York Road Library & Public Baths.

Client

Rushbond Group

Size

16,000 Sq Ft

Local Authority

Leeds City Council

Sectors

Leisure

Key Project Information

Our expert teams secured planning permission and Listed Building consent for the conversion of the iconic library and public baths building on York Road, Leeds.
This was an important Grade II Listed Building on the council’s Buildings at Risk Register.
The Library was originally designed for Leeds City Council by Architects HA Chapman and opened in 1903. On a key strategic gateway into Leeds City Centre, the stone and brick building, with its grand elevation onto York Road, had sat empty and unused since the Library closed back in the 1970’s.
Leading low-cost gym operator, The Gym Group, now occupy the building.

This is a much-loved Leeds icon, which holds memories for so many people including local residents and all those who visited the Library or went to the baths for their school swimming lessons!

“Finding new and suitable uses for such historic assets is often challenging and particularly when it’s important to remain true to its heritage, but in many respects a gym is an ideal use and the building can once again contribute to the health and wellbeing of the local community

Mark Finch, Director, Rushbond Group

Pegasus Group provided planning and heritage services in order to secure planning permission and listed building consent for the conversion of the former York Road library and public baths in Leeds to a gym and fitness centre.

The proposals were to bring back into use an important Grade II Listed Building on the council’s Buildings at Risk Register and included the refurbishment of the building – including some of the original decorative tiled walls and timber screens – and the addition of a new, modern extension to the rear.

The development was set to create 16,000 sq ft of studio space, weight rooms and a full suite of fitness equipment across two levels.

The building was originally designed by H.A. Chapman for Leeds City Council and opened in 1903 as public baths with a 23m pool, Russian ladies’ and gents’ baths and a library with a lending department, news room and reading rooms.

The gym is now open for business.