The first purpose-built Victorian Shopping Centre in Dublin was South City Markets, commonly known now as George's Street Arcade.

In 1881 South City Markets was officially opened by the Lord Mayor Sir George Moyers after the development was heavily promoted by wealthy families with substantial property interests in the area.

The opening was a grand occasion and was well attended by the invited guests who were entertained to luncheon by the market chairman Joseph Tod Hunter Pim.

Tragedy struck the markets in August 1892 when the building was destroyed by fire, there were no fatalities but this was devastating for all concerned with the shopkeepers losing their shops and overhead homes but it was the stall holders who were hit worse by having no insurance on their stock.

The markets were rebuilt in the same style with a remodelled interior designed by William Henry Byrne,[2] this time using local labour and craftsmen and on 13 September 1894 were open once again for business.