Stunning leisure centre and apartments included

Soho’s famous Marshall Street baths, abandoned for more than a decade, are to restored to their former glory as part of a massive redevelopment comprising a stunning leisure centre.

Opening two years ahead of the London 2012 Olympics, the new complex is destined to be hugely popular with local residents and visitors.

The redevelopment will also include nine modern flats.

The restoration of the baths – first opened in 1852 – and additional development of the area at a total cost of £25 million will undoubtedly be a magnet for local people keen to maintain their fitness as well as budding swimming champions of the future.

“The baths will be open in 2010 and the timing could not be better,” said Andrew Forman, Partner of Finch Forman Chartered Architects. “This ambitious transformation of the area will have the historic baths at its heart.”

Building work has already begun, and according to Forman when finished the baths will be restored to their original glory.

Intricate work to be carried out includes:

Restoring and repairing original materials to retain the character and history of the baths;

The design of a modern leisure centre within the existing shell in a modern idiom, but not overwhelming the original ambience;

Retaining and repairing specific features which led to the original listing of the building. For example the marble lined pool, original marble lined entrance hall – which will become a coffee/waiting space in the new scheme – staircases and balustrades, terrazzo panelling, decorative joinery for doors, screens and panelling;

Floors 2-4 to become six high quality flats including a new 4th floor forming part of three new duplex flats, all constructed to achieve greater than current standards for sustainable construction.

Careful development of the new leisure centre will include not only the restoration of the original Sicilian marble-lined pool, but also the building of a new gym, sauna and health suite comprising dance and exercise studios.

When it opens in two years time Marshall Street will be the third new leisure facility to open in as many years in Westminster, on top of major refurbishments of five existing indoor and outdoor sites.

As part of the development 52 new homes will be built, of which 15 will be part of an affordable housing scheme.

The Soho car park also will be upgraded and reduced in size, and a brand new fit for purpose cleansing depot in Dufours Place will be built.

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