Royal Arcade, Melbourne

The Royal Arcade is an historic shopping arcade in the central business district of Melbourne, Victoria. Opened in 1870, it is the oldest surviving arcade in Australia, known for its elegant light-filled interior, and the large carved mythic figures of Gog and Magog flanking the southern entry.

The arcade's main entry faces Bourke Street, and it connects south through to Little Collins Street, with an extension in the centre running west to Elizabeth Street. There is also a connection to the smaller Hub Arcade near the Little Collins Street end.

Designed by Charles Webb, who won a competition in 1868, the arcade features a high glass roof and rows of arched windows to the storerooms above each shop. At the south end is the arcade's most famous feature, the carved mythical figures of Gog and Magog, flanking Gaunt's clock, which triggers the arms of the figures to strike bells each hour, while the north end features a figure of Father Time, all added in 1893.

The arcade originally ended at the south with an entrance to a Turkish Bath, but was opened up to Little Collins Street in 1902, along with the creation of the large arched niche, the same year as the Elizabeth Street extension. The arcade changed little over the years except for the shopfronts, altered into bow fronted windows in 1890-1894, many then altered again over the years, various central kiosks, and the black and white chequered floor added in 1934.

In 2002-04 a major refurbishment repaired and restored many historic features, including the recreation the 1894 shopfronts, bringing a consistency to the shopfronts once more.

The arcade is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register., and by the National Trust, and Melbourne's Golden Mile heritage walk runs through the arcade.

Along with Melbourne's other historic arcade, the Block Arcade, it is a tourist icon of Melbourne, and part of the network of lanes and arcades in the central shopping area of the city.

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