Templemore Baths, Belfast

Enhancing Community Spaces Through Thoughtful Regeneration

Consarc Conservation was appointed as Conservation Architect to lead the restoration and extension of the historic Templemore Baths, a Grade B+ listed Victorian washhouse on Templemore Avenue in East Belfast. Opened in 1893, the Baths served the local workforce during the industrial revolution and are recognised as the last remaining slipper baths in Ireland, also housing Northern Ireland’s only functioning Victorian swimming pool. The project is part of Belfast City Council’s wider investment programme to revitalise leisure facilities across the city. It involved careful restoration and repair of the original building fabric, preserving its historic character while upgrading to meet modern accessibility standards and building regulations.

A new leisure extension was constructed on the adjacent former Ulster Hospital site, providing a 25-metre swimming pool, sauna, gym, and changing facilities. Within the original structure, a contemporary visitor exhibition space was sensitively integrated to celebrate the Baths’ rich history and cultural significance. Throughout the phased construction programme, close collaboration between Consarc, the Integrated Design Team, and Belfast City Council ensured minimal disruption to services. This balanced approach allowed the Baths to remain a valued community resource while creating a landmark leisure destination that honours Belfast’s heritage and serves today’s users.

Awards:

CEF Excellence Awards: Restoration Project of the Year (Heron Bros) - 2023

RICS Award Heritage Project Winner - 2024