In 2022, a 20-year-old fashion student at Central St Martins moved into Hollington Youth Centre, a former boxing gym in south London’s Camberwell area. The building had operated as a community boxing gym from 1893 until its closure in 2017 due to lack of funding. The student became a property guardian, part of a scheme allowing people to live affordably in otherwise empty buildings under a rolling 28-day licence, in exchange for accepting limited legal protections and uncertainty about tenancy duration.

Hollington Youth Centre, described by the resident as a “vast, untameable beast,” housed around ten people aged between their mid-20s and late 30s, most drawn by London’s high rental costs. Rents within the property varied, with the student paying £525 per month including bills, while others paid as little as £300, significantly below the typical £800 to £1,200 monthly rent for double rooms in the area. The housemates occupied unique spaces within the building, including a large basketball court and multiple former community rooms.

Despite the building’s size and features—parquet flooring, a bay window, a balcony, and even a stage—the living conditions were challenging. Residents coped with issues like roof leaks, pipe blockages, asbestos, and lack of heating in some rooms. These problems were seldom reported to the managing agency for fear of eviction due to safety concerns. Cleanliness was a persistent struggle, with the student’s mother frequently assisting to maintain common areas.

The building retained its sporting heritage, including boxing equipment such as punch bags and exercise machines. This legacy included Dave Pocknell, a Hollington boxing club member and Olympic boxing coach who contributed to Team GB’s medal success in 2008. Residents personalized the space with additions like a dance pole, ping-pong table, a makeshift pub decorated with Toby jugs, and a pool table.

One notable feature was a six-foot egg-shaped sculpture covered in raw sheep’s wool, nicknamed the “Lamb Moon,” which was temporarily housed on-site but later became infested with moths. The student recalled leaving the property reluctantly in 2024 to move to Berlin, aware they might never again experience such spacious and affordable accommodation in central London. Following their departure, rent for the room increased to £780 and was quickly taken.

The property guardianship model, while offering affordable rent and creative communal living, comes with trade-offs, including a lack of long-term security and restrictions such as prohibitions on children and open flames. In July 2026, Southwark Council revealed plans to demolish the entire Hollington building to make way for a new development that will include flats, with 40 percent designated as affordable housing. Former residents are set to move into a specialized education needs (SEN) school featuring a sensory room and ball pit.

The student reflected on their time at Hollington as a rare opportunity to experience a combination of space, historic character, and central location at a fraction of London’s usual rental costs, describing it as an “unbeatable” blend of novelty and community despite the challenges.