Royal Arcade, Melbourne

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 is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register,[1] as well as by the National Trust of Australia.

[3] 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.

The arcade originally ended at the south end, with an entrance to a Turkish Bath,[4] but this was opened up to Little Collins Street in 1902, along with the creation of the large arched niche, and in the same year an extension was added to the west side through to Elizabeth Street .

The shopfronts were all changed into bow fronted windows in 1890-1894, later many altered again, various central kiosks were added, and the black and white chequered floor laid in 1934.