YMCA to move downtown branch into Galleria, taking 30 percent of the former mall's retail space

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The YMCA of Greater Cleveland will move its downtown branch into the Galleria at Erieview, illustrating how developers and tenants are dreaming up creative ways to remake old retail space.

A 40,000-square-foot fitness facility, including a three-lane lap pool, will fill the southeast section of the glassed-in former mall in downtown Cleveland.

Building owner Werner Minshall plans to donate the space to the YMCA, which will undertake a $9 million renovation that could be finished in early 2014.

The deal is a much-needed win for an iconic property in a key downtown district.

For years, the Galleria has scrabbled to stay alive by leasing space to non-retail tenants and booking weddings and events. As owners of empty shopping centers have turned to churches, offices and business incubators to fill space, the greenhouse-like Galleria has garnered attention for growing herbs in its central atrium for local restaurants.

The YMCA will fill a large hole, once leased to stores including The Limited. The downtown gym, which has 3,650 members and hopes to surpass 5,500 members at the new location, could boost traffic in the parking garage, the food court and the neighborhood.

"It has been what I would call a loss leader for us for seven or eight years," Minshall said of the property. "We've managed to make do, and now with this deal we've finally turned the corner. Once it's done, the Galleria will be profitable."

After the donation, the nonprofit YMCA will essentially own a business condominium and pay fees to help operate the building.

Since 1911, the YMCA has maintained its offices and downtown branch in a historic brick building at 2200 Prospect Ave.

In 2009, Cleveland State University acquired the building, which includes 148 apartments, and leased the fitness facility and offices back to the YMCA. The university hopes to find a developer to remake the building, and nearby properties, for student housing.

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YMCA to move downtown branch into Galleria, taking 30 percent of the former mall's retail space