Richmond Baths
3 Gleadell Street, RICHMOND VIC 3121 - Property No 193615
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Statement of Significance
The following wording is from the Allom and Lovell Building Citation, 1998 for the property. Please note that this is a "Building Citation", not a "Statement of Significance". For further information refer to the Building Citation held by the City of Yarra.
History:
The first Richmond pool, an outdoor pool, was built in 1897, as a measure to lower the number of drownings which occurred in the Yarra. The pool was segregated: boys could swim every day except Friday, which was reserved for the women. The baths were built as a part of the Jubilee, celebrating Queen Victoria's 60 year reign and were among the largest in the state, measuring 150 feet (45 metres) by 80 feet (24 metres). The baths cost ₤2,000 to build.
During the Depression many people bathed at the pool, two to three hundred children every week, and the water was 'infested with algae and ... changed only once a week'. The council decided in 1933 to upgrade the facilities and change the water every day. However, in house fighting diverted the Council and the upgrade was not a reality until the present pool was built in the shell of the old in 1936, when it was converted to an indoor pool.
Description:
The Richmond Baths building is a large, shed-like structure, with an unusually-profiled corrugated iron roof, the steel framing of which is visible internally. The Classical Revival style entrance facade, to Gleadell Street, comprises two similar single-storey red brick pavilion-like sections, linked by a central entrance. The original building (1936) comprises the eastern pavilion and the entrance, the former of which has face red brick walls and three tall windows with rendered dressings. A rendered parapet with a Greek wave motif and the words RICHMOND CITY BATHS. The entrance door is set within a rendered door-case beneath a similar, heavy parapet. To the north, the 1980s addition is designed in a similar style. It is also of face red brick, but with four windows, and window dressings and parapet and frieze of cream brick.
Significance:
The Richmond Baths is of local historical, social and architectural significance. The site has been occupied by a swimming pool since 1897, and, with the adjoining Richmond City Reserve has always been a social and recreational focus for the suburb. Architecturally, the building is notable for its unusual corrugated iron-clad roof. The facade is a restrained inter-War Classical Revival composition, which has been sympathetically re-interpreted in the additions at the north end.
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Richmond Baths - Physical Description 1
The Richmond Baths building is a large, shed-like structure, with an unusually-profiled corrugated iron roof, the steel framing of which is visible internally. The Classical Revival style entrance facade, to Gleadell Street, comprises two similar single-storey red brick pavilion-like sections, linked by a central entrance. The original building (1936) comprises the eastern pavilion and the entrance, the former of which has face red brick walls and three tall windows with rendered dressings. A rendered parapet with a Greek wave motif and the words RICHMOND CITY BATHS. The entrance door is set within a rendered door-case beneath a similar, heavy parapet. To the north, the 1980s addition is designed in a similar style. It is also of face red brick, but with four windows, and window dressings and parapet and frieze of cream brick.
Richmond Baths - Integrity
Good
Heritage Study and Grading
Yarra - Richmond Conservation Study
Author: John & Thurley O'Connor, Ros Coleman & Heather Wright
Year: 1985
Grading: CYarra - City of Yarra Heritage Review
Author: Allom Lovell & Associates
Year: 1998
Grading: LocalYarra - City of Yarra Review of Heritage Overlay Areas
Author: Graeme Butler & Associates
Year: 2007
Grading: Local
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1984 - Building Identification Form - Richmond Conservation Study
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1984 - Building Identification Form - Richmond Conservation Study
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1984 - Building Identification Form - Richmond Conservation Study
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1984 - Building Identification Form - Richmond Conservation Study
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1984 - Building Identification Form - Richmond Conservation Study
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1998 - Building Citation - City of Yarra Heritage Review, Allom Lovell and Associates
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1984 - Building Identification Form - Richmond Conservation Study
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FORMER GROSVENOR COMMON SCHOOLVictorian Heritage Register H0654
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RESIDENCEVictorian Heritage Register H0710
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FORMER LALOR HOUSEVictorian Heritage Register H0211
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"1890"Yarra City
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"AMF Officers" ShedMoorabool Shire
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"AQUA PROFONDA" SIGN, FITZROY POOLVictorian Heritage Register H1687
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13 Flinders Street, QueenscliffQueenscliffe Borough
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162 Nicholson StreetYarra City
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164 Nicholson StreetYarra City
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