The Strand Arcade facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Strand Arcade |
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Interior of The Strand Arcade
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| Location | 195-197 Pitt Street, Sydney central business district, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1890–1892 |
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| Official name: Strand Arcade | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 13 December 2011 |
| Reference no. | 1864 |
| Type | Shopping/retail complex |
| Category | Retail and Wholesale |
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The Strand Arcade is a beautiful old shopping arcade in the heart of Sydney, Australia. It's located on Pitt Street, between Pitt Street Mall and George Street. This special building was designed by John B. Spencer and built between 1890 and 1892.
The Strand Arcade is the only one of its kind left in Sydney from the Victorian era. It has three floors with classic features like wooden stairs, tiled floors, and fancy metal railings. All of this is under a large, tinted glass roof that helps reduce bright sunlight. When it opened in 1892, people called it "The finest public thoroughfare in the Australian colonies." The arcade has survived two major economic downturns, two World Wars, and even two big fires! Today, it's still a popular place to shop.
Contents
A Look Back: The Strand Arcade's Story
In the late 1800s, Sydney needed more shopping areas and places for people to walk. Streets were often sunny or rainy, and there weren't many cross streets. Arcades like The Strand provided covered walkways and more shops. They were a great solution for shoppers and businesses.
Building a Victorian Masterpiece
The Strand Arcade was designed by an English architect named John Spencer. It was built from 1890 to 1892 and opened on April 1, 1892. It was the fifth and last arcade built in Sydney during the Victorian period. It's special because it's the only one that still looks like it did when it was first built.
The arcade was planned to be about 104 meters (340 feet) long and three stories high. Its design was lighter and more elegant compared to other arcades built at the time. It featured delicate ironwork and carved railings.
A Grand Opening and a New Name
The opening of The Strand Arcade was a very fancy event. Over 600 people were invited! It was described as a "well designed modern arcade" with "first class shops." The beautiful tiled floor quickly became a popular place for people to stroll.
At first, the arcade was called 'City Arcade' or 'Arcade Street'. But in 1891, it was named after The Strand, a famous street in London. The London Strand was known for its theaters, hotels, and shops in the early 1900s.
Surviving Fires and Restorations
Over time, the arcade started to look a bit old. Restoration work began in the 1970s to bring back its original beauty. However, a fire broke out on May 25, 1976, causing a lot of damage, especially at the George Street end.
After the fire, more careful restoration work was done between 1976 and 1978. This included fixing the old hydraulic lifts and replacing the tiled floor. The golden metal railings and carved wooden posts were also copied to match the originals. This work helped bring the arcade back to its former glory.
The Strand Arcade continues to be a top shopping destination. Some shops, like The Nut Shop, have been there for a very long time, since 1939! In 2016, the arcade celebrated its 125th birthday with special events and offers for shoppers.
What The Strand Arcade Looks Like
The Strand Arcade is about 104 meters (340 feet) long, connecting George Street and Pitt Street. It has three main floors for shops. There's also a basement that originally had shops, reached by stairs.
Inside the Arcade
The arcade has an open space in the middle, with shops on each side. The upper floors are connected by bridges that cross this open area. The large glass roof was specially designed to reduce glare. This was important for the photographic studios that used to be on the upper levels.
The building is made of brick covered in stucco. It has a cast-iron roof structure and beautiful metal and carved wooden railings. The shops have timber frames, making the arcade look like a row of old Victorian houses with balconies. Sunlight coming through the glass roof creates delicate shadows from the fancy metalwork.
Lighting and Details
Originally, the arcade's lighting came from chandeliers hanging from the roof. Each chandelier had 50 gas lamps and 50 electric lamps! Some of the light fixtures you see today were designed by the original architect.
After the fires in 1976 and 1980, much of the inside was rebuilt. It was made to look exactly like the original, but with better fireproof materials hidden underneath. The two old hydraulic lifts were repaired. The golden metal railings and cedar wooden posts were carefully copied to match the handcrafted originals. Even the tiled floors, stained glass, and wooden stairs were made to look like the first designs.
Current Condition
The Strand Arcade is in good condition today, thanks to the restoration work done in 1976 and 1980. It is still a busy place for people to shop and walk through. The Pitt Street side of the arcade still has its original walls, doors, and fittings.
Why The Strand Arcade is Special
The Strand Arcade is considered one of Sydney's finest shopping arcades from the Victorian period. It's the only one from that time that hasn't been changed a lot. This makes it a very rare and important building in Sydney and Australia.
It shows how important Pitt Street and George Street were as the main shopping areas in Sydney. The arcade is a key part of the old Victorian buildings in the city center. It has continued to be used as a shopping arcade even after several fires.
The Strand Arcade is well-known and loved by people in Sydney and visitors. It's important because it has been used continuously for so long. The building also shows amazing construction techniques from the late 1800s, like its lift structure, cast-iron frames, and tiled floors.
The Strand Arcade is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register. This means it's officially recognized as an important historical site.
A Link to History
The Strand is the only remaining example of a Victorian-style arcade in Sydney. It connects the past and present of shopping in the city. Even though it's over 100 years old, it still feels bright and open today. Its design was inspired by European styles but adapted for Australia. It was once a very fashionable place for people to walk and be seen.
Creative Design and Skill
The arcade's light and airy feel was considered amazing compared to other, heavier designs of the time. It still has this beautiful quality with its decorative metalwork, fluted columns, and natural light. The Strand Arcade was thought to be the best of Sydney's Victorian arcades when it was built, and it still has a reputation for great design. The railings, brackets, and roof construction show incredible skill. A lot of attention was paid to every detail, even the light fittings were designed by the architect!
A Valued Place
The Strand Arcade has been promoted as a tourist attraction since it was built. People from Sydney and visitors love it as a beautiful arcade with high-quality shops.
Learning from the Past
The Strand was the longest of the Victorian arcades. Its lighting system, with chandeliers holding both gas and electric lamps, was very advanced for its time. The tinted glass roof panels were designed to filter light for the photographic studios upstairs. The work done to restore the building after the fires in the late 1900s also teaches us about how historical buildings were preserved back then.
A Rare Survivor
The Strand was the finest and longest Victorian arcade in Sydney. It is now the only one that remains mostly unchanged. This makes it a truly rare and special part of Sydney's history.
Gallery
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Level 1 shops
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Lift
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Shops
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Outside view
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