Historic Downtown Columbus YMCA to Be Transformed Into Apartments

A landmark of downtown Columbus is getting a new lease on life. The historic YMCA building at 40 W. Long St. — a fixture of the city's urban core for more than a century — is undergoing a major renovation that will convert the storied structure into modern residential apartments.

The redevelopment project is being led by Columbus-based developer Wagenbrenner Development, in partnership with the city of Columbus and supported by historic preservation tax credits from the Ohio Historic Preservation Office. The project aims to breathe new life into the long-vacant building while honoring its architectural heritage.

Plans call for the conversion of the upper floors into approximately 145 residential units, ranging from studio to two-bedroom apartments, with ground-floor commercial space expected to attract retail or restaurant tenants. Developers have emphasized their commitment to preserving key historic features of the building, including its ornate facade and original lobby elements.

"This is a transformative project for downtown Columbus," said a spokesperson for the development team. "We're not just creating housing — we're preserving a piece of this city's identity."

The renovation is expected to be completed by late 2026, with leasing anticipated to begin in early 2027. City officials have praised the project as a key component of Columbus's broader downtown revitalization strategy, which seeks to increase residential density in the urban core and attract new residents to the city center.

The YMCA building, constructed in 1926, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It served as an active YMCA facility for decades before closing its doors in 2017, leaving the building vacant and raising concerns among preservationists about its future.

Residents and community advocates have largely welcomed the news, calling the project a long-overdue investment in one of Columbus's most recognizable — and underutilized — historic assets.