Three Public Baths, Newcastle-on-Tyne

Won in separate competition

NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE - A. W. S. Cross, V.P. R. I. B.A., is the author of the designs placed first for the Public Baths at Benwell, Walker, and Heaton, for the council at Newcastle-on-Tyne. The plans sent in by Messrs. Wallis and Bowden, of Westminster, were placed second, Messrs. Wright and Chapman, of Newcastle- on-Tyne, won the third premium. Mr. H. W. Wills, FRIBA, was the assessor. [Building News 1 August 1913 page 148

NEWCASTLE - The City Council have received the report of Mr. H. W. Wills, FRIBA, the assessor in the competition for the proposed baths for Benwell, Heaton, and Walker. The premiated competitors are - 1, Mr. Alfred W. S. Cross, London; 2. Messrs. Thomas Wallis & J. A. Bowden. London; 3, Wright & Chapman, Newcastle. The assessor has reported in favour of Wharrior Street for the Walker baths; for the Heaton baths the Committee to acquire from Lord Armstrong a site containing 125 square yards, between Biddlestone Road and Rokeby Terrace at 10s. per yard. The Committee ask for permission to borrow £27,000. {The Architect and Contract Reporter 5 December 1913 page 520]

1913                       Public Baths, Wharrier Street, Walker, Newcastle-on-Tyne

1913                       Public Baths, Benwell, Newcastle-on-Tyne

1913                      Heaton Pool, (aka Chilli Road Baths), Biddlestone Road, Heaton, Newcastle-on-Tyne

Opened April 1925 at a cost of £42,000. The communal swimming pool measured 75 feet by 35 feet and contained 65,000 gallons of water. Changing cubicles around the edge of the pool were removed in the 1960s. Originally there were ‘slipper baths’ for individual bathing. Built on 125 square yards of land purchased from Lord Armstrong at 10s per yard. Closed 2000 Demolished