Restoration

This section needs to be updated. (February 2024)

In September 2003, the baths won the first series of the BBC's Restoration programme. The building was chosen by a public phone-vote from a shortlist of 10 buildings in danger of dereliction in the UK. It was awarded £3.4 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the money raised through the phone-voting process.^[6] The Prince of Wales visited the baths a month later to help celebrate the win.^[7]

It was intended that the money would be spent on re-opening the Turkish baths by around 2006, with other parts following later at a cost of around £15–20 million.^[8] However, the redevelopment plans were dealt a blow one year later when quantity surveyors delivered a much larger estimate of £6.3 million to restore the Turkish baths. The Heritage Lottery Fund requested further details about the full redevelopment before they would hand over any money for the first phase.^[9] Final planning approval to begin a restoration process was not received until September 2005.^{[citation needed]}

In September 2006, as part of a number of events to mark the centenary of the building's opening, the gala pool was filled for the first time in 13 years.^[10][11]

The first phase of restoration work consisting of structural work and repairs began on 19 March 2007,^[12] and was completed in September 2008.^[13] In 2011 the baths were used as a filming location,^[14] a concert venue,^[15] and an exhibition centre.^[16] On 16 April 2017, the baths were once again reopened for an invite only acid house dance pool party hosted by Boiler Room, The Warehouse Project, and Fac 51 The Warehouse. This was called "The Other Side of Midnight". The event was also live streamed on YouTube; the video is unlisted.