Victoria Baths: Hathersage Road

Manchester's Victoria Baths were built 1903-06 by Henry Price then the City Architect, based on designs of 1901-2 by the City Surveyor T. de Courcy Meade and his assistant Arthur Davies. Price though was certainly responsible for the detailed plans, and possibly personally for some of the terracotta detail. Opened by Manchester Corporation on 7 September 1906, they were closed in 1993. Originally a prestigious complex, containing private baths and a laundry, Turkish Baths and, from 1952, the first public Aerotone (jacuzzi) in the UK, the Victoria Baths are listed grade II*, and many of its original features remain. In September 2003, Victoria Baths won the BBC2's Restoration competition, but progress on renovation has been slow.

BATHS, CHORLTON-ON-MEDLOCK - The new Victoria Baths are situated in High-street, Chorlton-on-Medlock, on ground which was formerly occupied by the Victoria Park Tennis Club The building is in the Renaissance style, and was planned by the City architect (Mr. Henry Price). The elevations are in Ruabon brick and Bath terra-cotta. There are three swimming baths, two for men and one for women. Ike first-class bath for men has been designed to meet the requirements of swimming galas. The water area is 76 ft. by 40 ft., and the depth is from 3 ft. to 6 ft. There is a gallery at one end of the bath fitted with seats for 350 people. The woodwork of the dressing boxes is dispensed with as far as possible, the divisions being constructed of bricks 2 in. thick and glazed on both sides, and there are cast-iron columns in front. The handrails and spittoons along the sides of the baths are made of bronze. First-class wash baths are ranged on the ground floor, and second-class wash baths on the balconies around the second-class swimming bath. Wash baths for women are on the balconies around the swimming bath set apart for females. Each swimming bath has walls of concrete lined with asphalt and enamelled glazed brick facing. The floors and gangways are finished in terrazzo. A set of Turkish and Russian baths is also provided. A feature of the baths is the accommodation provided for the storage of bicycles. [Builder 9 September 1905 page 282]

Reference    British Architect 14 September 1906 Page 195 - opening
Reference    Building News – check
Reference    Builder 9 September 1905 page 282
Reference    Manchester City News 10 April 1901 Page 5 Column 1