Amsterdam MEGA brothel takes huge leap towards becoming reality: 5-floor red light romp-factory to house 100 sex workers
It comes as part of Dutch attempts to clear their capital's reputation and improve its image as a historical city
TOWER OF SIN Amsterdam MEGA brothel takes huge leap towards becoming reality: 5-floor red light romp-factory to house 100 sex workers
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AMSTERDAM may soon have a mega Dutch brothel that will span over five floors and house hundreds of sex workers.
Incredible plans have been revealed for Erotisch Centrum - a multi-million dollar building with multiple bars and erotic entertainment venues - including a strip club.
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Sex workers are seen behind windows at the red light district in Amsterdam
Credit: Corbis - Getty
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The Moulin Rouge Bar and sex shop in Amsterdam's red light district
Credit: Alamy
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A concept photo shows the five-story mega-brothel that is being planned to replace the city's red light district
Credit: Moke Architechten
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Amsterdam City Council has long been planning to build a massive brothel to relocate prostitutes away from the city's current red light district.
And from this week, residents will be able to respond to the plans that are being backed by the city's mayor herself.
According to Femke Halsema, the space will ensure safer working conditions, reduce criminality and tackle human trafficking.
Concept designs revealed in 2020 showed two towers in red and black with spiral ramps.
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It comes as part of Dutch attempts to clear their capital's reputation and improve its image as a historical city.
The city eventually plans to shut down the centuries-old red light district, which is popular for its neon-lit windows where sex workers stand and try to attract customers.
But many residents - and prostitutes - have already voiced their concerns about the plans.
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In December 2023, Mayor Halsema proposed that the building should be built in Zuid - an affluential district in the south of the city.
The plans for a building solely dedicated to sex work were supposed to provide safe working conditions.
But it has attracted a wealth of criticism claiming that it does the exact opposite.
Some sex workers have decried being pushed out of the historic centre of prostitution, De Wallen, saying that other areas are prone to stigma and they could be at risk when travelling to and from work.
During a public discussion on the planning, former sex worker Mariska Majoor, said: "A prostitution window on the street is very different from one in a closed erotic centre.
"The location is dark at night. There will be more stigma and more danger.
"I'm worried they will be waited for on the paths by people with nefarious plans."
While another sex worker added: "Sex workers have moved from doorways to windows…and now into a segregated centre pushed to the edge of town, out of sight, out of mind.
"Keep your laws off our bodies and no erotic prisons."
Over 40 people spoke out against the plans during the public discussion - with some even going as far as to compare the brothel to a 16th century "spinning house" that marked "fallen women".
The European Medicines Agency, who moved to the Zuid district in 2019, have said that they are "extremely concerned" by the plans.
A spokesman for the agency said: 'EMA is very concerned that this will create safety, security and nuisance issues.
'The change of the location of the red light district is motivated by concerns of nuisance, drug-dealing, drunkenness and disorderly behaviour.
'Locating the Erotic Centre in close proximity to EMA's building is likely to bring the same negative impacts to the adjacent area.
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A sex worker standing infront of a mirror in the red light area
Credit: Getty - Contributor
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Amsterdam's red-light district at night
Credit: Getty
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The plans for a building solely dedicated to sex work was supposed to provide safe working conditions
Credit: Getty
'(We will be taking this to the) highest appropriate political and diplomatic level to ensure a safe working environment.
'EMA's work is essential for the protection of public health in the EU, and this should not be jeopardised by fears of staff and EU experts coming to EMA's building.'
So far, only seven people have spoken out in favour of the plans - among them, a male sex worker called Richard Jones.
Jones believes that the mega brothel could create more space for sex workers from minority groups.
He said that these sex workers are currently working in homes, either their own or their clients, and that this poses a big safety risk.
Jones went on to argue that if they had access to a large space, tailor-made for sex work, these minorities would be much safer.
He also added: 'People who say they don't want it in their neighbourhood don't realise it is already happening…with their husbands, their friends, with them themselves.
"At the moment, your houses are our workplaces.'
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