Whitevale Street Public Baths and Washhouse, 75-89, Whitevale Street, Gallowgate

Presumably by City Architect's office under A B MacDonald. Opened 1902. Big symmetrical front with arched wide openings at 1st floor, pilasters to bays, 2-storey wings, 3-storey centre with 2 doors, gabled centre, shallow advanced ends; red brick; most glazing original; parapetted wall-heads; modern tile roofs. Ranges to rear, top-lit swimming baths. Range to Millerston Street tall and gabled with brick chimney stalk. (Historic Scotland)

Whitevale Public Baths and Wash-house was opened on 17 May 1902 at 81 Whitevale Street by Lord Provost Samuel Chisholm. Unusually the facility included a reading room which was a branch of the city's Libraries Department. It was provided from funds left for the purpose in the will of John Rankine.

Whitevale also differed from other baths in the city in that it contained a Turkish bath and a gymnasium. There were sixty-six washing stalls in the wash-house, which could be hired for tuppence (less than 1p) per hour. There was seating for 520 people and standing room for 250 more in a gallery around the men's pool. Ingeniously, the swimming pool could be drained and lined with seating to convert the space into a rudimentary concert hall, increasing the capacity of the men's pool as a temporary public hall to 1,500 people. (Glasgow City Libraries Information and Learning)

October 2002: Local planners report that the building is partly occupied, though the entire building is available for sale or lease. It is in poor condition. April 2004: External inspection reveals the building to remain vacant and boarded up. There are obvious signs of vandalism and attempted entry. There is some vegetation growth and graffiti. Dangerous building notices and fencing have been erected. December 2004: Local planners report that a marketing brief has been prepared and the property will be marketed in the spring. December 2007: External inspection reveals that the exterior of the property remains in poor condition. The slate roof has been replaced in metal. The north elevation is ivy covered and there is foliage growth on flat surfaces and in the gutters, particuarly on the east elevation.

November 2010: External inspection finds the building remains derelict. Since our previous visit the building has deteriorated, especially the east block. Many windows in this section have lost their boarding and are open to the elements. The roof of the south block is in urgent need of attention. Across the building, plants have gained more footholds on flat surfaces and the north corners.

March 2012: A member of the public advises that Only demolition contractors have taken down the rear part of the building within the last month. Local planners advise the Council has undertaken an emergency demolition of the mens pool and are working with interested parties to secure a future for the building.

25 October 2013: Local planners advise a local consultation event was held by GHA, Glasgow Building Preservation Trust and the Council to gather local aspirations for the site. A feasibility study and fabric condition survey are to be completed.

29 May 2014: External inspection finds the main building remains secure. The rear building has significant foliage growth and water penetration. The mens pool building is majority demolished on the Gallowgate side of the building.

6 June 2014: Local planners advise the site is not currently being marketed for sale or lease.

3 June 2015: Listed Building Consent for the partial demolition, with a retained facade, of the property is being sought ref: 15/01065/DC.

21 January 2020: Local planners advise Listed Building Consent is being sought for a lighting and art project aiming to improve the external appearance of the building in the short term (ref: 19/03812/LBA). The surrounding area has been redeveloped as housing.

9 February 2023: External inspection finds that works have been carried out to improve the condition and appearance of the building, although it remains vacant. The roof and rainwater goods appear to be in good condition. There is some light vegetation growth on the masonry, but it appears that the majority of growth has been removed since the previous site visit. Art has been installed along the front elevation. The surrounding area has been developed for residential use. Condition moved to FAIR and risk moved to MODERATE to reflect the maintenance works carried out.