Curious about a place where history swims alongside fitness? This is King’s Hall Leisure Centre. It is more than just a place to exercise. It’s a landmark with a story etched in its very stones.
King’s Hall Leisure Centre first opened its doors in February 1897. Its original name was Hackney Public Baths. Lord Russell of Killowen inaugurated the baths. He was the Lord Chief Justice at the time. Almost 150000 people visited the baths in its first five months.
Edward Harnor and Frederick Pinches designed King’s Hall Leisure Centre. They won a competition in 1892. Construction began in 1894. A legal dispute delayed the grand opening.
The building showcases a Free Renaissance style. Its front is made of Portland stone. It features a slate roof. The facade has three storeys and an attic. An irregular four-bay front catches the eye. The third bay is pedimented and breaks forward. A front balustrade features ornamental railings.
The ground floor is rusticated. Pedimented Ionic doorcases invite you in. Arched entrances stand in the second and fourth bays. Arched windows with mullions adorn the first and third bays. A frieze at first-floor level adds detail. The first storey has four-light windows. Rusticated pilasters divide the bays. A string course marks the second floor. Four-light windows grace the second floor. Above, a frieze proclaims HACKNEY PUBLIC BATHS. A pedimented dormer sits atop the third bay.
Step inside King’s Hall Leisure Centre. You’ll find numerous original features. Cornices still adorn the entrance areas. The cafe and changing areas have top-lighting. Some even have open trusses. The main pool was originally the men’s first class pool. It was also known as the King’s Pool. A gallery overlooks the pool. Ornamental rails front it. Walls are lined with glazed white brick. An open iron trussed roof covers the pool.
Originally, there were separate pools for different classes and genders. The former men’s second class pool has been transformed. It is now a dance studio and fitness suite. The Ladies’ pool is now a sports hall. It retains its impressive open hammerbeam roof. Sadly, the gallery and changing cubicles are gone.
The front block retains many features. The decorative cast iron staircase remains. The decorative tiled lining still graces the stairs. The first floor front committee room still has its panelling.
Hackney embraced the Public Baths and Washhouses Act in 1891. The King’s Bath once served as a public hall. It could accommodate 1500 people. In 1937, significant changes occurred. Russian steam baths were installed. There were plans to demolish King’s Hall Leisure Centre. These plans arose in the late 1930s and late 1960s but never happened. A major modernization took place in the early 1990s.
Today, King’s Hall Leisure Centre stands as a Grade II listed building. It embodies Victorian values of cleanliness and fitness. It also offers a glimpse into Hackney’s past. Its architecture and surviving features provide a unique experience. So next time you’re here, remember you’re not just swimming. You’re swimming through history.