Work has started on the £68.7 million refurbishment of the historic Kings Hall Leisure Centre in Hackney, with a planned reopening in early 2029.

FaulknerBrowns Architects have drawn up the designs, which will preserve the features of the Grade II listed building, retaining important parts of the building’s heritage. New structures will be matched with the existing brickwork.  

The swimming pool will be refurbished and a new large pool and smaller teaching pool will be added. There will also be a new cycle store, a modern gym, a double height sports hall, a sauna, and steamroom and the entrance will be made more accessible.

More solar PV panels will be installed in addition to a new M&E system which is more energy and cost efficient than the property’s current HVAC system.

Without the changes, the Victorian site would likely have had to close. Its condition has worsened in recent years, which has affected the customer experience. GLL, which operates the centre under the Better brand, is looking at how it can support members during the closure and working with the council to explore whether temporary facilities could be offered elsewhere.

Caroline Woodley, mayor of Hackney, said: “These ambitious plans for Kings Hall Leisure Centre will give residents in Clapton and Homerton world class leisure facilities for generations to come, including a new teaching pool, sports hall, revamped and extended gym and studio facilities.

“Architects FaulknerBrowns and main contractor Morgan Sindall will preserve beautiful heritage features of the building as well as introduce state-of-the-art new amenities.”

Alan Baxter Civil and Structural Engineering, Atkins Réalis Cost Consultants, Hadron Consulting and Ares Landscape Architects are also working on the project.