The triangular site between Swanston, Victoria and Franklin streets was reserved for a public bath facility in 1850. Melbourne City Council opened the first City Baths on 9 January 1860, which housed public baths, and separate street entrances. Two classes of facilities were provided, with second class cubicles containing "slipper baths" on ground level, and "first class baths" on the main floor and a mikvah and turkish baths. The popularity of the swimming pool increased with the introduction of mixed bathing in 1947, and it became the venue for swimming competitions. After a period of decline and demolition threats in the 1970s, the building was saved by a Builders Labourers Federationgreen ban. Later being extensively renovated and restored in 1981–83, designed by Kevin Greenhatch with Gunn Williams & Fender. The rear furnace and caretakers cottage were replaced with squash courts and gym space in a matching red brick, the pools were restored though most of the numerous changing booths were removed, most of the bath cubicles replaced with other facilities, and a single entrance stair created. The first class ladies baths with the "mikva bath" on the first floor were retained as the spa area. The baths now house two swimming pools, spa, sauna, squash courts and a gymnasium. The mikveh bath was renovated in 2013. To cater for all types of swimmers, the swimming pool is divided into four lanes: an aqua play lane, a medium lane, a fast lane and a slow lane. The City Baths is the largest swimming pool in the Melbourne city centre.
Architecture
The City Baths is one of the most significant example of Edwardian civic architecture in Melbourne, combining Edwardian red-brick with rich cream painted Edwardian Baroque elements, in a bold "blood and bandages" palette. The highly articulated facade wraps around the corners of the site, and the roofline is enlivened by multiple cupola-roofed belvederes, the tall pedimented gables of the pool roofs, and roof ridges and vents in red-painted corrugated iron. The three storey central entrance bay incorporates arched openings emphasised by banded voussoirs, and an open pediment on paired pilasters forming the entry, flanked by long two storey wings either side.
