Newcomen Street Corporation Baths

[2] Newcastle's beaches were considered a dangerous place to swim, despite the belief that bathing in the sea was good for health that was common in the 1800's.

[9] Upstairs there were nine private hot and cold baths, with the option of fresh and salt water, which could be also infused with sulphur.

[11][2] The concrete swimming pool on the ground floor was filled with sea water, pumped from Newcastle Beach a kilometre away.

[8] Electric lighting and a steam heating system was later installed in the pool to attract people to swim in the winter.

[12][2] In the 1930s there were large glass etchings, depicting a person driving a car, an aeroplane, a kangaroo, a big fish, and long waves.

[2] The majority of bathers were men, and in 1894 women were temporarily denied access to the baths as a cost saving measure.

[2] After the closure, council was approached with many proposals for leasing the site including a skating rink, dance venue or a boxing saloon.

[2] In the years immediately after closure, the venue was used for a range of purposes including a dog show, swimming competitions, music hall, and print studio.

King's Picturescope Palace, later renamed The Elite, was a silent movie theatre which operated until 1917 when their licence was revoked.

[16] The site was extensively remodelled between 1937 and 1938, including opening the present arcade which created a link between Newcomen and Hunter Street.

[10] The restoration during World War II revealed huge art deco style glass panels, from an earlier renovation.