The YMIA is so much identified with the Gokhale Hall.  It is very difficult to think of the YMIA  without the Gokhale Hall.  In this partnership and mutual identity, Gokhale Hall has attained such great popularity that it very often shadows the YMIA  of which it is part.  Its construction which was entrusted to Rao Saheb G.Subbiah Chetty a founder life member and member of the Governing Body was completed in 1916, and it immediately became the centre of public activity in Madras, and no public meeting of first class importance could be thought of without its being held in Gokhale Hall.

Though there is comfortable sitting accommodation for 1500 it is licensed for 1000 and has easily the best accessible  property, which no other Hall in the city of Madras command to the same extent. Throughout the period of 30 years, the hall had  increasing usefulness to hold public meetings,  music performances,  students gatherings and various other public events. The Indian Fine Arts Society, among other public institutions has so much identified itself with the Gokhale Hall to hold its Musical performances for well over two decades, that the management has showed its appreciation by giving that society some preference in the use of the hall for its Musical performances.