As long-time advocates and supporters of the YMCA legacy and community model, the team has been involved with the South Florida organization for nearly two decades, from architecture to master planning to construction oversight, as well as pro bono work on an as-needed basis.
The team designed a new L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center located in the heart of Fort Lauderdale’s African-American community. The iconic project expands outreach and provides a network of new services, spaces, and resources to address evolving community needs.
The four-story, 64,000 SF structure offers preschool programming and child care; an outdoor swimming pool and swimming programs for water skills, exercise, and safety; two floors dedicated to wellness and fitness activities; a black box theater, youth zone, and rooftop terrace; and a fourth floor dedicated to educational goals, including GED and college entry preparation, presented by Broward College and the School Board of Broward. The ground floor level features an incubator area for emerging entrepreneurs and provides eight retail bays being leased for local businesses.
Our project has received multiple awards including the following:
- 2022 FRA Awards: Outstanding New Building Project Winner – Fort Lauderdale Community Redevelopment Agency: L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center
- 2023 City of Fort Lauderdale’s Community Appearance Award (Institutional)
- 2023 South Florida AGC Build Florida Awards Community Use Facility under $99 million
- 2023 All-America City – Hall of Fame Award for City of Fort Lauderdale
- 2023 Engineering News Record Southeast Regional Best Project Award
