BLOCK & ROYAL ARCADE, 2021
Melbourne, Victoria

The Royal Arcade, which extends from Bourke Street through to Little Collins Street, was erected in 1869 for Messrs. Staughton and Spensley. Charles Webb was the architect and gained the commission through a design competition. In 1902 an Annexe was built to Elizabeth Street to the designs of architects Hyndman and Bates and an arched verandah was added to the Bourke Street facade. Due to dilapidation caused by rats' tunnels, the original Castlemaine flag floor was replaced in 1934 by black and white concrete squares which, were later replaced by similarly coloured terrazzo tiles. In 1892 the figures of Gog and Magog were installed at the southern end of the main walkway. These were sculpted by Mortimer Godfrey and modelled on effigies in the Guildhall, London, which were built in 1708 to replace those lost in the Great Fire of 1666. They were thought to represent survivors of a race of giants destroyed by Brutus the Trojan, the legendary founder of London. Gaunts clock was also installed at about this time.

Sourced from the Victorian Heritage Database Report: Royal Arcade Accessed 15/12/2021

The Block Arcade was developed by financier Benjamin Fink. The Collins Street section of the building was completed in February 1892 and is similar in style to the Milano Galleria Vittorio Arcade in Italy. The new shopping arcade was designed by David.C.Askew of the architectural firm Twentyman and Askew. The site of 96-102 Elizabeth Street was purchased by the City Property
Company Ltd in January 1892. Architect David Askew was called upon to continue his style for the arcade and this area was completed in October the following year.

The Block Arcade comprises of arcade shops with mezzanine levels above for social rooms and offices, shops to Collins Street, Block Place and Elizabeth Street and four levels of office space above. Linking the two spaces is an elaborately patterned mosaic floor of tiles, which were imported from Europe.

Sourced from the Victorian Heritage Database Report: Block Arcade Accessed 15/12/2021