Poplar Baths

In 2014, Guildmore was contracted as the partner of choice for the regeneration of Poplar Bathes Leisure facility in conjunction with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

Design and Technical

Guildmore managed the design process and achievement of planning permission screen-shot-2017-01-10-at-14-45-53and listed building consent for a scheme which protected the significant elements of building while permitting demolition of secondary elements to improve project viability and facilitate new leisure uses:

Retaining a single volume space to make the most of the visually and technically stunning original vaulted concrete arch construction
Removing the building’s history of class segregation and opening up the spaces to create a simple, legible, rationalised and unified amenity
Maintaining and using the beautiful things of the building: entrance, staircase, sports hall, including replacing the glazed clerestory and stepped windows
Major remedial works to concealed defective structure including cathodic protection to structural steel frame and removal of chlorine contaminated concrete
Conservation of historic building fabric including repairs to ceramic tiling and terrazzo finishes internally, brickwork and dressed stone externally, together with installation of over 170 replacement Crittal windows
Careful removal and recording of significant historic elements for later reinstatement including rare plunge pool
Selective demolition of part of existing buildings having regard to structural principles of the unusual catenary arch structure
Piling and basement excavation alongside live DLR tracks including contamination remediation
Management of logistics and deliveries for two parallel projects on an exceptionally tight site within a residential area

Client – London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Leisure Operator – Greenwich Leisure Limited

Architects – Pringle Richard Sharratt

Structural Designers – PEP Civil and Structures Ltd

This projects was completed in 2017

Find out more about Poplar Baths history pdf