As one building falls, another one grows

Living in London it’s not uncommon to see building sights and old buildings being torn down to make room for newer and more modern flats.

Poplar Baths has been standing for decades and hasn’t seen any human attention for over ten years. However, after a long battle with development companies and the Poplar Housing and Regeneration Community Association, a campaign group led by Jim Fitzpatrick have succeeded in getting the building refurbished.

Jim Fitzpatrick, an MP for Poplar and Limehouse, started the campaign to save the old baths after he found out the building was listed and held a lot of strong memories for many locals.

The baths first opened in 1852 and was often floored over and used as a theater and sports hall for local residents.

“The building is beautifully built inside and out, and there is no reason it couldn’t be re-opened and used again,” Jim Fitzpatrick said.

“I’m glad me and the rest of the Poplar Baths steering group managed to save such a big part of London’s history.”

Not only was the building used as a swimming hall, some local schools also used the studio above as a recording studio for music students.

Dizzee Rascal, a famous Rapper recorded a lot of his work before he became famous in the studio with his music teacher at the time.

Lillie Prescott, 31, campaigner from the Swan housing group, said, “I remember going to Poplar Baths with my grandpa, he used to take me every other weekend, and now other families can make memories here too.”

The development has begun and is expected to be finished mid-2015, and will be part of the GLL Better Gym partnership.