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That's Built · Building report

CITY BATHS

420-438 Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Generated 8 November 2026
Commercial · Entertainment/Recreation - Indoor
—height
3floors
1903completed
3businesses
9permits

Development milestones

Completed1903CITY BATHS completed: 3 floors

Building team

Architect
John James Clark
Builder
Swanson Brothers
Architect
Gunn Williams & Fender
Owner
City of Melbourne

Planning & subdivision

Zone
MUZ
Overlays
DDO1, DDO70, HO493, PO12
Strata plan
PP5514C · 1 lots
Scores
🚆 10 · ☕ 9 · 🌳 8 · ✨ 6

Timeline

20251 building permit · about $2k of new works
Largest: Installation of Alarm Signalling Equipment
20241 building permit · about $270k of new works
Largest: Minor internal upgrades to existing building (Melbourne City Baths) – existing internal staircase upgrade and ambulant toilets to existing b
20221 building permit · about $81k of new works
Largest: Installation of lighweight shower partitions
Apr 2021City Baths gets $2.5 million restoration with works due by September 2021
Two April 2021 articles, from Build Australia and Concrete Playground, reported a $2.5 million restoration of the City Baths, including tuck-pointing of brickwork, replacement of cupola roof tiling, repairs to timber pool-hall ceilings and new skylights. Both said works were due for completion in September 2021, and neither article named the architect or owner.
20211 building permit · about $2.3m of new works
Largest: Stage 1 - Alterations to an existing building. Internal repair works and new roof light.
20201 building permit and 1 certificate · about $257k of new works
Largest: Level 1 - Alterations to existing building - Spa & switch room door
20191 building permit and 1 certificate · about $1.2m of new works
Largest: Alterations to Melbourne City Baths - Level 1 and roof deck. Reception desk, staff kitchen and roof deck.
20171 building permit · about $28k of new works
Largest: Pool & Gym
20141 building permit · about $342k of new works
Largest: Handrail, tactile indicators and slip resistance upgrade
20101 certificate · about $479k of new works
Largest: Alterations to existing building. Melbourne City Bath - Members area upgrade Ground Floor.
2002First council census entry: entertainment/recreation - indoor, 3 floors
1903CITY BATHS completed: 3 floors
Derived from City of Melbourne

Building permits and certificates (11)

Each cost is the estimate on that record. Stages of a project often repeat its full value, so these don't add up to what was spent.

06 Oct 2025Installation of Alarm Signalling Equipment$2k
04 Apr 2024Minor internal upgrades to existing building (Melbourne City Baths) – existing internal staircase upgrade and ambulant toilets to existing banks of toilets.$270k
23 Dec 2022Installation of lighweight shower partitions$81k
21 Jan 2021Stage 1 - Alterations to an existing building. Internal repair works and new roof light.$2.3m
23 July 2020Level 1 - Alterations to existing building - Spa & switch room door$255k
01 Apr 2020New Construction of temporary DDA Ramp$2k
17 Dec 2019Alterations to Melbourne City Baths - Level 1 and roof deck. Reception desk, staff kitchen and roof deck.$824k
15 Aug 20192018/19 DDA Program - City Baths Refurbishment & External Stairs$333k
17 May 2017Pool & Gym$28k
30 July 2014Handrail, tactile indicators and slip resistance upgrade$342k
21 Jan 2010Alterations to existing building. Melbourne City Bath - Members area upgrade Ground Floor.$479k

Questions and answers

Is CITY BATHS residential or commercial?
CITY BATHS is a commercial building. The City of Melbourne lists its main use as entertainment/recreation - indoor.

When was CITY BATHS built?
CITY BATHS was completed in 1903.

How many floors does CITY BATHS have?
CITY BATHS has 3 floors above ground.

What businesses are in CITY BATHS?
The latest council census counted 3 businesses in CITY BATHS, including City Baths Spinal & Sports Medicine Clinic, Melbourne City Baths and Poolhouse Coffee.

Is there office or retail space for lease in CITY BATHS?
See the commercial listings on this page, or search this address on realcommercial.com.au and commercialrealestate.com.au.

Who designed and built CITY BATHS?
John James Clark designed CITY BATHS and Swanson Brothers built it. The building team section has the sources.

What public transport is near CITY BATHS?
State Library Station is the nearest train station, about 2 minutes' walk. The nearest tram stop is RMIT University/Swanston St #7, about 1 minute's walk.

What is the planning zone for CITY BATHS?
The site is in the Mixed Use Zone (MUZ). It's also under a Heritage Overlay (HO493).

Does CITY BATHS have an owners corporation?
Plan of subdivision PP5514C has 1 lot.

Has any work been done on CITY BATHS recently?
The City of Melbourne has issued 9 building permits for CITY BATHS since 2014. The most recent was in October 2025.

Sources: City of Melbourne building permits (CC BY 4.0); CLUE building information (CC BY 4.0); CLUE business establishments (CC BY 4.0); Geocoded National Address File (G-NAF) (Open G-NAF EULA (CC BY 4.0 based)). General information from public records, not legal, financial or building advice.

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