Name: The Western Baths Club Location: Glasgow Current status: Open Date built: 1876 Architect: Clarke and Bell Listed building status: Category A Lead organisation: Western Baths Club
Description
An outstanding, extremely rare and intact example of an early private members’ swimming facility in Scotland.
The building emulates the form and air of a Venetian Palazzo. The interior features a grand imperial staircase and columned entrance hall; arcaded round-arched hall screen; arcaded, glazed screens with geometric glazing bars to poolside changing rooms; lancet windows in pool hall gables; decorative cast-iron roof brackets to pool with initials W and B detailed in the roundel; early pool apparatus, including hanging rings and trapeze; spittoons and corner steps to pool; extensive polychromatic floor and wall tiling; top-lit cooling room with carved cornice; panelled rooms.
Facilities
Pool, Turkish Baths suite, gym, sports hall, exercise room, billiard room, crèche, meeting room, bar and bistro.
Notable fact
Western Baths Club has been in continual use as a recreational facility since first opening its doors in 1876.
Current plans
The Western Baths Club is thriving and a wonderful example of a swimming baths that has survived difficult times and now boasts over 2,600 members and a waiting list for membership. The Club organises a range of special activities and events.
