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The first incarnation of the Sydney Arcade (1881) was a set-square from King Street to George Street, in behind the Darrel-Lea corner. Thomas Rowe designed three arcades during the boom period of the late 19th century, the sydney Arcade in 1881, the Royal Arcade in 1882, and the Imperial Arcade in 1891. Effectively, they are all gone, with the internals of this arcade being replaced with 29 floors of office space. Telstra occupies Levels 2 to 15. The facade on the King Street frontage was retained and is the closing shot of this post.
The new Sydney Arcade arcs from King Street through to the Pitt Street Mall, on the site where I can remember going up to the Coles cafeteria on the first floor for a cheap meal when I was at Teachers' College in the late '60s. It is a pleasure to walk through, but, oh why, did we have to lose the elegance of the original?
A member of the Sunday in my City community.
Thanks for the tour. I would like to visit your city one day.
ReplyDeleteI'm so in love with your photography. It's so perfect.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful set of pictures. I want to go to Sydney. I love the accents : )
ReplyDeleteIt is modern and beautiful, yes. I would have loved to see it when it was cheap and fun. Your photographs are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteExcellent set.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tour.
I love arcades, thanks for the tour of one in Sydney ;)
ReplyDeleteThe facade is very nice, I'm glad they kept that much. I vaguely remember the original
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to remember this...but for some reason I keep coming up with a particular arcade in NY??? guess my memory doesn't go too far. It still looks beautiful to me!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Julie - very informative.
ReplyDeleteThanks
tff
Great photos and a mini tour of a city I've never visited.
ReplyDeleteInteresantes miradas de un mismo lugar...me gusta.
ReplyDeleteUn saludo desde España!
Agreed. At least we've still got the Strand. I still miss the Regent Theatre - it was criminal pulling that down. However, as far as modern arcades go this one isn't bad. Have never noticed the skylight, I guess that's the roof.
ReplyDeleteExcellent, as usual. How much "kick back" did you get from Just Jeans?
ReplyDeleteI'm rather fond of the arcardes in their current form. Your shots make them look great.
ReplyDeleteJust Jeans are Boss.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are always Boss - the arcade rooftop with the views of the landmarks is just wonderful, esp. with the way you've arranged the curves. Brava!
The entrance & facade in the last photo is so beautifully done.
The cafe in this arcade makes good coffee.
ReplyDeleteI would have liked to have seen the original arcades. I love the curve in this one.
An out of the way and unusual arcade, great perspectives of Sydney life.
ReplyDeleteThe original facade is magnificent!
ReplyDeleteThis is one modern arcade that I really like. Can't say that about many others though.
ReplyDeleteSydney - City and Suburbs
Nice shots! I hope to make it to Australia one of these days.
ReplyDeletethe photos are all perfect....beautiful....
ReplyDeleteDo you get sick of me telling you that I love your photographs? It's hard to come up with different words to appreciate the beauty that you express. You are gifted.
ReplyDelete