Backing to give central London YMCA building listed status
The YMCA occupied the site on Great Russell Street for more than 100 years and was the organisation's first purpose-built building
Last updated 30th May 2025
A campaign to get listed status for the world's first purpose-built YMCA building - in central London - has received the backing of the Twentieth Century Society (C20 Society).
Designed by Michael Mulchinet of the Elsworth Sykes Partnership and built between 1971-77, the brutalist Bloomsbury landmark on Great Russell Street is a vast and multi-layered example of a post-war megastructure.
It was announced in December 2024 that the developers Criterion Capital had acquired the Central YMCA building, which subsequently closed to members in February 2025.
Criterion Capital already own the underground ‘Zedwell’ hotel within the basement of the building, with the upper parts of the building leased by the St Giles Hotel Group.
It is unclear if the hotel group intends to remain or sell their lease. The site is currently excluded from the conservation areas that surrounds it on all sides, and is vulnerable to full-scale demolition or a damaging redevelopment.
The Save the ExCYMCA campaign, established by group of members who wish restore the club to active use, have already secured Asset of Community Value status for the building and have recently submitted a listing application to Historic England.
History of Central YMCA building
The first YMCA was established in London in 1844 by Sir George Williams, providing a support network and space for the benefit of young Christian men and their families.
The YMCA soon became a global movement and the first YMCA World Conference was organised in Paris in 1855. This conference led to the creation of the Central International Committee, which from 1878 was based in Geneva, Switzerland (and which eventually became known as the ‘World YMCA’).
The YMCA occupied the site on Great Russell Street for over 100 years. The first YMCA building, designed by Rowland Plumbe in a Neo- Baroque style and opened in 1904, was on a much smaller scale to the current building.
It contained accommodation for approximately 300 people, along with a theatre for 350 people, and a lounge, gymnasium and swimming pool in a single-storey basement, together with committee rooms, offices and ancillary accommodation.
By the 1970s, the YMCA deemed the building no longer fit for its needs and believed it to be incapable of adaption. The decision was taken therefore, to demolish the Edwardian building and redevelop the site.
Work began on the project in 1971 and fully completes in 1977.
Close to the site, further up Great Russell Street, is the YMCA residential club, built in 1928-32 for the Young Women’s Christian Association by Sir Edwin Lutyens, which is Grade II listed.