A black and white photograph of a busy city street scene with several vintage cars driving and parked alongside buildings, with pedestrians walking on the sidewalk.
A historical black and white photograph depicting a busy street with people walking, bicycles, horse-drawn carriages, and large store signs on the buildings lining the street.

Chapel Street Prahran Heritage Walk

+ Add to Itinerary

Architect/Designer: Sydney Smith & Ogg, George W McMullen, Arthur Fisher, H.W. and F.B. Tompkins.

Description

Step back in time and explore the golden days of shopping along Chapel Street, Prahran. This walking tour is full of fascinating stories about Prahran's long gone department stores. Starting at the Prahran Town Hall, you will explore gems like the former Prahran Arcade, finding out how this beautiful building on the Victorian Heritage Register has been lovingly restored. It's an all-inclusive experience, perfect for everyone – families, individuals, and even your beloved pets! Your tour guide, Steve Stefanopoulos OAM, is an architectural historian, former three-time Mayor of the City of Stonnington and former Chair of the OHM Volunteer Council and OHM Building Council.

What's On

Come on a heritage walk along Chapel St, Prahran, between High Street and Malvern Road/Commercial Road, and discover the history of the highest concentration of former department stores outside of any capital city in Australia. Chapel Street once rivalled Collins Street and Bourke Street and was a hive of activity with every major department store having a presence on the high street.

Images: (1) Chapel St looking south from Malvern Rd. (2) Chapel St looking north from near Walker St.

Important Details

Tour/event summary information

Saturday 25 July + Sunday 26 July
Tour runs 11am
Running for 60 minutes in group of 20

Bookings

This program includes both open access and pre-booked components. Where bookings are required—a $7 booking fee applies
First release tickets: 12pm Wednesday 1 July
Second release tickets: 10am Saturday 4 July

Book tour

Meeting Point

Meet outside the Prahran Town Hall on Greville Street

Accessibility

All-gender bathrooms, Accessible parking, Assistance animals welcome, All ages

What's on nearby

Explore Precinct
Silhouette of three female aerialists in front of coloured glass windows. The windows are coloured blue with a large yellow triangle in the middle.
NICA: The Joys of Circus

Friday 24 July, Saturday 25 July

A tall residential building with red columns at the entrance and a tree in front, located at 259 Malvern Road
South Yarra Prahran Social Housing: Understanding Old, Celebrating New

Friday 24 July, Saturday 25 July

In the forefront on the right there is a shrubbery with red flowers. In the background the heritage listed building of Italianate style is positioned. Its facade is white with black cast iron railings.
Australian & New Zealand College of Anaesthetists: Sympathetic Styles and Stories

Friday 24 July, Saturday 25 July, Sunday 26 July

A white building with elaborate architectural details stands in front of modern skyscrapers on a city street, with cars and pedestrians nearby.
SOM Melbourne

Saturday 25 July, Sunday 26 July

Stay in the loop