A heritage charity alongside a London advocacy group has submitted a request to officially recognize the structure that once housed the world’s first purpose-built YMCA, following its recent closure earlier this year.

The Twentieth Century Society and the ExY Club have reached out to Historic England, seeking to safeguard the Brutalist building located on Great Russell Street.

A representative from the Twentieth Century Society expressed that obtaining a listing would guarantee that “regardless of what the future brings, the building’s significant architectural characteristics will remain intact.”

The former YMCA ceased operations in February after being acquired late last year by Criterion Capital, a real estate firm. The company has been asked for comments regarding the matter.

The Central YMCA had been functioning at its Great Russell Street location since 1977.

Despite a petition aimed at preserving the site that garnered over 8,000 supporters, it closed as scheduled on February 7.

Both the Twentieth Century Society and the ExY Club, previously known as the Save the YMCA Club Committee, have petitioned Historic England to obtain a listing for the building.

The in-depth submission from the ExY Club seeks to enhance the application put forth by The Twentieth Century Society, emphasizing the building’s design and its role as a community hub and leisure facility.

“The building has recently been sold, which may lead to changes in the interior configuration and could potentially alter the function and nature of its historic purpose—an essential aspect of its communal, historic, and architectural relevance,” the application detailed.

The Twentieth Century Society’s documentation articulated that the “Brutalist concrete megastructure” possesses “significant historic and architectural merit.”

A spokesperson from The Twentieth Century Society informed the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “The Brutalist landmark in Bloomsbury has evident historical significance as the site of the world’s first YMCA, and its designation as an Asset of Community Value highlights its importance to those who have frequented it in recent years.

“Granting national listing status to the building would ensure that, regardless of future developments, its remarkable architectural qualities are preserved.”

A representative from Historic England confirmed that they are currently evaluating the building for potential listing.

“We will provide our advice to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in due course, which will subsequently make the final determination on this matter,” they stated.