Difference between revisions of "Block Arcade"
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| + | == Doing the Block == | ||
| + | The Block Arcade is one of the finest examples of a 19th Century shopping arcade. It is renowned for its impressive etched glass roof with decorative wrought iron and timber supports and has the largest mosaic floor area in Australia. The complex is classified by the National Trust and is on the register of the National Estate. | ||
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| + | Designed by architect D.C. Askew for the financier Benjamin Fink, the arcade was constructed in two sections in 1891 and 1893. It derived its name from the tradition of "doing the block", or parading around Melbourne's fashionable shopping streets. | ||
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| + | The arcade was restored and refurbished by the Buchan Group, which upgraded the complex to modern retail and commercial standards while remaining faithful to the original Victorian vision. The work involved the reinstatement of original timber shopfronts, the repairing, cleaning, painting and illuminating of the upper facades to Collins and Elizabeth Streets, and the design of a new entry canopy for Elizabeth Street. A popular venue within the arcade is the Hopetoun Tearooms. | ||
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| + | == Description == | ||
| + | The arcade proper is L-shaped, connecting Collins Street at the south end to Elizabeth Street on the west. The 'L' shape is converted into a 'T' through the junction on the north side with Block Place, a partly covered pedestrian lane that leads to Little Collins Street, opening opposite the Royal Arcade. The block arcade was known for its well known young larrikin gang called the "barcade boys" who dealt drugs all day and hired prostitutes at night. | ||
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| + | The arcade which was erected between 1891 and 1893 was designed by architect David C. Askew whose brief was to produce something similar to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milan. The result was one of Melbourne's most richly decorated interior spaces, replete with mosaic tiled flooring, glass canopy, wrought iron and carved stone finishings. The exterior facade of the six story office has near identical facades on Collins and Elizabeth Streets and is one of Australia's best surviving examples of the Victorian Mannerist style. | ||
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| + | The arcade was formerly known as "Carpenter's Lane", however the precinct was widely known as "The Block". Once the works were complete, local shopkeepers successfully petitioned to have it changed to its present name. | ||
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| + | It is a significant Victorian era arcade and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. Along with Melbourne's other main arcade, the Royal Arcade, and Melbourne's lanes, it is a tourist icon of the city. | ||
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| + | ---- | ||
| + | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block_Arcade,_Melbourne | ||
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| + | http://theblock.com.au/ | ||
Revision as of 04:51, 6 March 2016
[[]]
Doing the Block
The Block Arcade is one of the finest examples of a 19th Century shopping arcade. It is renowned for its impressive etched glass roof with decorative wrought iron and timber supports and has the largest mosaic floor area in Australia. The complex is classified by the National Trust and is on the register of the National Estate.
Designed by architect D.C. Askew for the financier Benjamin Fink, the arcade was constructed in two sections in 1891 and 1893. It derived its name from the tradition of "doing the block", or parading around Melbourne's fashionable shopping streets.
The arcade was restored and refurbished by the Buchan Group, which upgraded the complex to modern retail and commercial standards while remaining faithful to the original Victorian vision. The work involved the reinstatement of original timber shopfronts, the repairing, cleaning, painting and illuminating of the upper facades to Collins and Elizabeth Streets, and the design of a new entry canopy for Elizabeth Street. A popular venue within the arcade is the Hopetoun Tearooms.
Description
The arcade proper is L-shaped, connecting Collins Street at the south end to Elizabeth Street on the west. The 'L' shape is converted into a 'T' through the junction on the north side with Block Place, a partly covered pedestrian lane that leads to Little Collins Street, opening opposite the Royal Arcade. The block arcade was known for its well known young larrikin gang called the "barcade boys" who dealt drugs all day and hired prostitutes at night.
The arcade which was erected between 1891 and 1893 was designed by architect David C. Askew whose brief was to produce something similar to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milan. The result was one of Melbourne's most richly decorated interior spaces, replete with mosaic tiled flooring, glass canopy, wrought iron and carved stone finishings. The exterior facade of the six story office has near identical facades on Collins and Elizabeth Streets and is one of Australia's best surviving examples of the Victorian Mannerist style.
The arcade was formerly known as "Carpenter's Lane", however the precinct was widely known as "The Block". Once the works were complete, local shopkeepers successfully petitioned to have it changed to its present name.
It is a significant Victorian era arcade and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. Along with Melbourne's other main arcade, the Royal Arcade, and Melbourne's lanes, it is a tourist icon of the city.
