Ironmonger Row Baths: Difference between revisions
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|£16 million refurbishment plan announced. The work is planned for completion in 2012.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=The Evening Standard (London)|date=May 18, 2009|title=£16M To Scrub Up Capital's Oldest Turkish Baths|quote=Plans to restore the 71-year-old art deco Ironmonger Row Baths are expected to be approved by Islington on Thursday. The council will contribute £12 million and the Government almost £4 million... It is hoped the work will be completed by 2012.}}</ref> |
|£16 million refurbishment plan announced. The work is planned for completion in 2012.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=The Evening Standard (London)|date=May 18, 2009|title=£16M To Scrub Up Capital's Oldest Turkish Baths|quote=Plans to restore the 71-year-old art deco Ironmonger Row Baths are expected to be approved by Islington on Thursday. The council will contribute £12 million and the Government almost £4 million... It is hoped the work will be completed by 2012.}}</ref> |
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==Archival materials== |
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Islington Local History Centre holds plans, photographs and commemorative material related to Ironmonger Row Baths.<ref>[http://www.islington.gov.uk/localhistory|Islington Local History Centre homepage</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 21:06, 20 July 2010
| Ironmonger Row Baths | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Classification | Grade II Listed |
| Location | Islington, London |
| Address | 1-11 Ironmonger Row |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Opened | 1931 |
| Management | Aqua Terra Leisure |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | AWS & KMB Cross |
| Other information | |
| Facilities | steam room, hot rooms, massage slabs, plunge pool, launderette |
| Website | |
| http://www.aquaterra.org/ironmonger-row-baths | |
Ironmonger Row Baths were built as a public wash house and later upgraded to a Turkish Bath. They are located at 1-11 Ironmonger Row, in the district of St Luke's, near Old Street, Islington, London.
Description
The baths include a steam room, a series of three hot rooms of varying temperature, marble slabs for massage and body scrubbing and an icy plunge pool.[1] In addition there are two relaxation areas. As of February 2007, the sessions on Mondays are mixed-sex; other days are single-sex.[2]
The swimming pool is slightly over 30 metres long. There is a small sauna next to the pool.
There is also a well equipped modern gym located within the building. There is also a communal laundry facility (launderette) in the building.
The whole building will be undergoing extensive renovations commencing from May 2010, subject to planning approval. All areas of the building and all facilities will be improved, with the gym relocated to a much larger space within the building, and a more friendly swimming pool and kid's shallow pool created. The Turkish Baths will also be renovated. The works are expected to take two years and hopefully open in time for the London Olympic Games in 2012.[3]
History
The baths were designed by architects AWS & KMB Cross, and built in 1931. They are now managed by Aqua Terra Leisure. From just after the Second World War until the new complex at Crystal Palace was built in the late 60's, the baths were the home of the world famous Highgate Diving Club, who held their club night there every Friday and also met during the public sessions on Saturday mornings. The Olympic diver, Brian Phelps (Bronze medal - Highboard diving in 1960 Olympics) trained there regularly with his coach, Wally Orner, as did many of the club's international and Olympic divers, such as John Chandler, John Cooze, John Miles, Billy Wood, and Alun Roberts. It was listed grade II in November 2006 and is located within St. Luke’s Conservation Area.[citation needed]
Timeline
Archival materials
Islington Local History Centre holds plans, photographs and commemorative material related to Ironmonger Row Baths.[4]
References
- ^ Oxford, Esther (03 August 1994). "Bath Time: Faded grandeur, a few hours' relaxation and the chance to pick up delicious gossip. Esther Oxford samples the pleasures of Turkish baths for women". The Independent.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Mowbray, Nicole (22 January 2006). "The Escape guide: 50 best spas". The Observer.
These baths, in a Thirties building near Old Street, are far from luxurious but retain a charm with their dark wood and velvet-curtained relaxation area. Be sure to have a scrub, carried out with simple soap and a scrubbing brush on a marble slab. There are male- and female-only days.
- ^ "Ironmonger Row (Turkish) Baths". The London Insider. 2008-10-19. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
- ^ [http://www.islington.gov.uk/localhistory%7CIslington Local History Centre homepage