The original Central YMCA building was completed in 1912, as a memorial to the founder of the YMCA, George Williams (who had died in 1905); it replaced the three YMCA centres with which he was most directly associated, in Aldersgate Street, Cornhill and Exeter Hall in the Strand. The building, though smaller than what there is now, was nevertheless monumental, and the public parts (entrance hall, lounge, reading room, theatre, etc) were rather grand, though the gym in the basement and accommodation upstairs were, at best, utilitarian.

By the 1960s, the grandeur was pretty faded; World War II bomb damage had only partly been repaired, and the limited opportunities to extend and develop the building had all been exhausted.

The 60’s was a decade in which it was fashionable to tear old things down and start again; for the first time, it was possible to contemplate the demolition of the (at the time, much loved) 1912 building. But the real impetus came from the realisation in the YMCA movement as a whole that it had to become a two sex organisation.

Central in 1966 was still, to all intents and purposes, for men only, and most of the membership saw no reason to change. By 1969, at the World Council meeting which deleted the words 'among young men' from the Paris Basis, and so formally established the principle that the YMCA was for everyone. New YMCA buildings had already been constructed on that basis, and the new Central building was already on the drawing board.

Why was the old building not adapted to the new use? Because, apart from the fashion for rebuilding, it was totally inflexible. It was an early reinforced concrete structure (with stone cladding, of course), and has been almost ridiculously over-engineered. It was not unusual, when trying to run a new pipe or wire, to find three feet or more of concrete in the way. Once the decision had been taken that YMCA work was not just for men, the old building had to go. 

Today, Central YMCA Club’s continued mission is to improve the wellbeing and health of people living and working in central London through the provision of inspirational fitness, sport and arts-based programmes.

The Club is a spacious and high-quality health and fitness centre - a great place to work-out, get and stay healthy, and to de-stress.