The building was originally designed by John Burnet. This part of the building containing the swimming pool, the Senior and Junior baths and the Senior and Junior changing rooms which now form the northern part of the building.

As originally designed by Burnet, the building was single storey and conceivedas a kind of theme and variation on the idea of subdivision by twos and threes. Thus the main facade onto Arlington Street was modulated by means of two pavilions, located at either end of the building with the centre marked by arched windows arranged in groups of threes. The effect is that of a restrained and modest Classicism, more rural than urban in its nature, well proportioned and pleasing in an unpretentious way.

The plenum system was used to heat the building. Heated air is passed through the building by convection via ducts built into the fabric, owes its origins to the Roman hypocaust and ideal for use in the saturated atmospheres of swimming pools because it encouraged ventilation.

 

The Turkish Room plus ancillary accommodation was added in 1875. It consists of a large square room, heated to high temperatures by plenum with tiled walls and floor and a beehive shaped roof studded with small star shaped windows glazed with coloured glass, sufficient only to light the space dimly. The original fountain in the centre is sadly no longer there. In an atmosphere of sepulchral calm the bathers recline on benches along the walls sweltering in super heated seclusion. No talking is allowed within the space.

 

 

This added a second storey to Myles' extension. The entrance was moved from the centre of Burnet's building as an entrance hall leading to a grand staircase, which in turn led to a new reading room and billiard room, plus other administrative spaces, on the first floor.

 

The internal triple arch that echoed the external arches, in Entrance Hall,  was unfortunately later hidden in the renovations made in 1960’s and 1970’s. This hides one the building finest features that club hope to reinstate.

 

 
In 1902 a further extension by Benjamin Conner was built. It rebalanced the front of the building by the addition of a storey to the street frontage of Burnet's original building. This did not extend the pool hall itself, but simply the bank of rooms which lay between the pool hall and the street. It included a new larger billiard hall and long gallery - now used as a gym - lit by a regular rhythm of single windows. Again exposed timber roof trusses and partial roof glazing are used to good effect in these spaces which are generally practical, well proportioned and enjoyed.