The Strand Arcade (1891)

The heading for this post is not true, of course. 1891 is, indeed, the date on the shingle above the entrance to the gallerie. However, 1n 1976 and again in 1980, the arcade suffered extensive fire damage. In appearance, if not function, it was restored. The Strand is the last survivor of five glorious arcades built between 1881 and 1892 , faithfully reproducing the galleries of Paris and London. The other four were: the Royal Arcade; the Piccadilly Arcade; the Victoria Arcade; and the Imperial Arcade. Many of them were designed by Thomas Rowe, after whom Rowe Street - may it rest in peace - was named. Developers, nowadays, seem to raze entire city blocks en-masse and build interconnecting passageways here, there, and everywhere. These are NOT arcades ... (sniff, sniff).