Posted in Community, Hunton YMCA, St. Pauls
The William A. Hunton YMCA has acquired the property located at 1045 E. Brambleton Ave., where planned new construction will enable an exciting next chapter in the YMCA’s ongoing role as a resource and safe haven for families living in and around South Hampton Roads.
Founded in 1875, the Hunton YMCA is one of four Heritage YMCAs in the United States, established when People of Color were denied access to other YMCA facilities. The new 32,000-square-foot building will enable Hunton to expand its tradition of promoting health while providing early childhood education, community meeting spaces and programs to teach life skills.
“The Hunton Y is the right organization to carry this important work forward at St. Paul’s,” said Mayor Kenneth C. Alexander, Ph.D. “As it advances fundraising and finalizes the first phase of its new facility in our new Kindred community, where more than 300 children will be served each day through early childhood education, we are investing in a legacy of service and in the future of Kindred.”
The acquisition of the land, which was previously home to Tidewater Park Elementary School, was made possible by the sale of the previous Hunton Y to the City of Norfolk. The old facility has since been demolished to make way for the Blue Greenway, a 22-acre resilience park that will serve the Kindred and St. Paul’s community. Currently, the Hunton YMCA is operating a temporary location at 5520 Tidewater Drive.
“Acquiring this land reflects a commitment to strengthening our community, empowering our young people, and ensuring our seniors continue to thrive,” says Hunton YMCA CEO Tonja Williams. “Thank you to the City of Norfolk for believing in our mission and being a vital part of our Hunton Y family. Together we are building a brighter future for Hunton Y and those we serve!”
Highlights of the design for the new Hunton YMCA include separate areas for upper and lower schools, a library, kitchen and cafetorium, reception, administrative offices, a full-size gymnasium, an outdoor swimming pool, and facilities for health services, seniors, and civic and community gatherings. A private courtyard will embrace an arbor of mature trees and feature a natural playground. A campaign will kick off in the coming months to support construction for the first phase of the new facility.
“The Hunton YMCA is a cornerstone of this community and we are proud to continue the process of assuring its future,” said Hunton YMCA Board Member Ulysses Turner. “For 150 years, the Hunton YMCA has been located within a block of this site. This is the perfect location, right at the entry of St. Paul’s, for the Y to serve surrounding neighborhoods and downtown Norfolk.”
“Together we can make big things happen. Today brings us one step closer to it. We owe it to the kids to ensure Hunton Y can continue to be a catalyst for learning and growing,” said Hunton YMCA Board Chair Dan Banister.
About The William A. Hunton YMCA
Since 1875, the Hunton Y has positively impacted generations of South Hampton Roads families by offering vital programs to some of Norfolk’s most underserved residents — primarily minorities who were historically denied access to other YMCAs. We serve as a safehaven, a beacon of opportunity, and a pathway to a better life for the children and families in our community. One of four remaining Heritage YMCAs in the nation, Hunton is the oldest independent YMCA in continuous operation and the second-oldest YMCA in the U.S. ymcahunton.org
About Work Program Architects
Work Program Architects (WPA) is an architecture and urban design firm seeking to strengthen community through a collaborative design process. Known for its work across civic, cultural, housing and educational sectors, the firm’s multi-disciplinary approach results in projects unique to their location that advance social, economic and coastal resilience. WPA is based in Norfolk, Virginia, with a studio in Raleigh, North Carolina. wparch.com
Update April 20, 2026
A deed signing ceremony was held at the site on April 17 and covered by local media.
- WAVY News 10: A new Hunton YMCA to replace the old one in Norfolk
- WTKR News 3: Norfolk locks in Hunton YMCA site on Brambleton Avenue, eyes big impact for kids
- WHRO Public Radio: The country’s oldest independent YMCA planning new complex in Norfolk
