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The Strand Arcade

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Victorian architecture is a series of architectural revival styles in the mid-to-late 19th century. Victorian refers to the reign of Queen Victoria (1837–1901), called the Victorian era , during which period the styles known as Victorian were used in construction. However, many elements of what is typically termed "Victorian" architecture did not become popular until later in Victoria's reign, roughly from 1850 and later. The styles often included interpretations and eclectic revivals of historic styles (see Historicism ) . The name represents the British and French custom of naming architectural styles for a reigning monarch. Within this naming and classification scheme, it followed Georgian architecture and later Regency architecture and was succeeded by Edwardian architecture .

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66-679: The Strand Arcade is a heritage-listed Victorian-style retail arcade located at 195–197 Pitt Street in the heart of the Sydney central business district , between Pitt Street Mall and George Street in the City of Sydney local government area of New South Wales , Australia. It was designed by John B. Spencer, assisted by Charles E. Fairfax; and built from 1890 to 1892 by Bignell and Clark (1891), with renovations completed by Stephenson & Turner (1976). The only remaining arcade of its kind in Sydney,

132-534: A Pueblo (village) into a Victorian Downtown – now almost entirely demolished but with residential remnants in its Angelino Heights and Westlake neighborhoods. San Francisco is particularly well known for its extensive Victorian architecture, especially in the Haight-Ashbury , Lower Haight , Alamo Square , Western Addition , Mission , Duboce Triangle , Noe Valley , Castro , Nob Hill , and Pacific Heights neighborhoods. The extent to which any one

198-558: A gold rush and population boom during the 1880s in the states of New South Wales and Victoria . There were fifteen styles that predominated: The Arts and Crafts style and Queen Anne style are considered to be part of the Federation Period, from 1890 to 1915. Western influence in architecture was strong when Hong Kong was a British colony . Victorian architecture in Hong Kong: Georgian architecture

264-412: A concourse served by cantilevered access galleries, with five storey connections at both street fronts. Bridges across the concourse link the upper floors. The glass roof was especially designed to reduce glare for the photographic studios on the upper levels. Constructed of stuccoed brick with cast iron roof structure, cantilevered galleries, cast iron and carved balustrades , and timber framed shopfronts,

330-623: A face-lift recently and entered the 21st century as one of the most fashionable shopping centres in Eastern Europe . An early French arcade is the Passage du Caire created in 1798 as a tribute to the French campaign in Egypt and Syria . It was appreciated by the public for its protection from the weather, noise and filth of the streets. A year later American architect William Thayer created

396-457: A first class shopping arcade with long term tenants. The Nut Shop, which still operates today, opened in 1939. The Strand Arcade celebrated its 125th anniversary in August 2016 with a series of events and offers for customers. Retailers hosted free tasters, pop-up stalls, designer appearances and The Balvenie whisky tasting station. The events recreate the energy of a majestic Victorian arcade over

462-424: A less expensive and more functional Neoclassical design submitted by Jean-Baptiste Vallin de la Mothe (1729–1800). Throughout the following century, Gostiny Dvor was augmented, resulting in ten indoor streets and as many as 178 shops by the 20th century. During the post- World War II reconstructions, its inner walls were demolished and a huge shopping mall came into being. This massive 18th-century structure got

528-513: A light and airy atmosphere in keeping with modern usage. The pedestrian-only precinct planning principle, and its design reveals European influences interpreted in an Australian context. The arcade was considered a fashionable promenade. Over 600 people were invited to its opening in 1892 and very few failed to attend this event. The place has a strong or special association with a person, or group of persons, of importance of cultural or natural history of New South Wales's history. The Strand Arcade

594-473: A meaningful way. Some styles, while not uniquely Victorian, are strongly associated with the 19th century owing to the large number of examples that were erected during that period: During the 18th century, a few English architects emigrated to the colonies, but as the British Empire became firmly established during the 19th century, many architects emigrated at the start of their careers. Some chose

660-467: A sheltered walkway for pedestrians; they include many loggias , but here arches are not an essential element. An arcade may feature arches on both sides of the walkway. Alternatively, a blind arcade superimposes arcading against a solid wall. Blind arcades are a feature of Romanesque architecture that influenced Gothic architecture . In the Gothic architectural tradition, the arcade can be located in

726-502: A three-day period, with a range of special deals, demonstrations. The complex will also launch the seventh volume of its "1891" magazine this week. The arcade is the longest of the Victorian arcades extending 104 metres (340 ft) between George and Pitt Streets with a basement originally containing shops reached by stairs in the ground floor concourse. The Strand has three storeys - consisting of an enclosed arcade on each side of

