Developing Ladywell Playtower

In 2018, we considered proposals from four developers to restore Ladywell Playtower, a Grade II listed building.

After consulting local residents, we chose Guildmore as our preferred partner. Guildmore has made good progress with their investigation of the building, and have commissioned a number of intrusive surveys to fully understand the work necessary to restore the building and its listed historic fabric.

Guildmore has built a strong design team, including award-winning architects, which are continually detailing and refining their proposal in collaboration with us. The building is in a state of wide disrepair and requires significant investment to bring it back into sustainable local use.

A pre-planning consultation is planned to take place in the coming months to set out Guildmore’s detailed proposals. Work is currently anticipated to start in late 2019, subject to securing all necessary consents.

Find out more

Email playtower@lewisham.gov.uk with any questions.

History of Ladywell Playtower

The Playtower was built in 1884 and became one of the first public swimming pools in the country.

It attracted thousands of local people, including athlete Eric Liddell, who won gold in the 400m at the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris and was later immortalised in the film Chariots of Fire.

In 2004 Ladywell Playtower closed. Following a serious fire in 2006, the building fell into disrepair.