Redevelopment work on the site, which has been closed since 1997 due to safety fears, began in August 2008. The £25m revamp is being carried out by Marshall Street Regeneration company.

SG Interior Exterior is acting as the construction manager for the project and it will continue to oversee and carry out the build and restoration of the listed features for the regeneration of the site.

The new facility was designed by Finch Forman in collaboration with Fulcrum Consulting and design firms PSL Structural Projects and Lucking & Clarke LLP.

When it reopens, the facility will include a fully restored main pool, a new fitness club and health suite with sauna and multi-purpose dance and exercise studios.

WCC has already signed a management agreement with Nuffield Health, which will manage the new facilities on behalf of the council once the work has been completed.

As part of the development 52 new homes will also be built, 15 of which will be part of an affordable housing scheme. The housing aspect of the design has been designed by Munkenbeck & Ptns architects.

Councillor Ed Argar, WCC's cabinet member for adult and community services, said: "The redevelopment of this iconic site is not only of historical significance but also of importance to the thousands of residents, businesses and visitors that it will benefit, right in the heart of the West End.

The first public baths were built on the site by the Vestry of St James in 1850 and the present building, then known as The Westminster Public Baths, was started in 1928 and completed in 1931. It was built with public funds for the health and well being of local people.

The Marshall Street leisure centre will operated as a public facility with fees, charges and resident discounts.