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Photograph of a sandy coloured building against a blue sky, with decorative moldings and statues, the name PRAHRAN ARCADE is shown gold painted
Photograph of a series of heritage buildings in a busy shopping street, each have an awning with shops below and more historic 2-4 storey facades above
Photograph of a sandy coloured building with highly decorated facade, arches, and an eagle sculpture
A person in a high-vis shirt is sitting down on scaffolding and carving a decorative column capitol, the new carving is a grey colour and the surrounding area is sandy coloured
A vertical column betwen two doors is divided into four portions, three have a historic hand painted sign and one is blank
photograph of a long pitched ceiling, supported by decorative arches and columns with floral patterns, the lower half of each side of the roof is glazed, the space feels bright and airy.
Photograph of a sandy coloured building against a blue sky, with decorative moldings and statues, the name PRAHRAN ARCADE is shown gold painted

Prahran Arcade

George McMullen 1890, RBA Architects + Conservation Consultants 2023, Abode Restoration 2023

Description

Prahran Arcade opened in August 1890 and has since been known for its grand frontage. Originally, its ground level was accessed via both Chapel and Arcade streets (now Little Chapel Street), and consisted of 29 shops, including a tailor, café, watchmaker, florist, confectioner, fruit shop, frame maker, oyster saloon and dressmaker. In the following 130 years it has also been home to artists, wine stores, and more recently to Dan Murphy’s and JB Hi-Fi.

In recent years, substantial conservation work has been carried out to reinstate the original, highly elaborate appearance of the Chapel Street frontage of the Prahran Arcade, and have a positive impact on the broader Victorian and Federation period character of the Chapel Street Precinct and the streetscape in general.

What's On

Heritage and conservation experts from RBA Architects will be presenting the project on Chapel Street, discussing multiple layers of the building's history, uncovered through detailed research and during conservation work. Contemporary digital recording techniques used to understand the complex existing condition of the building will be discussed, along with the methods used to both conserve the building's heritage and promote contemporary thinking and design.

Outside of these talks, heritage and conservation experts from RBA will be available to discuss the project and answer questions. Access into the building is not included in the event, however shops on the ground floor and basement level are likely to be open to the public during the day.

Images: (1-3) Restored façade. Photos: Thurston Empson. (4) Conservation works in progress. Photo: RBA. (5) Ground floor signage following conservation. Photo: RBA. (6) Internal view. Photo: Finder Seeker. (7) Restored façade. Photos: Thurston Empson.

Important Details

Time & Date

Saturday 27 July
Open access with RBA Architects team 12pm-4pm
Talks at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm + 3pm
Running for 15 minutes in groups of 10

Meet at 281 Chapel Street, opposite Prahran Arcade (284 Chapel Street), to attend the talks, and view and discuss the façade conservation works.

ACCESSIBILITY

Partially wheelchair accessible, Accessible parking nearby

Location

282-284 Chapel St, Prahran VIC 3181

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