Artist David Bromley buys Old Castlemaine Gaol
Not too many people want to live in an old jail, but for artist David Bromley and his wife Yuge, they couldn’t think of anything better.
In fact, they were so enamoured with the look and feel of the Old Castlemaine Gaol in Victoria, that they bought it.
“When we first stepped foot on the grounds of the jail and turned back towards the sublime view of Castlemaine we felt a great sense that it had the strength of presence to house something very iconic and not seen before in the Central Highlands of Victoria,” Yuge Bromley said. “Just what, we had not worked out yet.
Yuge and David Bromley are planning to turn the old jail into an arts precinct. Photo: Peter Lalor
“We hope people will experience a reinterpretation of the jail’s architecture.
“While it was designed to make the original inhabitants feel insignificant, we want visitors to feel uplifted through the art.”
It is believed that the Bromleys paid about $1.5 million for the 1.6-hectare property. The property was previously sold in October 2012 for $550,000, according to Domain Group records.
“How many jails are for sale?” Kim McQueen, Colliers International head of prestige residential, said. “Upon first inspection they loved it.
“The Bromleys have terrific foresight and their addition to the Castlemaine landscape will be a huge benefit to not only the burgeoning Castlemaine arts scene but to the Central Highlands region of Victoria more broadly.
“David and Yuge have great plans for the old jail turning it into an arts precinct with events such as sculpting and ceramics among many other activities taking place. It was a win-win for everybody.”
On October 1 this year, the Bromleys will take over the historic site from owners Gary McClure, Don Culvenor and Trevor Butcher and managers Calum and Gayle McClure, who have transformed it from an unoccupied site to a popular food and tourism destination.
The Old Castlemaine Gaol was built in 1861 and was active until 1990. The jail is heritage-listed and sits on top of a hill.
But owning a jail may not be for everyone.
There are believed to be up to 10 executions performed on the grounds between 1865 and 1876, with the hanged prisoners buried on the site. No one knows exactly where the burials took place.
Furthermore, in its heyday between 1861 and 1908, the jail housed all manners of criminals, including lunatics.
