former beauty of the place
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
The Western Branch sign lit up by a nearby LED street light
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
A view at the gymnasium from the courtyard
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
The backside of the building in 2022
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
The backside of the building in 2022
Photo by Helmut Ziewers (www.ziewersphotography.com) of HistoricDetroit.org
