Sydney’s oldest brothel, Tiffany’s Girls, for sale amid decline in sex establishments

Sydney’s oldest brothel, a series of opulently furnished rooms tucked behind the nondescript facade of a compact terraced house, is for sale, but its future is uncertain.

Tiffany’s Girls on Albion St in the inner-city suburb of Surry Hills has welcomed thousands of fun-seekers since opening in the early 1970s.

The company bills itself as ‘Sydney’s best brothel’ and claims on its website that it ‘sets the standard for excellence in adult services’.

‘Whether you are a first-time explorer or a seasoned visitor to the city, our unique brothel will provide you with an unforgettable experience.

‘Our brothel has always assembled an exceptional selection of escorts, all chosen for their grace, charm and intimate expertise.’

Inside are 14 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms. Photos of the interior show heavy red velvet curtains, golden statues of ancient goddesses, throne chairs, large Jacuzzis and mirrors on the ceiling.

But the future of Tiffany’s Girls, and several other long-running Sydney establishments, is unclear.

The rise of OnlyFans and other online streaming services means sex workers no longer always feel the need to work in brothels, Albion St establishment owner Parry Bitsikas told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Tiffany’s Girls on Albion St in the inner-city suburb of Surry Hills has welcomed thousands of pleasure seekers since it opened in the early 1970s

“During Covid, brothels have gone through a huge transformation,” said Bitsikas, who is not involved in the day-to-day running of the brothel.

“Now the girls want to do their own thing on OnlyFans, run their own businesses in their own apartments… but a brothel offers one thing a phone can’t: safety in a safe environment.”

This could make the site of five rows of homes and an adjacent corner building, all 10 minutes from the city, worth more than $13 million in an area rapidly being transformed by high-rise apartment development.

Inside there are 14 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms, with photos of the interior showing heavy red velvet curtains, golden statues of ancient goddesses, throne chairs, large Jacuzzis and mirrors on the ceiling

The five-terrace site and an adjacent corner building, all 10 minutes from the city, could be worth more than $13 million in an area rapidly being transformed by high-rise apartment development.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen to this site, to be honest. It’s a real island in Surry Hills, it wouldn’t be much trouble to rezone it for high-rise apartments,” Bitsikas said.

Property records show the location last sold for $1,124,750 in September 2006.

Bitsikas told the Herald that while the industry had changed significantly, there was still money to be made in brothels.

“It was the first company in the world, and it will be the last.”