We are excited to announce a new venture that will repurpose and reimagine our beloved Townlake YMCA® in Downtown Austin.
The Greater Austin YMCA has selected MP-Austin, an affiliate of New York-based Millennium Partners, to repurpose the TownLake property into a thriving community hub, with the goal of breaking ground in 2028. The vision includes a brand-new YMCA facility, affordable and market-rate housing, a YMCA Tomorrow Academy™ early education center and other core YMCA services like mental health counseling.
The Greater Austin Y will sell a portion of its 4.8-acre property along West Cesar Chavez Street to MP-Austin while retaining ownership of the parcel where a new TownLake YMCA will be built. In addition to market-rate housing, initial designs also include up to 90 high-quality, affordable rental units with many two-and three-bedroom options suitable for families, a new YMCA approximately 100,000 sq ft including up to 50,000 square feet for youth programs. An additional 10,000 sq ft is planned for YMCA Tomorrow Academy.
Why This Project Matters
The TownLake Y, built in 1970, has been a downtown staple and a place where Austinites have been able to learn, grow and stay healthy for more than 50 years. To prepare for the next chapter in keeping our community strong we must expand our capacity to meet the needs of our growing community.
Additional opportunities this project will support include:
- Upgrading infrastructure and improving energy efficiency
- Building a new landmark destination and community hub for wellbeing
- Improving parking and access for walkers, bikers, and transit riders
- Expanding programs for our growing community
- Creating more space for events and community connection
- Enhancing access and connectivity in the surrounding neighborhood
“We’ve spent the last two years talking with neighbors and stakeholders to learn what our community needs,” said Kathy Kuras, Greater Austin YMCA President and CEO. “In the process we recognized a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the health and wellbeing of the entire community by reimagining and repurposing the TownLake YMCA.”
Here’s What’s Ahead
Currently, TownLake YMCA is a 75,000 square foot facility. While a portion of the property will be sold to MP-Austin, the Y is holding on to the space we need to build something bigger and better for our community.
This new facility will be rooted in community wellness and connection, with plans that include:
- A new 100,000 sq ft YMCA, which includes up to 50,000 sq ft for youth programs.
- An additional 10,000 sq ft for YMCA Tomorrow Academy early education center
- Wellness and mental health services
What’s Next
We’re working with local and national experts to design a space that meets our community needs. That includes partnering with groups like Foundation Communities on affordable housing, and design teams like Triangle2 and The Drenner Group.
“When we talk about Downtown being Austin’s ‘living room,’ this is exactly the kind of project that will make that living room a more welcoming, engaging, vibrant, safe, and accessible place that creates smiles,” said Austin Mayor Kirk Watson.
With the agreement now approved by the Y board, Millennium and the Y will begin early planning and kick off the next phase of community engagement to help shape the final design.
Stay Involved
This Townlake Y venture is part of a broader Greater Austin Y plan announced in September 2023 to reimagine and repurpose all area properties and ensure the Y continues to meet the evolving needs of our growing community.
We will keep our members and program participants updated as this project progresses. If you are not currently a member or program participant but want to stay up to date, we invite you to follow our social channels.
About the Greater Austin YMCA
The Greater Austin YMCA® is a dynamic force elevating quality of life in Greater Austin by boldly expanding access for all children, adults, families and seniors in our rapidly growing community. For nearly 75 years, the Greater Austin YMCA has evolved to address each community’s greatest needs, touching every phase of life and nurturing happier, healthier people, a stronger community and a better world.
We believe everyone deserves access to quality programs that are keeping our community strong. As a proud 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we provide financial assistance to expand access for our community members to learn, grow and thrive through our early learning childcare centers, fitness centers, youth programs, future workforce development, adult programming, mental health counseling and more.
The Y serves nearly 140,000 people each year across Travis and Hays counties in 8 fitness and wellness centers, 60 licensed campuses in four school districts and two new YMCA Tomorrow Academy™ locations. Globally, the YMCA is one of the oldest and largest youth-serving organizations in the world. More information is available at www.austinymca.org.
