Toxic past: Drug residue found in rooms at notorious Gatwick Hotel

TOXIC drug residue was found by hazardous materials experts in almost half the rooms at The Block’s newest project — the notorious Gatwick Hotel.

TOXIC drug residue was found in almost half the rooms at The Block’s newest project, the Gatwick Hotel.

Hazardous materials experts were called in to clean up the site before contestants on the reality TV show turn the former flophouse into eight luxury apartments.

The Sunday Herald Sun understands that there were serious concerns about traces of ice found in the rooms at the former rooming house.

The Gatwick was often frequented by drugs users and has been the scene of murders and overdoses.

THE BLOCK 2018: CHANNEL 9 STARTS TRANSFORMATION OF GATWICK

The Gatwick Hotel. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

One of the bathrooms at The Gatwick Hotel. Picture: Kylie Else

Executive producer of The Block, Julian Cress, confirmed a hazardous material audit of the site was undertaken but he would not comment on the type of hazardous material found or if drug paraphernalia and residue from drugs such as ice was found.

“We bring in a range of experts who test for anything and clean out any hazardous materials before work commences,” Mr Cress said.

“We recommend everyone should do this before they renovate.

“The number one priority for us is that we have a completely safe worksite for our crew and contestants.

“We have a proud safety record on The Block and we intend to keep it that way.”

The overhaul of The Gatwick is the biggest — certainly the highest-profile — project undertaken in the history of The Block, with filming finally expected to start early next month.

Preparation of the site to make it safe and structurally sound for filming has already taken several months.

INSIDE THE LAST DAYS OF THE GATWICK, ST KILDA’S ‘HELL HOLE’

Inside the Gatwick.

One of the rooms at The Gatwick Hotel. Picture: Kylie Else

The renovation will include private apartments, a new top floor and “winter garden” style balconies.

Some internal heritage features such as panelling and balustrades will be kept and restored in the makeover.

The Gatwick’s troubled past led Melbourne’s “people’s priest”, Father Bob Maguire, to make a secret visit to the property last month to bless the building and the restless souls of residents who died during their time at the property.

“Their souls go marching on,” Father Bob said. “It does not matter if The Block builds the most beautiful apartments in the universe, the ancestors will be there, not to frighten anybody, but they will just be there.”

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