The Kings Hall Leisure Centre in Clapton, East London, is set to undergo a significant transformation as part of a multi-million pound redevelopment project. Housed within a Grade II listed Victorian bath house, the facility will be closed for three years while the ambitious revamp is carried out.
The decision to proceed with the works was approved by Hackney Council during a sub-committee meeting held on Wednesday night (April 2).
The regeneration plans, designed by FaulknerBrowns Architects, aim to blend the historic charm of the 1890s building with modern amenities to create a state-of-the-art leisure destination.
The proposals include the refurbishment of the swimming pool, installation of a new sauna and steam room, and the construction of a two-court sports hall and a fully equipped fitness suite. A newly designed accessible entrance from Clapton Square and upgraded changing facilities also form part of the scheme.
Despite the clear intent to modernise and preserve the heritage site, the project has sparked opposition from some members of the local community. The council received 26 objections, with residents citing concerns about potential overdevelopment, construction noise, and the impact on surrounding green spaces.
In addition to the disruption caused by building works, the leisure centre will be forced to temporarily close from late 2025 until its scheduled reopening in late 2028. During this period, current members will be given the opportunity to transfer their memberships to other Better Leisure Centres across Hackney.
The council is also assessing the feasibility of setting up a temporary alternative facility elsewhere in the east of the borough to help bridge the gap in services.
The building, which has suffered considerable deterioration over recent years, is now facing rising maintenance costs and failing infrastructure. Hackney Council emphasised that the refurbishment is not only essential for preserving the centre’s historic features but also for delivering much-needed modern leisure services to the community.
A spokesperson for the council stated that the project will “safeguard” the architectural legacy of the building while extending and partially demolishing non-historic sections to make way for new developments.
All significant period features will be carefully preserved, and any hidden historical elements uncovered during construction will be retained as part of the final design.
Caroline Woodley, Mayor of Hackney, expressed her support for the restoration, underlining its significance for the borough: “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.”
Once completed, the Kings Hall Leisure Centre is expected to become a vital fitness and wellbeing hub for residents of East Hackney, combining modern facilities with the enduring legacy of its Victorian origins.