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792-508: A time when Sydney had developed streets running south from Circular Quay with relatively few cross streets linking them. The arcades offered pedestrians and goods protection from the harsh sun and heavy rain, as street awnings were not yet in use. Thomas Rowe designed the first two arcades: the Sydney and Royal Arcades in 1881 and 1882, and in 1891 proposed the Imperial Arcade. In 1887–1888, Rowe's former assistant C. A. Harding built

858-400: A tourist visit since its construction. It is valued by Sydneysiders and visitors as a beautiful arcade with high quality shops. The place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales. The Strand was the longest of the Victorian arcades. The lighting for the concourse consisted of chandeliers, suspended from

924-403: Is another early shopping arcade. Sprawling at the intersection of Nevsky Prospekt and Sadovaya Street for over one kilometer and embracing the area of 53,000 m (570,000 sq ft), the indoor complex of more than 100 shops took twenty-eight years to construct. Building commenced in 1757 to an elaborate design by Bartolomeo Rastrelli , but that subsequently was discarded in favour of

990-526: Is associated with J. B. Spencer & G. E. Fairfax, European architectural design influences in Australia and long-term tenants such as Coombs Bootmakers, Margo Richards Antiques (25 years) and the engraving kiosk (42 years). The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales. The light and airy feeling

1056-536: Is more prominent in Ireland than Victorian architecture. The cities of Dublin, Limerick, and Cork are famously dominated by Georgian squares and terraces . Though Victorian architecture flourished in certain quarters. Particularly around Dublin's Wicklow Street and Upper Baggot Street and in the suburbs of Phibsboro , Glasnevin , Rathmines , Ranelagh , Rathgar , Rathfarnham , and Terenure . The colourful Italianate buildings of Cobh are excellent examples of

1122-537: Is the "largest surviving example" is debated, with numerous qualifications. The Distillery District in Toronto, Ontario contains the largest and best-preserved collection of Victorian-era industrial architecture in North America. Cabbagetown is the largest and most continuous Victorian residential area in North America. Other Toronto Victorian neighbourhoods include The Annex , Parkdale , and Rosedale . In

1188-723: The Ancient Greek architecture of the Hellenistic period , and were much used by the Romans, for example at the base of the Colosseum . Church cloisters very often use arcading. Islamic architecture very often uses arcades in and outside mosques in particular. In Renaissance architecture elegant arcading was often used as a prominent feature of facades, for example in the Ospedale degli Innocenti (commissioned 1419) or

1254-1176: The David Sasoon Library are some examples of Victorian Architecture in Mumbai. In Kolkata (Formerly called Calcutta) buildings like the Victoria Memorial , Calcutta High Court , St Paul's Cathedral , The Asiatic Society of Bengal are some examples of Victorian Architecture in Kolkata. In Chennai (Formerly called Madras) some examples include Madras High court , State Bank of Madras and St. Mary's Church . Many churches and colleges such as Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica Kochi , University College Trivandrum , Government College of Fine Arts Trivandrum , Napier Museum , State Central Library of Kerala , Government Victoria College Palakkad , CMS College Kottayam and SB College Changanasserry are some of finest examples of Victorian architecture in Kerala. Efforts to preserve landmarks of Victorian architecture are ongoing and are often led by

1320-608: The Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert in Brussels which was inaugurated in 1847 and Istanbul's Çiçek Pasajı opened in 1870. Shopping arcades were the precursor to the modern shopping mall , and the word "arcade" is now often used for malls which do not use the architectural form at all. The Palais-Royal , which opened in 1784 and became one of the most important marketplaces in Paris, is generally regarded as

1386-626: The New South Wales State Heritage Register published by the State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) 2018 under CC-BY 4.0 licence , accessed on 14 October 2018. Victorian architecture Although Victoria did not reign over the United States, the term is often used for American styles and buildings from the same period, as well as those from the British Empire . During

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1452-467: The Victorian Society . A recent campaign the group has taken on is the preservation of Victorian gasometers after utility companies announced plans to demolish nearly 200 of the now-outdated structures. Arcade (architecture) An arcade is a succession of contiguous arches , with each arch supported by a colonnade of columns or piers . Exterior arcades are designed to provide

1518-527: The architecture of Aberdeen . While Scottish architects pioneered this style it soon spread right across the United Kingdom and remained popular for another forty years. Its architectural value in preserving and reinventing the past is significant. Its influences were diverse but the Scottish architects who practiced it were inspired by unique ways to blend architecture, purpose, and everyday life in

1584-503: The 1890s. When the arcade opened in 1892, it was said to be the very latest in shopping centre designs and was described as, "The finest public thoroughfare in the Australian colonies". The arcade has endured two depressions , two World Wars and two major fires. The restored shop fronts are an exact replica of the original internal shopping facades. The Victorian arcades provided much needed shopping frontage and pedestrian space at

