Dubbed by Design Files as “the most creative hotel hub in Melbourne”, Brooklyn Arts Hotel had a vast mix of people through its doors and sleeping in its beds.

Founded in 2006 by artist and filmmaker Maggie Fooke, her take was to paint each room a different colour, deck it out with some funky furniture and an eclectic collection of art and craft. Known as a bit of an artist institution, its reputation was credit to the collective creative energy from people coming through its doors and investing in its ideas. Brooklyn Arts Hotel was operating for 12 years.

Brooklyn as a building though has a wild and diverse history and has been accommodation in various forms since 1901. Prior to 2006 Damien and Trish ran Brooklyn a boarding house. And before them, it was a Czechoslovakian men’s home, way back before Fitzroy had its current trendy reputation. In March 2020, Brooklyn closed its doors as public accommodation and became a private residence.

We acknowledge the location Brooklyn occupies in Fitzroy is on the land of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. Fitzroy and Gertrude St have been integral to the Black Rights Movement in Australia. We are allies in the continuing fight.