Demolition Work Set To Start on YMCA Building
First stage of £30 million project which will include flats, shops and new hostel
CGI of how the YMCA Wimbledon development might look. Picture: DLA Architects
July 30, 2021
After a decade in the pipeline, the YMCA building in Wimbledon is set to be demolished in the first stage of a £30 million project.
On the site, a new 121 room YMCA hostel and 135 flats will be built. The current eight-storey YMCA building and six-storey Olympic House office block will be demolished to make way for the new development.
The new hostel will include rooms with en-suite bathrooms, a gym, children’s play area and new YMCA cafe.
The sale of the new flats is expected to fund the YMCA hostel. The ground floor of the flats will include a couple of shop spaces.
The plans were given the green light by Merton Council in December with the demolition approved last month.
Overall, 107 locals objected to the plans while 101 wrote letters in support of the redevelopment.
At the time, Abbey Ward councillor Eleanor Stringer wrote, “We and other residents, were nervous about one large unloved building being replaced with another. Thankfully, following substantial input from local residents, we believe that this proposal offers a development that will benefit the local community as a whole.”
But the Wimbledon Hill Residents’ Association objected to the development, said the nine-storey development is just too tall for the area.
In a letter to the council, the association said that instead of luxury flats there should be affordable rented properties.
YMCA St. Paul’s Group CEO Richard James said, “YMCA has become a key partner to Merton Council in the provision of supported accommodation for young and vulnerable people for many years. We are also home to a cross-section of the community who come through our one front door to access affordable activities.
“Whilst our work has evolved in response to the needs, our building desperately needs to catch up.
“We’re delighted to be breaking ground with this exciting development which will enable us to support vulnerable and young people as well as offer facilities that will benefit the whole community.”
The development is expected to take place in two stages, the first being the new hostel which is expected to be completed by 2023, followed by the flats which have a target of 2025 to finish.
Tara O'Connor - Local Democracy Reporter