Central YMCA
Why it's listed
Rising seven stories on Jefferson Avenue just west of downtown Toledo, the former Central YMCA is a brick building designed in a free version of Italian Lombard Romanesque. Mills, Rhines, Bellman, & Nordhoff planned it in 1930, and Frank Messer & Sons of Cincinnati built it between fall 1934 and summer 1935 at a cost of $800,000. Its exterior is covered in polychrome brick patterns, carved stone and terra-cotta, with clay-tile roofs, a squat tower and a central entrance showing St. George slaying the dragon. Inside are a central lobby, an open-air atrium, stencilled ceilings and shutters, and large fireplaces. The building held social rooms, a banquet hall, a chapel, 153 dormitory bedrooms, a pool, gymnasiums and handball courts. The YMCA closed in 1980. The building was listed for its distinctive architecture and high integrity, and for the craftsmanship of its masonry and sculpture in an era when little was being built.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it one of the most important and unique expressions of architecture in Toledo, an excellent translation of Italian Lombardic motifs in polychrome brick, tile and stone. It was built at the height of the Depression when few buildings were erected. Although completed less than 50 years earlier, it was designed in 1930 and is considered unique in the urban area.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 82003610, listed April 15, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1110 Jefferson Ave., Toledo |
|---|---|
| County | Lucas County |
| Listed | April 15, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82003610 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- (specific dates 1934-35) |
| Architect / builder | Mills, Rhines, Bellman, & Nordhoff, Toledo (architects); Frank Messer & Sons, Cincinnati, Ohio (general contractor) |
| Architectural style | Free interpretation of Lombard Romanesque (Lombardic) |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The Central YMCA closed June 30, 1980 and the building became surplus; it was purchased in March 1981 by a local group intending rehabilitation for offices, a restaurant, an athletic club and possibly housing. Form lists present use as storage and condition as excellent. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Within district | Uptown Toledo Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.65358, -83.54260 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 82003610.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q129744516
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.