Lynne's Lens
YMCA, Downtown OKC
The downtown YMCA was a magnificent building, one of the best examples of modern architecture in OKC, in my opinion. Designed by Sorey-Hill-Sorey and built in 1948, it was a real standout with its dramatic horizontal lines and sleek look.
Because it sat across the street from the Murrah Federal Building, the Y sustained heavy damage in the OKC bombing in 1995 and remained unoccupied and in limbo for several years. Several studies concluded that the building could be saved, but some geniuses thought that downtown needed another parking lot, and, as the building was about to be declared a landmark, it was demolished on the sly before anyone could take action. So, the site is now a parking lot. Sad.
YMCA, Downtown OKC
The downtown YMCA was a magnificent building, one of the best examples of modern architecture in OKC, in my opinion. Designed by Sorey-Hill-Sorey and built in 1948, it was a real standout with its dramatic horizontal lines and sleek look.
Because it sat across the street from the Murrah Federal Building, the Y sustained heavy damage in the OKC bombing in 1995 and remained unoccupied and in limbo for several years. Several studies concluded that the building could be saved, but some geniuses thought that downtown needed another parking lot, and, as the building was about to be declared a landmark, it was demolished on the sly before anyone could take action. So, the site is now a parking lot. Sad.