DLA Architecture started work on the first phase of the £30 million mixed-use redevelopment of YMCA in Wimbledon.

This includes the delivery of a 121-room hostel with much improved amenity and a second phase delivery of 135 new private homes with ground floor retail spaces and public realm.

DLA was appointed by joint venture partnership Thornsett and YMCA St.Paul's Group following a design competition in 2018 and secured planning consent in June.

YMCA St. Paul’s Group CEO Richard James said: "YMCA has become a key partner to London Borough of Merton 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. DLA has designed a high quality but viable scheme that fits well with the local landscape in terms of height, massing and fabric. 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."

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The new hostel will provide much improved facilities to allow residents a much better quality of life and support them back into independent living. These include ensuite bathrooms with shared kitchen facilities in every corridor, a gym, bigger studio space for fitness classes, a children’s play area and new YMCA café.

The adjoining second phase of development of 135 private homes will financially support the redevelopment of the YMCA. Two commercial units are incorporated at ground floor level fronting along The Broadway, presenting job opportunities and reactivating this part of the shopping parade.

Alejandro Carrajo, Project Architect at DLA Architecture, said: "We are delighted to see progress for this exciting project which will significantly improve an important asset for the local community where YMCA residents and the neighbouring community can thrive.

"These are sustainably designed buildings, which aim to achieve a 100% carbon reduction through the delivery of a fabric first approach, an air source heat pump solution in both elements of the development and a range of other sustainable measures.

"The project programme is challenging since we needed to balance viability and phasing with contextual contemporary architecture. Local residents and planning officers asked us to create an architectural response that captures the allusive essence of Wimbledon town centre and we believe that we have delivered this."

Contractor Neilcott Construction has been appointed for the first phase of this Wimbledon central site at 200 Broadway. Completion of phase one for the new YMCA facility is expected by Spring 2023 whilst the second phase of private residential units will complete in Summer 2025.