The Young Women’s Christian Association Tampa (YWCA) chapter was formed in 1913 by Miss Ada Starkweather, who continued an effort to raise funds and increase membership. The goal of the organization was to provide support, recreation, education, fellowship, and housing to professional women who came to the city but had no place to stay. For $65,000, this Mediterranean-style building was constructed in 1931 with plans for executive offices, a cafeteria (sign seen in the photo), and clubrooms on the first floor with dormitory rooms on the top two floors.

In 1959, another story was added to the building next door above the cafeteria. It was initially planned to be a 4-story modification, but the funds were unavailable. By 1961, the YMCA had moved, and the building housed the Cuban Refugee Center. By 1965, it was home to Founders Life Assurance Company after they purchased and remodeled it. They moved out in 1973 to the former Wallace Building. It is now home to Elutions, an artificial intelligence provider. With a motto of “Eliminating racism, empowering women”, the YMCA remains active in Tampa Bay today.

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