A historic Victorian bathhouse in Hackney is getting a new lease of life – with a brand-new sauna and pool

London’s saunaverse just keeps on growing. On top of the new community saunas in Camberwell and Walthamstow, and the reopening of the Porchester Spa and York Hall, another new sauna has just been announced for London. 

This sweaty box will be inside the newly renovated Kings Hall, once known as Hackney Public Baths, which plans to reopen to the public after a major restoration in 2028. Once a Victorian bathhouse, the leisure centre in Clapton has fallen into disrepair over recent years. Now the 1890s bath house is going to be brought back to its former glory, with a new swimming pool, fitness suite, sports halls and sauna and steam room.

The Grade II-listed building will be renovated but keep many of its Victorian accents. The plans were developed by FaulknerBrowns, who designed Hackney Council’s award-winning Britannia Leisure Centre, and incorporates input from more than 250 local residents and leisure centre users.

Caroline Woodley, Mayor of Hackney, said: ‘Over generations, thousands of people have learnt to swim or use the gym at Kings Hall, and it has been difficult to see such a beautiful building deteriorate as it has aged.

‘Despite challenging financial times, it is right that we’re investing to bring the leisure centre back to its full glory – protecting a historic building for future generations, but more importantly providing modern leisure facilities that our communities deserve in a part of Hackney that is currently underserved.’

Work is expected to being in late 2025, with the leisure centre opening for public use in 2028. 

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