This is the location of the Fitzroy community’s lovely outdoor pool, brilliant all year round. I haven’t done a lot of research on Fitzroy Baths (now Yarra Leisure) yet, but this is some information from a few sources.
In 1854, the land in this part of Fitzroy had been marked for subdivision into street blocks. At the time, all of the area inside the borders of Smith St, Argyle St, Brunswick St and Reilly St (Now Alexandra Pde) was a dotted set of potential roads. The cross roads were all commenced, with Napier, George and Gore coming off Victoria Pde and Cecil, Westgarth, Leicester and Rose extending from Nicholson St (most ending at Young St). At the time the area was known as Collingwood. (Plan of Melbourne 1854)
I have included the images below as they appear in the North Fitzroy Conservation Study, but I will replace when I can get a better copy of these, but they highlight in 1854-1888 the land was intended for use for housing. Given the block was clearly subdivided in 1876, I am not yet sure how it came to be given back to the city of Fitzroy to become the public baths.
The Baths were opened on 21 October 1908, they were built by the Fitzroy Council at a cost of 9,000 pounds.
