BY JOHN CROPLEY, The Daily Gazette

SCHENECTADY — The old Schenectady YMCA is a residential building again. The facade still reads “Young Men’s Christian Association,” but its name is 13 State Street Apartments.

After an $18 million overhaul of the 92-year-old landmark at the foot of State Street, the first new residents moved in early this year; managers expect to reach 50 percent occupancy next week, as more tenants move in at the start of the new month.

The building is for tenants age 55 and older. The 61 apartments are almost all one-bedroom units, though they vary considerably in size and layout, because planners designed them to conform to the needs of the historic building, rather than redesigning the building to fit the apartments.

There are also two two-bedroom apartments and eight one-bedroom units with dens.

Lori Harris, senior vice president of new owner Norstar Development USA, said the conversion has been a major undertaking: Asbestos removal alone cost more than $1 million.

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