The German Gymnasium
26 Pancras Road
London
NW1 2TB
Telephone: 020 7427 2590
Die Turnhalle, as it was originally known, is a fascinating 19th century building at the gateway to London’s biggest and most exciting regeneration project for 150 years. Originally a Gymnasium, the building is now home to the scale model of the Kings Cross Central development, as well as an unusual and atmospheric event space.
Designed by Edward Gruning and built at a cost of about £6000 in 1864-1865 for use by the German Gymnastics Society, The Gymnasium was funded solely by donations from the German community in London. It is believed to have been the first purpose-built gymnasium in the UK and due to the work of one of its early presidents, Ernst Ravenstein, the building also claims a pivotal role in the birth of the modern Olympics.
The main exercise hall was a grand and elegant space with a floor to ceiling height of 57ft. Vast laminated timber arches used as roof trusses, with their original cast iron hooks from which budding Olympians swung from ropes as a form of exercise are still in place today. Long forgotten sports were practised here, including Indian club swinging and broadsword practice. The German Gymnastics Society adopted a forward thinking approach to women’s exercise, with classes taking place here from as early as 1866.
In 1866 the Gymnasium hosted the indoor events of the first National Olympic Games; an occasion that was to give birth to the modern Olympics we know today.
A timber floor and atria was installed in 1908, and this space is now available for hire as a unique and flexible event space. Enjoy the view of the illuminated Kings Cross Central scale model from high above!
