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Former Brothel

Other Name Freeman's Foundry Location 17 Murray Esplanade, ECHUCA VIC 3564 - Property No B3193 File Number B3193 Level Regional

[1/1] B3193 Former Brothel

Statement of Significance

The building at the rear of 17 Murray Esplanade was originally built in 1878, probably as part of a boarding house providing accommodation for single men behind shops and hotels facing Little Hopwood Street and Murray Esplanade. Between 1887 and 1897 it operated as a brothel, which was almost certainly conducted by the licensee of the nearby Murray Hotel on Murray Esplanade.
Thisis a two-storey brick building with a weatherboard front facade, a corrugated iron skillion roof and a verandah and balcony along the front. It has six small rooms, each with a fireplace, three on each of the ground and first floors, separated by 9" thick brick walls internally, and all opening only off the verandahs. The building is unusual in that only two of the rooms have windows. The former brothel is historically significant as a rare known survivor of the many brothels which operated during the nineteenth century in most towns in Victoria, but which have seldom been recorded. It is significant as an example of the sort of accommodation once commonly provided for single working men and as anintrinsic part of the historical wharf complex at Echuca.
Classified: 26/06/2006