Manchester Baths and Wash-houses, New Islington

MANCHESTER NEW BATHS AND WASHHOUSES - The competitive designs for new baths, washhouses, and public room, in New Islington, Manchester, were exhibited on Monday, at the new Town Hall., Thirty designs were sent in, the first prize of £200 being awarded to one bearing the motto, "Economy well considered," shown by Mr. J. Johnson, 12, Queen Victoria-street,  London; the second of £100, to Messrs Mangnall and Littlewood, Brown-street, Manchester, and which bore the motto of "Perseverance ;" and the third of £50, to "Concilio et Labore," shown by Mr. J. Lowe, 12, Mansfield Chambers, St. Ann's Square, Manchester. [Manchester Times 17 November 1877 page 6]

Mr. John Johnson, of No. 12, Queen Victoria Street, London, has gained the first prize of by drawings distinguished oy the motto, “Economy well considered." The architects estimate for the entire building is given £15,300, and of the engineering and fitting work as making total of £19,600. The following are some of the particulars of this design -Situated at the corner of the plot formed by New Islington and Baker Street, is the public hall of two storeys, each room being feet by feet, the upper floor being supported by wrought iron beams. The approaches are by means stone stairs and ample passages, and the requisite rooms and conveniences, with a gallery one end and the two sides, are shown upon the plans. The two large swimming baths are approached by means of double entrance hall in Baker-street, the first-class bath being 80 feet, provided with 00 dressing compartments; and the second-class bath being 100 feet in length and feet wide, with dressing compartments. Thirty-two first class private baths are arranged in galleries extending above the swimming bath, and these are reached means of stairs from the entrance hall. Eighteen ladies' private baths are arranged on the second floor, above the laundries. The swimming baths are placed longitudinally parallel with what we call the back wall, the wash-houses and laundries are at the corner of Baker Street and Horne Street, and the two-storied public hall is at the corner of New Islington and Baker Street. The general design of the exterior and interior is in plain simple Italian style, with little in the way of ornament, and the drawings are well executed. [Manchester Courier 15 November 1877 page 6]

MANCHESTER NEW BATHS AND WASHHOUSES. THE Manchester Guardian gives a brief description of the three designs for which premiums have been awarded in the above competition. The first prize of £200 was secured by Mr. John Johnson, of 9, Queen Victoria-street, London, who had adopted the motto “Economy Well Considered.” The ground plan shows the public hall at the corner of New Islington and Baker-street, the reason for that position being that it is better lighted and more accessible for public purposes. So that the floor area may be unencumbered, Mr. Johnson proposes using for carrying the floor, strong wrought-iron girders with cast-iron brackets at the end. The entrances to swimming-baths are in Baker-street, with recessed porch, one side being for the first-class and the other for second-class. The first-class entrance hall leads direct to the waiting-room, and then the bath, which has a water surface of 89ft. by 25ft. There are 60 dressing-boxes, diving board, and other appurtenances. The second-class entrance hall is similar to the first-class, with an additional waiting- room, useful for Saturday nights and other crowded occasions. This bath has a water surface of 106ft. by 29ft. There are 68 dressing boxes and other accommodation. On the first floor is a public hall, 72ft. by 36ft. over the one on ground floor, approached by two flights of spacious stone stairs. As this upper hall would perhaps be used for concerts, &c., the architect suggests that a gallery should be erected around three sides. Retiring rooms, with lavatories, are provided for each hall. The 32 first-class private baths, approached by well-lighted stone stairs from the entrance-hall, are placed on a gallery around the swimming hath, and supported by rolled iron joists, built in the wall. Ladies’ private baths, 18 in number, are placed on the first floor, so as to give as much space as possible to laundry purposes on the ground floor. The exterior design, principally of brick, is of a very plain and simple Italian character, Mr. Johnson “trusting only to the architectural proportions and grouping of the structure for effect.” The interior is equally plain and simple. The warming of the building would be by means of steam pipes. The estimated cost of the building generally is £15,300, and for the engineering work and fittings £4,300. [Building News 16 November 1877 page 496]