The City Baths are listed grade II and are recognised as being of high architectural, historic and communal interest. As one of the first post-World War I public buildings in the city the restrained and well-composed style is typical of public buildings of the time. Following the closure of the City Baths in 2013, the facilities were listed as an asset of community value.
Following a successful bid, Fusion Lifestyle were granted a long lease by Newcastle City Council and they commissioned Napper Architects to deliver their vision for the City Baths: to sustain the heritage values and significance of the building; to restore and reinstate the fine architectural spaces and features; and to remodel the facilities to deliver a viable, contemporary version of the original intention and purpose of the buildings as a sport and leisure venue.
Key elements of the completed works are the restoration of the central pool hall; the conversion of the west pool hall to create a high-quality community health and fitness facility (comprising a large gym and multiple group exercise studios); the restoration of the Turkish Baths (plus the creation of a health suite in the adjacent basement area); the creation of a new food and drink outlet within the reception area; and improved facilities and access for all into and throughout the building.
The completed work has successfully redeveloped the existing buildings whilst maintaining the original character, restored elements of the existing historic fabric, and undertaken sensitive additions to the internal fabric.
