Chelsea Recreation Center (New York City, New York)

 gym / gymnasium - sports, interesting place, Modern (architecture)

5-story recreation center partially completed in 1975, and finally opened in 2004. Designed by Hoberman & Wasserman for the City of New York, it is clad in variegated red brick, with blue-painted metal window framing. At 56,500 square feet the building is one of the largest neighborhood recreation centers in New York City, containing a 25-yard six lane pool, basketball court, fitness rooms, dance studios, game rooms, and a computer resource center.

Already under construction, the project was shelved on January 19, 1976 due to the New York City fiscal crisis of 1975. Windows were sealed over with concrete and steel girders left exposed, with an air conditioner unit remaining on the roof for when construction resumed. Completion of the facility was a consistent request at neighborhood meetings over the next 25 years. During this time the design was updated by Koutsomitis Architects. Construction finally resumed on June 7, 2001 and the center opened on May 11, 2004.

www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/recreationcenters/M260