1650-640: The High Street front with its four entrances. In 1772, the newly formed Market committee, half of whose members came from the town and half from the university, accepted an estimate of nine hundred and sixteen pounds ten shillings, for the building of twenty butchers' shops. Twenty more soon followed, and after 1773 meat was allowed to be sold only inside the market. From this nucleus the market grew, with stalls for garden produce, pig meat, dairy products and fish. Gostiny Dvor in St Petersburg , Russia

1716-460: The Palais-Royal became one of the first examples of a new style of shopping arcade, frequented by both the aristocracy and the middle classes. It developed a reputation as being a site of sophisticated conversation, revolving around the salons, cafés, and bookshops, but also became a place frequented by off-duty soldiers and was a favourite haunt of prostitutes, many of whom rented apartments in

1782-732: The US, the South End of Boston is recognized by the National Register of Historic Places as the oldest and largest Victorian neighborhood in the country. Old Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky , also claims to be the nation's largest Victorian neighborhood. Richmond, Virginia is home to several large Victorian neighborhoods, the most prominent being The Fan . The Fan district is best known locally as Richmond's largest and most 'European' of Richmond's neighborhoods and nationally as

1848-647: The United States, and is an example of an intact 19th-century urban neighborhood. According to National Register of Historic Places, Cape May Historic District has one of the largest collections of late 19th century frame buildings left in the United States. The photo album L'Architecture Americaine by Albert Levy published in 1886 is perhaps the first recognition in Europe of the new forces emerging in North American architecture. Canada's chief dominion architects designed numerous federal buildings over

1914-543: The United States, 'Victorian' architecture generally describes styles that were most popular between 1860 and 1900. A list of these styles most commonly includes Second Empire (1855–85), Stick-Eastlake (1860– c.  1890 ), Folk Victorian (1870–1910), Queen Anne (1880–1910), Richardsonian Romanesque (1880–1900), and Shingle (1880–1900). As in the United Kingdom, examples of Gothic Revival and Italianate continued to be constructed during this period and are therefore sometimes called Victorian. Some historians classify

1980-498: The United States, and others went to Canada, Australia , New Zealand, and South Africa. Normally, they applied architectural styles that were fashionable when they left England. By the latter half of the century, however, improving transport and communications meant that even remote parts of the Empire had access to publications such as the magazine The Builder , which helped colonial architects keep informed about current fashion. Thus,

2046-633: The Victoria Arcade. Designed by English architect John Spencer, The Strand was built in 1890–1892 by Bignell and Clark, and opened on 1 April 1892, as the fifth and last of the arcades built in Sydney in the Victorian era . It is the only one remaining in its original form today. The arcade was to be 104 metres (340 ft) long, and three storeys high. Its lighter neo-classical fluted columns, delicate ironwork and carved balustrades contrasted with Rowe's heavier more stolid designs. The opening of

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2112-400: The arcade looks like a row of Victorian terraces with cast -iron balconies. Neo-classical fluted cast iron columns , and elaborate traceries of ornamental lacework cast delicate shadows in the sunlight from the vast glass panelled roof. The concourse lighting consisted of chandeliers suspended from the crown of the roof trusses and lit by fifty gas and fifty electric lamps in each. Some of

2178-493: The arcade was a grand affair with over 600 invitees. It was described as a "well designed modern arcade" with "first class shops". The style was described by the Sydney Mail as an adaptation of several continental designs with the aim to achieve strength and elegance. The richly tiled floor became a favourite fashionable promenade. The Arcade was originally known as the 'City Arcade' and sometimes as 'Arcade Street'. In 1891 it

2244-464: The architect Alexander Thomson who practised in Glasgow was a pioneer of the use of cast iron and steel for commercial buildings, blending neo-classical conventionality with Egyptian and Oriental themes to produce many truly original structures. Other notable Scottish architects of this period are Archibald Simpson and Alexander Marshall Mackenzie , whose stylistically varied work can be seen in

2310-474: The building. One of the earliest British examples of a shopping arcade, the Covered Market, Oxford , England was officially opened on 1 November 1774 and is still active today. The Covered Market was started in response to a general wish to clear "untidy, messy and unsavoury stalls" from the main streets of central Oxford. John Gwynn , the architect of Magdalen Bridge , drew up the plans and designed

2376-540: The cedar baluster posts were made to match the handcrafted originals. Tessellated tiles, stained glass and cedar stairs and shopfronts were adapted from the original designs. As at 23 August 2004, good physical condition following restoration works in 1976, and 1980. The arcade is still used as a retail pedestrian precinct. The Pitt Street end retains its original walls, doors and fittings. The 1976–1977 restoration copied original designs. Cast iron balustrades and cedar balusters were handcrafted after original designs, and

