Royal Arcade, Melbourne

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

View of Royal Arcade looking south toward Little Collins Street.
Enlarge
View of Royal Arcade looking south toward Little Collins Street.

Royal Arcade is a heritage shopping arcade in Melbourne, Victoria. Melbourne's Golden Mile heritage walk runs through the arcade.

It forms a short, narrow laneway, connecting Little Collins Street to Bourke Street Mall in the central business district of Melbourne. It is also connected to Elizabeth Street in the west, thus, forming a T-shaped arcade.

The arcade, which dates back to 1869, was restored between 2002-04 which resulted in additional natural light and consistency of the shopfronts.

It is a significant Victorian era arcade and is on the Victorian Heritage Register. Along with Melbourne's other arcade, the Block Arcade, and Melbourne's lanes, it is a tourist icon of the city. Royal Arcade is famous for its fashion stores as well as specialty stores such as tarot card reading store.

Originally designed by Charles Webb, the arcade features a high glass roof and windowed stores.

At the south end, the arcade features effigies of mythical figures Gog and Magog and a clock which chimes each hour.

[edit] Gallery

[edit] External Links