Bombing in the Second World War destroyed four out of five of Coventry's swimming baths, leading to the council's decision in 1956 to build a large central complex to meet the city's needs.

The building was designed by Michael McLellan of the Coventry City Architect's Department under Arthur Ling and Terence Gregory, who were also responsible for the Belgrade Theatre.

[3][4] The complex was extended in 1976 with the completion of the Elephant, a dry sports centre straddling Cox Street to the east Central Baths.

[1] In August 2014 the council announced that they planned to close the Central Baths, which at the time contained the region's only Olympic-sized swimming pool.

[1] Designed in the style of the Modern Movement, the building was viewed as an architectural success at the time, the Architects' Journal of May 25, 1966, stating that "its best features are the main pool hall with its W-shaped roof and seven pitched lights over the three storey high glass wall overlooking the sunbathing terraces and gardens".