Royal Arcade, Melbourne facts for kids
The Royal Arcade is a famous old shopping arcade in the city of Melbourne, Australia. It opened way back in 1870, making it the oldest arcade still standing in Australia!
This beautiful arcade connects Bourke Street Mall to Little Collins Street. It also has a path that goes off to the side, leading to Elizabeth Street. People love the Royal Arcade for its bright, elegant inside and the huge carved figures of Gog and Magog that stand at its southern entrance.
The Royal Arcade is a popular spot for tourists, just like the nearby Block Arcade. Both are part of Melbourne's special network of lanes and arcades in the city center. The arcade is so important that it's listed on the Victorian Heritage Register and by the National Trust of Australia. It's also a key part of Melbourne's "Golden Mile" heritage walk.
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History of the Royal Arcade
The Royal Arcade was designed by an architect named Charles Webb. He won a competition in 1868 to design it. The arcade has a tall glass roof that lets in lots of light. It also has rows of arched windows above each shop, which used to lead to storerooms. The arcade officially opened on May 2, 1870.
For about 20 years, the arcade stayed mostly the same. Then, some changes and new features were added.
Famous Features: Gog and Magog
At the southern end of the arcade, you'll find its most famous part: the carved figures of Gog and Magog. These are mythical giants that stand on either side of 'Gaunt's clock'. Every hour, the clock makes the arms of Gog and Magog strike bells! At the northern end, there's a figure of Father Time. All these figures were added in 1893. Gaunt was a very well-known clock-maker in Melbourne at that time.
Changes Over the Years
Originally, the arcade ended at the south with an entrance to a Turkish Bath. But in 1902, this area was opened up to Little Collins Street. That same year, the Elizabeth Street extension was added to the west side.
Over the years, the shopfronts changed many times. In the 1890s, they were all changed to have curved "bow" windows. Later, many were changed again. Some small shops were added in the middle of the arcade. The black and white checkered floor you see today was put in place in 1934. In the 1920s, a cast-iron verandah (a covered porch) was removed from the outside, but it was rebuilt in the 1990s.
Recent Renovations
Between 2002 and 2004, the arcade had a big makeover. Many old features were fixed and brought back to their original look. This included making all the shopfronts look like they did in 1894, giving the arcade a consistent style again. Around 2010, the outside of the building was repainted yellow and white, with shiny gold details.
How to Access the Royal Arcade
The main entrance to the Royal Arcade faces Bourke Street. From there, you can walk south all the way through to Little Collins Street. In the middle of the arcade, there's also a path that goes west to Elizabeth Street. Near the Little Collins Street end, you can also find a connection to a smaller place called the Hub Arcade.
Images for kids
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The Bourke Street Mall facade in 2006
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Southern end featuring Gog and Magog statues, and Gaunt's clock
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Sculpture of Father Time
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Bow fronted shopfronts
