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.