Bradmill Denim

Bradmill Denim was the first time I had ever (allegedly) entered and abandoned property to take photos, not long after I first bought my camera while we were living in Melbourne.

I used to pass Bradmill Denim on the freeway for work. I was always intrigued as to what was in there. After months of wondering, I decided to go and have a look for myself and see how close I could get. I packed my gear, found a hole in the fence and walked into the nearest open door. Everything else on this page came after that.

Bradmill came into operation in 1927, producing cotton fabrics and then in 1945, the facility expanded to produce denim products. At the time, it was Australia’s only denim producer in Australia.

In 2002, the company went into receivership and the struggling business was then purchased for $7 million. Soon after, the surrounding blocks of land were also purchased for $16 million.
In 2007, manufacturing ceased on the site production and was transferred overseas.

The majority of the buildings have been demolished of what remains of the site today has recently been sold to a developer for $160 Million. A $2 billion “mini-city” is now earmarked for the renamed ‘Yarraville Gardens’ site.