Commissioned by the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation under its Design + Construction Excellence program, this project, formerly the 59th Street Recreation Center, is located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. It is named for New York native Gertrude Caroline Ederle, an Olympic champion who, on August 6, 1926, became the first woman to swim across the English Channel.

Reimagining the Center entailed the renovation of a 12,000 sf, 1906 historic bathhouse and the construction of a 10,500 sf addition. The resulting building contains a swimming pool, gymnasium, fitness center, aerobics studio, new locker rooms, a youth activity center, multi-purpose community room, and comfort stations serving its new park and playground. For over a century, from its origins as a facility for public health and hygiene to its rebirth as a modern community recreation center, the Gertrude Ederle building continues to serve its diverse and ever-evolving neighborhood.

The project was designed with Bargmann Hendrie + Archetype, swimming pool and recreation specialists, as associated architects.

2014 Historic Districts Council Design Awards, Honorable Mention
2013 Brick Industry Association Brick in Architecture Award, Bronze