The Block Arcade

The Block Arcade is a historic shopping arcade in the heart of Melbourne, built between 1891 and 1893. One of the finest examples of the late Victorian era, it is now among the city's most popular sights. The L-shaped complex connects Collins Street with Elizabeth Street and has an octagonal rotunda at the corner. To the north lies Block Place, a covered pedestrian zone that leads to Little Collins Street, where it links up with the Royal Arcade. The Mannerist-style facade is among the best-preserved of its era in Australia. The name comes from the fashion of the day, when people would stroll elegantly dressed along this stretch of Collins Street to see and be seen and to visit the shops there.

Architecturally, the arcade impresses with its rich decoration. Here you'll find mosaic floors, a glass roof supported by cast and wrought iron, and tall, elaborately crafted wooden display cases. The design was drawn up by the architects Twentyman & Askew and is said to be modeled on the Galleria Vittorio in Milan. Within the arcade, historic shops have distinctive features of their own, such as an elaborate painted ceiling in the former Singer store or an embossed metal ceiling in the former Kodak store. The adjoining Block Court, an early Art Deco interior, is also part of the complex and has been restored in recent years.

The history of the site is closely tied to Melbourne's economic boom of the 1880s. After a devastating fire in 1889, the financier Benjamin Fink seized the opportunity to build a luxurious arcade on this central spot. Since then the building has changed hands several times, though extensive renovations have always preserved its historic fabric. Today the arcade is run by the Cohen family, who continue to look after its Victorian details. The Block Arcade is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register and gives you an impressive glimpse into the urban culture and architecture of the late 19th century.