J
jb28
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The Leeds International Pool has been a landmark for over 40 years since it was completed in 1967.
The "brutalist" styling has made it one of those building you either love or hate.
The architect, John Poulson, was also responsible for the far less outlandish City House office block near the train station. He was jailed in a corruption scandal.
The pool closed to the public on the 21st of October 2007 and apart briefly re-opening to stage an art exhibition, it has stood empty and decaying since.
Sorry for there being so many pictures, it's an epic explore.
The full flickr set is here: Leeds International Pool
Links go to the large photo size.
This is the view of the pool from the bridge over the inner ring road. You can immediately see why it's a local landmark.
The main entrance is secured with metal grilles, as is most of the ground floor. Entry to the building is only with permission of Leeds City Council, or by teleportation or some such other magic.
Reception. Many folks will remember buying their swimming tickets here, but it's a very different place now.
As you head further into the building it becomes apparent just how dark it is. This is the view past reception towards the small pool.
The childrens pool area isn't quite as bad as the rest of the centre.
The corridor towards the changing rooms is almost impassable.
No privacy here in the changing rooms, in the toilet area. It was also very dark and this was lit only by a large torch.
The diving board was one of the most striking features of the pool area. I don't like heights, so I declined to investigate further!
Some more of the seating is visible at the far end, along with our first view of the empty pool.
Mindless destruction besets the pool area.
A broader view of the accumulator and the pool area from the top of the seating.
The non pool areas are wrecked, but the lack of graffiti in the upper floors suggests to me that the damage may be due to asbestos removal rather than vandalism.
Time for a quick brew before heading down to the basement.
The plant room was extensive, and flooded in places too. There appears to be a sump to collect excess water from leaks and overflows, but the electric pump that empties it isn't operational and the basement is slowly flooding.
At the end of the basement, flooded rooms provide a hazard to the unwary as drainage grids are missing and the place is in complete darkness. This was lit over a long period using a big torch.
Much of the equipment in the basement seemed to be controlled from a single panel.
Time to go. And now, a bonus poolside panorama...
(Click to embiggen, it turned out pretty well IMO)
The "brutalist" styling has made it one of those building you either love or hate.
The architect, John Poulson, was also responsible for the far less outlandish City House office block near the train station. He was jailed in a corruption scandal.
The pool closed to the public on the 21st of October 2007 and apart briefly re-opening to stage an art exhibition, it has stood empty and decaying since.
Sorry for there being so many pictures, it's an epic explore.
The full flickr set is here: Leeds International Pool
Links go to the large photo size.
This is the view of the pool from the bridge over the inner ring road. You can immediately see why it's a local landmark.
The main entrance is secured with metal grilles, as is most of the ground floor. Entry to the building is only with permission of Leeds City Council, or by teleportation or some such other magic.
Reception. Many folks will remember buying their swimming tickets here, but it's a very different place now.
As you head further into the building it becomes apparent just how dark it is. This is the view past reception towards the small pool.
The childrens pool area isn't quite as bad as the rest of the centre.
The corridor towards the changing rooms is almost impassable.
No privacy here in the changing rooms, in the toilet area. It was also very dark and this was lit only by a large torch.
The diving board was one of the most striking features of the pool area. I don't like heights, so I declined to investigate further!
Some more of the seating is visible at the far end, along with our first view of the empty pool.
Mindless destruction besets the pool area.
A broader view of the accumulator and the pool area from the top of the seating.
The non pool areas are wrecked, but the lack of graffiti in the upper floors suggests to me that the damage may be due to asbestos removal rather than vandalism.
Time for a quick brew before heading down to the basement.
The plant room was extensive, and flooded in places too. There appears to be a sump to collect excess water from leaks and overflows, but the electric pump that empties it isn't operational and the basement is slowly flooding.
At the end of the basement, flooded rooms provide a hazard to the unwary as drainage grids are missing and the place is in complete darkness. This was lit over a long period using a big torch.
Much of the equipment in the basement seemed to be controlled from a single panel.
Time to go. And now, a bonus poolside panorama...
(Click to embiggen, it turned out pretty well IMO)
