A few months ago we presented “A Chapel that was Converted Into a Modern Apartment by Zecc” , the chapel was part of a large housing complex of the Friars of Utrecht, which at its height, around the mid-20th century, housed 217 residents. Today I would like to present another challenge that an interior design agency had. They ( the Apartment ) completely converted a 7,000 square-foot YMCA gym into a beautiful 5 bedroom apartment building, and I can say that every details of the apartment is stunning, from the vibrant colors to the detailed wallpaper and carpets. The place was in disrepair from years of abandonment ( as you can see in the picture below ) and needed some love.
Before
In converting the oldest YMCA gym, all of the colors were completely revamped, and a lot of restoration occurred, but the building still contains some of the original features. The original girders are still in place, although restored and painted to match the contemporary style. Green rugs and pink furniture are mixed with the unpainted concrete floors. The rooms are a mix of vibrant chairs, covering a wooden floor painted with court lines. The whole building is a perfect collaboration of the original gym, mixed with a new contemporary feel. Now take a look at the final result …amazing !
After
Did you enjoy this post? Then please consider subscribing to our FREE newsletter by RSS or e-mail
Share or save this article!
Published by Michael October 2nd, 2008 in Uncategorized
27 Comments
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Hmmm, I don´t like the design, but the idea behind it is cool.
Greets
October 2nd, 2008 at 6:19 pm
totally inspiring! what an amazing transformation! it’s so easy to picture a party here, or a jazzy evening by the fireplace, and i love the way the structure was incorporated! And the clean lines, recessed lighting and nooks, and the energetic colors…what an awesome place! (hope the energy costs are decent, lol) seriously, just amazing!
October 2nd, 2008 at 6:45 pm
I’m not sure which is gayer, the YMCA or the apartment.
October 2nd, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Very nice indeed.
Wonder how long it took, and what the cost was…
October 2nd, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Wowww. It’s huge. The modern-clean lines-bright colors thing is not my style, but it’s still gorgeous. Love that tall, wood-covered wall in the living room!
October 2nd, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Photoshopped, lol.
It does look a little flamboyant and homosexual, though. I doubt this was designed by a woman. I have come to the conclusion that it was done by a feminine male which is most likely homosexual since most males aren’t feminine. Therefore, I agree with the above comment. “GAY”
October 2nd, 2008 at 7:37 pm
No…I don’t like this. It’s a bit too ‘try hard’…a bit too thought out.
P.S. Hummus McBiscuit – Thanks, your comment made my laugh so much!
October 2nd, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Wow. They really ruined the place. It was way more intriguing before they turned it into this minimalist nightmare. If I had to live here the only thing I would be inspired to do is shoot myself in the face.
October 2nd, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Hi,
The decoration fits the form of the space, however I find it a bit impersonal (sp?). Maybe it’s because of the kind of space.
Have a nice weekend,
José
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Well i’m the owner of a construction company in Italy and I would like to find a place like that, at a reasonable price, but here a place like that in a normal position would cost 1.2-1.5 million € plus the remodeling. So I think that I prefere making five apartments and sell them separately
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:07 pm
It’s just too monstrous and not really designed very well. There is a lot of awkward large spaces and very little of it is usable on a human scale. Its like living in a shopping mall. I bet this person owns a Hummer.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Looks like crack ,awfully so.
apartment is gayer
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:47 pm
transforming an old industrial site like that is great but who the hell picked those colors? AWFUL DESIGN
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:29 pm
WOW. i cant even fathom living in a SPACE like this…its unreal!
Jen Ramos
‘100% Recycled DESIGNER Cards & More’
http://www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Yeah. That hot pink I-beam and post really sets off the big square of Astroturf.
October 3rd, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Okay, if i lived there, (which i wouldn’t cuz id never afford it) I would probably add lots of plants, fun knicknacks, a dog, bright rugs, bright colored dishes, glass artwork, and lots of people over. It’s inspiring because it’s only just the begining. The transformation is so much more imaginative and creative than traditional apartments. (thought granted not more economical) It’s like a room waiting for a garden to grow inside it – like living outdoors. I think the color scheme reminds me of a jungle. And why does it have to be ‘gay’?
October 3rd, 2008 at 4:51 pm
looks like a big brother set. would grow old fast with me i think.
October 3rd, 2008 at 5:38 pm
ugly design but wonderful concept.
October 4th, 2008 at 3:23 am
古い体育館をアパートに大幅リフォーム…
数年間、廃墟になっていたYMCAの体育館をアパートにしたそうです。
欧米ではこういった内装を含めて「アパート」と呼ぶのですが、日本ではこれは「ゲストハウス」といった方が自然か…
October 5th, 2008 at 3:28 am
Its a fantastic space gone bad! Cold, stark and poorly designed.
October 7th, 2008 at 2:14 am
It’s kind of gay! But I loved the idea and the change.. this could inspire antoher good projects. Actually I want to do something like that but $ I can’t afford that
October 7th, 2008 at 7:01 am
cool idea and inspiring stuff
October 9th, 2008 at 7:23 am
[...] Vía: Freshome [...]
October 15th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Ack! It would make a good club/bar/lounge.. not an apartment.
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Yuck. It feels like a large unfinished commercial space with a few stranglely bright things thrown in (hot pink?). I don’t see myself just lounging in the living room or having a group of friends over for dinner at the kitchen bar.
There’s so much that could have been done. Wood flooring on the first level or throughout to make the place warmer and maybe an accent wall that stretched to both levels. I don’t understand the kitchen at all. They seem to be trying to make in look like an Ikea inspired bar. I wouldn’t want my fridge so far from stove and sink. I would hate to have such a bland looking kitchen. There’s no overhead shelving but maybe I could adjust to that but with such a clean surface any real life appliances might make it look cluttered. These folks needed some help. Not everything is do it yourself.
November 27th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Jaw dropping transformation. :O
Love the attention to details, and the fuchsia painted iron beams are excellent. I wouldn’t even want to imagine what it costs to heat the place though.
June 24th, 2009 at 9:19 am
[...] converted locker rooms of the first YMCA in the United States ( see more here ), Cindy Gallop’s “Black Apartment” was designed by New York-based creative agency “The [...]