Squire & Partners are working with Castleforge on the redevelopment of Haggerston Baths to transform the Grade II listed bathhouse – which has been derelict for over 20 years – into a hub for the local community and businesses in Hackney.
Squire & Partners are working with Castleforge on the redevelopment of Haggerston Baths to transform the Grade II listed bathhouse – which has been derelict for over 20 years – into a hub for the local community and businesses in Hackney.
Built at the start of the 20th century, the public baths provided communal facilities to improve the health and fitness of residents in East London. The top-lit pool hall was not only used for swimming but adapted as a venue for boxing matches, dancing and community events when the pool was covered in the winter months; its flanking seats and upper gallery well suited for accommodating spectators.
In addition to the Victorian baths, the site contains a mid-century extension known as the laundry building which was rebuilt following bomb damage sustained in WWII. Further changes were made in the 1960s, including a new entrance which replaced the original ground floor baths and cubicles, and the former first class baths replaced with office and workshop accommodation. Interiors continued to be modernised throughout the late 20th century, and the building was listed at Grade II in the 1980s.
The building was closed by Hackney Council in a 2000 due to health and safety concerns and has remained vacant until now. Added to the At Risk Register by Historic England in 2014, the building will finally be returned to public use with the current proposals, securing its long-term future.
Client Hackney Council
Developer Castleforge
Architect / interior designer Squire & Partners
Heritage consultant Donald Insall Associates
MEP Lehding Services Design
Structural engineer Heyne Tillett Steel
Planning consultant DP9
Quantity surveyor Linesight
BREEAM consultant Create Consulting Engineers Ltd
With unanimous planning approval granted in 2022, the proposals re-purpose the striking top-lit pool hall and create a contemporary annex to provide public and community uses, including event spaces, gallery/exhibition spaces, leisure space, a café, a gymnasium and meeting rooms, as well as flexible workspace and workshops for local start-ups and emerging businesses.
The historic external fabric of the Victorian façade, along with distinctive elements including the brick chimney and metal cupola will be preserved and repaired. Insensitive mid-century interventions will be replaced with a respectful contemporary extension with materials designed to enhance the character of Haggerston Baths.
