Royal Arcade - Melbourne

Location: Bourke St, Melbourne
Opened: May, 1870

Designed by architect Charles Webb, who won the design competition in 1868, Royal Arcade is one of the most treasured relics in inner Melbourne. Taking 11 months to construct, the Arcade was opened by Lord Mayor Charles Amess.

In 1892, the famous Gaunt's clock and statues of Gog and Magog were added. The sculpture still chimes hourly throughout the arcade. 10 years later, an annex was added to link the arcade to Elizabeth Street.

The land was purchased by Simon Staughton in 1855 for 650 pounds, 100 years later the Staughton family would sell the land nearly $550,000. The arcade was restored in 2002-2004, including the addition of a skylight to add natural light.

Related:
Block Arcade

Block Arcade - Melbourne

Location: Collins and Elizabeth Street
Opened: 1892

Originally known as Carpenter's Lane, the Block Arcade is one of Victoria's most popular tourist destination. The story of the Block Arcade begins in 1889, when a fire started in the George's store on the current site. The fire was one of the biggest Melbourne had ever seen and lead to the creation of the Melbourne Fire Brigade.

David Askew was the architect given the job of designing the Block Arcade, which currently houses 29 retailers. One of them is the Hopetoun Team Rooms, which has operated in the arcade since 1892.