YMCA Gym Limbers Up
05 Mar 2009
PHASE one of the new YMCA gym in Nottingham is now complete and attracting new members.
The architects behind the scheme, Rayner Davies Architects, said that the gym’s refurbishment has greatly improved the look of the building – and already membership has increased by 45%.
The listed building on Shakespeare Street needed structural interventions and refurbishment work worth up to £275,000, which vastly developed and improved the efficiency and look of the gym, says Julien McGuiness, of Rayner Davies, who have offices in Nottingham and Maidstone Kent.
The work is the first phase of an ongoing £2m refurbishment plan He said: “Being a grade two listed building, the work is sensitive and time consuming, but we are pleased with the progress on this project. The final aesthetic is modern but compliments the original style of the 1930’s building.”
The look of the new gym deliberately juxtaposes the YMCA’s modern image against the refurbished grade two listed building. Original beam encasements, ornate cornicing, wood flooring and an original 1930’s proscenium arch remain.
The project is being completed in phases in order to allow the gymnasium to keep operating throughout construction. Phase two will see similar improvements to gymnasium areas in the basement, with the refurbishment of changing rooms, saunas and aerobic exercise areas.
Clive Bellaby, estates and assets development manager at YMCA, said: “We are really pleased with the work that Rayner Davies has done here, they have worked well within the time and budget constraints and created something fitting for YMCA’s style.
“The additional increase in membership as a result of the work is fantastic, and we hope this can continue.”
The YMCA - a listed Art Deco building designed by important city architect Cecil Howitt, was previously worked on by Rayner Davies two years ago when they carried out renovation work to introduce staff offices to first floor areas, replace the outmoded customer lift and modernise the main reception area.
The YMCA is keen to promote the gym’s family atmosphere, and is aiming to compete with other well known gym brands with the new refurbishment.
Nottinghamshire YMCA was founded in 1871. The YMCA has been in its current location in Shakespeare Street for more than 100 years. In the 1930s, the original building was demolished and a new one erected which is where the head office is today.
During the thirties, the YMCA was considered to be a most prestigious organisation and was well supported by the Thomas Cook family and Boots.
The Shakespeare Street building dates back to 1937 and was designed by Cecil Howitt, the then housing architect to Nottingham City Council. As well as the YMCA, Howitt designed Nottingham Council House.