Description

Emerging in the nineteenth century, Melbourne’s arcades played a significant role in shaping the city’s urban and retail landscape. These arcades provided sheltered passages through the city which were a pleasant alternative to the busy streets outside.

One of the earliest, Royal Arcade, modelled on British examples, paved the way for others. The fashionable Block Arcade was modelled on the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan. Cole’s Book Arcade, famed for its whimsical displays and entertainment, exemplified the innovative spirit of the era, famously promoting itself as “strange as it looks.” The arcade's arrangement of small individual shops, with space for workrooms or offices above, enabled small businesses—many owned by women—the opportunity to have a showroom in a busy part of the city.

However, Melbourne’s arcades were not only places of commerce but also social institutions. Their popularity as leisure destinations became so pronounced that many arcades employed uniformed beadles to maintain orderly movement and security for patrons. While numerous early arcades have since vanished due to urban redevelopment, several remarkable examples endure.

What's On

Join author and heritage consultant Kristine Slawinski on a guided walking tour through some of Melbourne's most beautiful and historic city arcades, uncovering the rich stories and intricate details often overlooked in everyday city life. Drawn from her recently published book Melbourne Heritage Interiors, this tour invites participants to slow down and look closely at the craftsmanship, design and social history embedded within these iconic spaces. This walking tour is a rare opportunity to experience Melbourne's heritage interiors through an expert lens, building a deeper appreciation of the beauty, history and hidden narratives of the city's arcades.