New £13m nine-storey tall YMCA campus is completed in Central Milton Keynes

The project will "transform" the lives of young people in MK, say the builders.

It will provide much-needed housing, employment opportunities and deliver real social value for those who need it most.

The new campus was made possible by a land swap deal between the YMCA charity, MK council and MKDP, which is the council's business arm.

It involved demolishing the existing 1970s-built YMCA facility on North Seventh Street and building a new high rise block for the charity on half of the space.

The other half was be used for a high-rise block of 250 apartments to be sold privately.

“The apartment development will fund the building of the new YMCA and make its future secure,” said council leader Pete Marland when the deal was struck.

The new YMCA building consists of the 199 apartments, accompanying offices, community facilities and commercial units.

It was built by main contractor Bowmer + Kirkland,

Property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard provided architectural services for the scheme.

John Sharp, regional director at Pick Everard said: “This 199-apartment scheme will transform the lives of at-risk youth in Milton Keynes and represents a significant upgrade to YMCA MK’s existing facilities.

“The scheme not only provides affordable homes but has also created conference room facilities, meeting rooms, a nursery, cafe and space for local businesses. Social enterprises on the ground floor level will also offer employment and training opportunities for the local community.

.“The new campus has transformed YMCA MK’s offering and it’s a project we’re proud to have been involved in.”

Simon Green, chief executive at YMCA Milton Keynes, said: “The new YMCA Milton Keynes Campus provides much needed homes to more than 200 young adults in a high-quality environment right in the heart of Milton Keynes. Our innovative project could only be delivered through the backing of many supporters including Homes England, the South-East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership, The National Lottery Community Fund, MyMK BID, Milton Keynes Council, The Garfield West Foundation, and many other small supporters."

He added: “The homes provided – as well as the nursery, coffee shop, conference facilities, retail units and social enterprise hub - create a fabulous community facility for Milton Keynes and especially its young people."