Work is underway to redevelop the YMCA building in Wimbledon.

In December 2020, a resolution to grant consent for the redevelopment of YMCA Wimbledon at 200 The Broadway was approved by Merton Council’s Planning Committee.

The proposals put forward by YMCA St Paul’s Group and their development partner, Thornsett, will allow for the delivery of a new YMCA building, alongside an adjoining development of 135 new homes and two new commercial units at ground floor.

Redevelopment of the site will enable YMCA St Paul’s Group to continue their work in the borough, which has been ongoing for the past 150 years.

The scheme will provide 121 hostel rooms with en-suite bathrooms and cooking facilities, to help give residents a better quality of life and support them back into independent living.

Construction of the scheme will take place in phases, with Phase 1 works for the new YMCA building beginning shortly and expected to be completed by summer 2023.

Phase 2 for the new residential development will commence subsequently and will take a further two years.

In the coming weeks, preliminary works will be undertaken to prepare the site for construction.

Demolition of Tower Lodge will begin in August, followed by Olympic House in September. 

Commenting on the commencement of construction, Councillor Stringer said: “I am delighted to be able to mark the start of a new future for the YMCA in the borough.

"It is exciting to see work begin to provide enhanced accommodation for vulnerable young people locally and to offer facilities that will benefit the whole community, as well as much-needed new homes.”

Richard James, CEO of YMCA St Paul’s Group said: “This is an extremely exciting moment for YMCA St Paul’s Group, our residents and the local community, as we break ground on the new YMCA Wimbledon.

"Our vision is to create places where young people thrive and communities flourish and this new state-of-the-art YMCA building will enable just that."