Portsmouth gym where Hollywood 'Terminator' Arnold Schwarzenegger once trained to be sold in auction

A FORMER Portsmouth gym which counted Hollywood bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger as a distinguished member is to be sold in auction.
Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in Skydance Productions and Paramount Pictures' "TERMINATOR: DARK FATE."Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in Skydance Productions and Paramount Pictures' "TERMINATOR: DARK FATE."
Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in Skydance Productions and Paramount Pictures' "TERMINATOR: DARK FATE."

Guided at £300-330,000 freehold, the vacant property at 2A Hellyer Road, Southsea, is among 102 lots listed across southern England by regional land and property auctioneers Clive Emson.

The former Lougars Gym & Fitness Centre had once been the home of the action-hero-turned-politician during his time in the city in the 1960s.

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Rob Marchant, Clive Emson’s Hampshire auctioneer and a member of Portsmouth Property Association, said: ‘A lot of people will have worked out at Lougars Gym & Fitness Centre, which counted Arnie “Mr Universe” Schwarzenegger as an illustrious member when he lived here in the city in the 1960s to train with the best.

Lougars Gym & Fitness Centre where Arnie used to train during the 1960sLougars Gym & Fitness Centre where Arnie used to train during the 1960s
Lougars Gym & Fitness Centre where Arnie used to train during the 1960s

‘The two-storey property is likely to attract keen interest, perhaps from previous users. Perhaps Arnie himself might want to make a bid for old time’s sake.

‘Planning permission is pending for three two-bedroom flats in the style of New York lofts.’

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Elsewhere, a two-bedroom terraced house, said to be in a ‘poor state of repair and requiring significant upgrading and refurbishment’, is guided freehold at £130,000-plus and is at 148 Fawcett Road, Southsea.

Conan the Destroyer in Portsmouth 1969.

Seen with other body builders in Gordon's Gym is Arnold Schwarzenegger late star of Hollywood.  Photo: Gordon AllenConan the Destroyer in Portsmouth 1969.

Seen with other body builders in Gordon's Gym is Arnold Schwarzenegger late star of Hollywood.  Photo: Gordon Allen
Conan the Destroyer in Portsmouth 1969. Seen with other body builders in Gordon's Gym is Arnold Schwarzenegger late star of Hollywood. Photo: Gordon Allen
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Also in Southsea, at 114 Waverley Road, is a former warehouse arranged as three craft workshops/studios. Freehold, the guide price if £280-300,000.

Rob said: ‘The first and second floor units are let under the terms of short-term commercial licences while the ground floor unit is shortly to be vacated.

‘It is considered that the building is ideally suited to continued use in its current guise and for addition to an income-producing commercial property portfolio.

‘Alternatively, the building may have scope and potential for other uses including residential conversion, subject to all necessary consents being obtainable.’

114 Waverley Road, Southsea, is up for auction114 Waverley Road, Southsea, is up for auction
114 Waverley Road, Southsea, is up for auction
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A freehold three-bedroom house at 32 Langford Road, Buckland, is chalked for ‘significant upgrading and refurbishment’. with a guide price of £170-180,000, it is being sold by joint auctioneers are Chinneck Shaw.

Leasehold, with a guide price of £190-210,000, is a two/three-bedroom flat at 1, 39 High Street, Old Portsmouth. Joint auctioneers of the first-floor property, which has ‘splendid views of Portsmouth Cathedral from the living room’, are Fry & Kent.

Rob said: ‘The apartment is considered idea for continued use as a letting investment, for owner occupation or potentially for use as a weekend retreat or holiday home.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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