World’s first YMCA shut down for good after 180 years in central London The world’s first YMCA will close its doors for the final time after a failed injunction and be sold to a ‘hotel chain’ in London after running for 180 years.
Joshua von Uexkull, who started the petition, wrote: ‘The sale of the Central YMCA Club to a hotel prioritises tourists over Camden’s local community.
(photo by Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images)] The current site at 112 Great Russell Street opened in 1978 but has been sold to real estate company Criterion Capital.
This is despite becoming central London’s largest gym, including a 25-metre swimming pool, a sauna, a steam room, six exercise studios and a cycling studio.
The Central YMCA, which opened originally in 1844, has been forced to close its doors due to ‘soaring maintenance costs and demographic changes’.
