8A_L&A_FeaturedArcades

= Melbourne's Laneways and Arcades = **Project compiled by Charlie, Velyan and Fred ** //Dedicated to Beth Jackson//  ﻿| Home | History | Featured Lanes | Featured Arcades | Revitalization | Maps | Reflection & Bibliography |

Featured Arcades

Block Arcade :
For our project, we decided to go on the Block Arcade Tour, to get a better insight into the properties of an arcade and laneway, as this was a first experience on a mini-excursion. We arrived at the prestigious arcade where we were greeted enthusiastically by our wonderful tour guide (and one for over twenty years), 80-year old, Beth Jackson. She gave us an incredibly detailed description of the history of this great arcade, and also some interesting information on what was happening in the city of Melbourne during its time. The Block (which it is commonly referred to as), was designed by architect David C. Askew, and was erected between 1891 and 1893 with its plan based on Galleria Vittoria in Milan. It was originally named Carpenter’s Lane, though the arcade got it’s now official name from The Block, on Swanston and Elizabeth Streets.The first shop opened in the arcade, was a Singer Sewing Store. Its ceiling, painted in 1907 by JC Williams, has become a famous feature, depicting and after one-hundred years it is still in perfect condition. The old scale in the atrium was built in 1980, and for a long time it was commonly used, now although it claims it costs $1 dollar, it actually does not work. Following the completion of the refurbishment of the arcade, the recession in Australia hit Melbourne. The owners couldn’t pay back the debt and the arcade was planned to be auctioned off to another country, to three main bidders: Singapore, Hong Kong and the Middle East for plenty of money. But Mr. John Kearney the saviour of the arcade stepped in and bought the arcade for only $8 million dollars, with much delight to the people of Melbourne.



Capitol Arcade:
Capitol Arcade is an indoor walkway off Swanston and Little Collins Streets, opposite the Melbourne Town Hall. The arcade was named for the Capitol Theatre on Swanston Street. The theatre was opened in 1924 and converted to a single-level cinema and shopping arcade in 1965. Architectural writer Robin Boyd described it as "the best cinema that was ever built or is ever likely to be built." The arcade now contains a varieties shops and cafes.



Cathedral Arcade:
Catherdal Arcade is a heritage shopping arcade in Melbourne, It forms a short narrow laneway connecting Swanston Street to Flinders Lane in the central business district of Melbourne. It is a T-shaped arcade, the arcade is notable as it retains all of its original features. The arcade is fully covered by stained glass and leadlights, which forms a highly detailed arch leading to a central dome. The floors are decorated with cermatic tiles, and the shopfronts feature richly detailed wood panels.



Queens Walk Arcade:
Queens Walk Arcade was located on the present site of the City Square, this arcade once extended east from Swanston Street and turned north to open onto Collins Street, Queens Walk Arcade was constructed in 1889. Until 1925 the Melbourne Savage Club whose members included businessmen, lawyers, politicians, artists and bohemians, also resided in this arcade. Queens Walk Arcade was purchased by the City of Melbourne in the late 1960s and demolished in the early 1970s for the construction of the City Square.



Royal Arcade:
The land on which the Royal Arcade was built was prime land when Melbourne was first settled. The land was purchased for 20 pounds in 1837 by a man named Joseph Moore. In 1855 it was sold for 650 pounds to Simon Staughton. In 1868, a competition was held for the design of the arcade and was won by Charles Webb. Charles Webb was an 19th Century architect from Suffolk England who was highly respected for his work, he also designed the Melbourne Church of England Grammar School, Tasma Terrace, South Melbourne Town Hall, The Windsor Hotel, Church of Christ and the Banks and Co. Construction in 1902, a decision was made to link the arcade to Elizabeth Street, so an extra section was added to the Arcade allowing for the opening of further businesses and a throughway to Elizabeth Street from the arcade. The arcade remained in the families of Spenseley and Staughton until 1955 where the arcade was auctioned and sold to its tenants who formed a company and purchased the arcade for 541,000 dollars in the early twenty first-century the Royal Arcade was refurbished and is now one of Melbourne's most admired arcades. The Royal Arcade still remains, largely unchanged and beautiful in its Renaissance Revival style.



Walk Arcade:
The Walk Arcade is located in the heart of the city in Bourke Street Mall, and runs through to Little Collins Street. Inside The Walk Arcade you will find a variety of fashion and accessories suitable for various ages, shapes and sizes. The range of gifts available is surprising, you'll find something sporty, exotic and fine jewellery.The Walk Arcade is very popular also containing many cafes. There are future plans to refurbish the Arcade.

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