Y.M.C.A. Building, Grange Road, Birkenhead

THE NEW Y.M.C.A. BUILDING. FOUNDATION STONE LAYING. The Committee of the Young Men's Christian Association, which at present holds its meetings in somewhat incommodious rooms in Conway Street, are to be congratulated on having commenced their new building in Grange Road under such favourable auspices. The site, which adjoins the Baptist Chapel, is one of the most central and in every way suitable that could have beau secured, and the new building promises to be an ornament to the neighbourhood. The design is that of Mr. W. W. Baldwin, Lincoln's Inn, London, and the resident architect is Mr. J. C Ogle, Hamilton-square. The contract had been placed in the hands of Messrs. Bleakley and Sons, Birkenhead. The building, which will be in the Victoria renaissance style of architecture, is to be constructed of red brick and terracotta. It will have a frontage of 60 feet. Internally the arrangements are to be particularly compact as well as spacious. The principal entrance in Grange Road will be through an arched doorway 12 feet wide, leading into an entrance hall 18 feet wide, and the public hall, reading room, library, etc. will be reached by spacious staircases. On the ground floor, on either side of entrance hall, will be two large shops 28 feet by 19 feet with cellarage. The secretary's office commands the entrance from a landing which will be reached by nine or ten steps from the entrance hall. Over the shops and entrance hall, on the first floor, will be placed the lecture room and young men's parlour, all looking into Grange-road, and capable of being made en suite if desired. The gymnasium in the rear of the entrance hall, bat on a lower level, will be a special feature of the building. There will also be a balcony looking into it. At the Baptist Chapel side of this room there will be a lean to, in which will be placed the bathrooms, lavatories, and other offices, all of which may be easily reached from the dressing room. There will be an extra wide staircase leading up from the gymnasium at the rear to the public hall above, which will have the effect of , rapidly emptying the gymnasium or the public hall if necessary. The public hall will be 72 feet long by 40 feet wide and will be capable of accommodating 700 persons. This room is immediately over the gymnasium, and it is intended to put a gallery into it at some future date. When this is done the hall will be capable of holding about 1,000 people. , The orchestra will be placed at the Oliver Street end, with retiring rooms on either side, and balconies in each of them. Classrooms arc to be provided in various positions, and also large storage rooms and rooms for the caretaker. There will, in addition, be provided a dark room for the benefit of the camera club, and a room specially set apart for games of various kinds, adjoining the gymnasium.  The public ball is to be heated by hot water, but the other rooms mainly by fireplaces, which will give a more home-like appearance. Especial attention has been given to the procuring of ample light and ventilation. The cost of the premises, including site, is expected to be about £8,000, towards which subscriptions amounting to £5,700 have been promised, and of this amount the president, Mr. Charles J. Procter, has contributed no less than £1,100.[Birkenhead News 17 May 1890 page 6]

OPENING OF THE Y.M.C. A. NEW BUILDING - On Wednesday afternoon the magnificent new structure of the Young Men's Christian Association in Grange Road was formally opened. A building such as the present one for the accommodation of members has been looked forward to for many years, and the endeavours towards this aim of Mr. Proctor, the popular president. Mr. Forsyth, the energetic secretary, and a few others, have been unceasing. They are at length amply rewarded for their strenuous efforts, and the only remaining anxiety is to clear off the comparatively small amount which is yet owing for the construction of the new quarters. As to the building itself it is situated at the upper end of Grange Road, with Ohym's circus and the Baptist Chapel on either side. It is central, and in every way a more suitable site could not have been purchased. In addition to its usefulness the building is a decided ornament to the borough. The design was that of Mr. W. W. Baldwin, Lincoln's Inn, London, and the resident architect was Mr. I. C. Ogle, Hamilton Square. The contract was carried out in the most satisfactory manner by Mr. Alex. Bleakley, of this town. The building is in the Victorian style of architecture constructed of red brick and terra cotta. It has a frontage of 60 feet. The principal entrance in Grange Road is through an arched doorway, 12 feet wide, leading to an entrance hall, 18 feet wide. The public hall, reading room, library, etc., are reached by spacious staircases. On each side of the entrance are shops, 28 feet by 19 feet, with cellarage. The secretary's office commands the entrance from a landing reached by nine or ten steps from the doorway. Over the entrance and shops are the lecture room, and young men's parlour looking into Grange Road, and capable of being made en suite if desired. The gymnasium in the rear of the entrance hall, but on a lower level, is a special feature. In this most important department, which was recently opened by the president there is a balcony looking into the "arena." At the Baptist Chapel side there is a lean-to in which are placed the bathrooms, lavatories, and offices, all of which may be easily reached from the dressing rooms. There will be an extra wide staircase leading up from the gymnasium at the rear to the large hall above which will have the effect of rapidly emptying the gymnasium of the public hall if requisite. The public hall is 86 feet long by 40 feet wide and is capable of accommodating 800 persons. With the gallery at the back however the room will hold quite another 200 people. The orchestra is at the Oliver Street end, with retiring rooms and balconies on either side. Classrooms are provided in various positions, together with large storage rooms, and apartments for the caretaker. Lovers of the photographic art will be pleased to learn that a dark room is provided for the benefit of the camera club. Other rooms are set apart for games of various kinds, irrespective of the gymnasium. The public hall is heated by hot water and the rest of the building by fires, which it was very sensibly decided gave the place a more homely appearance. Special attention has been given to the procuring of ample light and ventilation. The cost of the premises is £9,000, and towards this the president has contributed over £1,000. The following is a list of the sub-contractors or those supplying_ specialities: - Painting and decorating, Mr. J. Russell. Grange Road; Ornamental lead glazing, Lackland and Co., Conway Street; Mantels, grates, etc., Hinson and Co., Argyle Street; Higgs and Smith, Lord-street, Liverpool; Bingham and Co., London; Doulton and Co., Liverpool. Gas fittings, Robert Hamilton, Conway Street; Higgs and Smith, Liverpool; Benson and Co., London; Terra Cotta, J. E. Edwards and Co., Ruabon. Marble mosaic, Patterson and Co., Manchester. Tile hearths, Higgs and Smith, Liverpool. Heating apparatus, Hinson and Co., Argyle Street. [Birkenhead News 29 November 1890 page 3]

BIRKENHEAD - The new Y.M.C.A. building in Grange Road was opened on Wednesday week. It is described as Victorian Renaissance in style, has a frontage of 60 feet, and is faced with red bricks and terracotta. On the ground floor on either side of the central entrance hall is a shop, 28ft. by 19ft., with cellar below, and in rear of the shops are the secretary's office and a classroom. Over the shops and entrance hall, on the first floor, are the lecture room or library 28ft. by 19ft., and two reading rooms 38ft. by 19ft., and 18ft. by 15ft. respectively, folding doors being provided between these rooms. On the second floor are residential apartments for the secretary, committee-rooms, &c. The gymnasium, in the rear of the entrance hall, but on a lower level, has a floor space of 70ft. by 40ft. At the one end is a visitors' gallery, and along the west side there are dressing, and bathrooms. The public hall, 86ft. by 40ft., and accommodating over 900 persons, is placed over the gymnasium, and has four classrooms, averaging each l7 feet square. The public hall, gymnasium, and dressing-rooms are heated by hot water, and the reading rooms, library, and classrooms with open fireplaces. The architect is Mr. W. Wallis Baldwin, Lincoln's Inn-fields, W. C., under whose supervision and that of Mr. J. C. Ogle, jun., the work has been carried out by the contractor, Mr. Alexander Bleakley, Claughton-road, Birkenhead. [Building News 5 December 1890 page 37]

Reference    Birkenhead News 17 May 1890 page 6 – foundation stone
Reference    Birkenhead News 29 November 1890 page 3 - opening
Reference    Building News 5 December 1890 page 37 – opening
Reference    Birkenhead News 11 June 1892 page 8 - decorations