2442-801: The course of the Victorian era. Thomas Fuller's completion of the Canadian Parliament Buildings in 1866, in particular, established a High Victorian Gothic influence over Canadian architectural design for several consecutive decades, producing many public buildings, churches, residences, industrial buildings, and hotels. Because India was a colony of Britain, Victorian Architecture is prevalent in India, especially in cities like Mumbai , Kolkata, Kerala and Chennai. In Mumbai (Formerly called Bombay) buildings like Municipal Corporation Building , Bombay University , Bombay High Court , Asiatic Society of Mumbai Building (Former Town Hall) and

2508-584: The courtyard of the Palazzo Bardi , both by Filippo Brunelleschi in Florence . The French architect, Bertrand Lemoine, described the period, 1786 to 1935, as l’Ère des passages couverts (the Arcade Era). He was referring to the grand shopping "arcades" that flourished across Europe during that period. A shopping arcade refers to a multiple-vendor space, operating under a covered roof. Typically,

2574-401: The crown of roof trusses, and each containing fifty gas and fifty electric lamps. The glass roof panels were tinted to filter the light for the upper storey photographic studios. The conservation work undertaken in the late 20th century can provide physical evidence of heritage building conservation philosophy and practice of the time. The place possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of

2640-537: The cultural or natural history of New South Wales. The Strand was the finest, longest and is now the only surviving intact Victorian arcade in Sydney. The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural or natural places/environments in New South Wales. One of five Victorian arcades in Sydney built to provide a pedestrian precinct and to protect goods and pedestrians from weather. The conservation works following fires in 1976 and 1980 are representative of conservation practice of

2706-452: The earliest example of the grand shopping arcades. Originally, a royal palace, the complex consisted of gardens, shops and entertainment venues situated under the original colonnades. The area boasted some 145 boutiques, cafés, salons, hair salons, bookshops, museums, and numerous refreshment kiosks as well as two theatres. The retail outlets specialised in luxury goods such as fine jewellery, furs, paintings and furniture designed to appeal to

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2772-798: The earliest open loggias include: Mercato Nuovo (1547) by Giovanni Battista del Tasso (and funded by the Medici family ); Mercato Vecchio, Florence by Giorgio Vasari (1567) and Loggia del Grano (1619) by Giulio Parigi . Arcades soon spread across Europe, North America and the antipodes. Examples of these grand shopping arcades include: Palais Royal in Paris (opened in 1784); Passage de Feydeau in Paris (opened in 1791); London's Piccadilly Arcade (1810) and Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele (1878). Some examples of arcades in North America include New York's Paddock Arcade (1850), Ohio's Dayton Arcade (1904), and Rhode Island's Westminster Arcade (1828). Other notable nineteenth century grand arcades include

2838-539: The early 19th century, the romantic medieval Gothic Revival style was developed as a reaction to the symmetry of Palladianism , and such buildings as Fonthill Abbey were built. By the middle of the 19th century, as a result of new technology , construction was able to incorporate metal materials as building components. Structures were erected with cast iron and wrought iron frames. However, due to being weak in tension, these materials were effectively phased out in place for more structurally sound steel . One of

2904-2190: The elements of several different styles and are not easily distinguishable as one particular style or another. Notable Victorian-inspired cities during this era include, Astoria in Oregon ; Philadelphia and Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania ; Washington, D.C. ; Boston in Massachusetts ; Alameda , Eureka , San Francisco , and Midtown Sacramento in California ; The Brooklyn Heights and Victorian Flatbush sections of New York City , Garden City on Long Island , and Albany , Troy , Buffalo , and Rochester in Upstate New York ; Asbury Park / Ocean Grove , Cape May , Deal , Flemington , Freehold , Hackettstown , Jersey City / Hoboken , Metuchen , Montclair , Ridgewood , Plainfield , Summit , and Westfield in New Jersey ; Chicago , Galena , and Winnetka in Illinois ; Detroit and Grand Rapids in Michigan ; Cincinnati and Columbus in Ohio ; Galveston in Texas ; Baltimore in Maryland ; Louisville in Kentucky ; Atlanta in Georgia ; Milwaukee in Wisconsin ; New Orleans in Louisiana ; Richmond in Virginia ; St. Louis in Missouri ; and Saint Paul in Minnesota . Los Angeles grew from

2970-690: The grand shopping arcades may have derived from the fashionable open loggias of Florence however medieval vernacular examples known as 'butterwalks' were traditional jettied colonnades in British and North European marketplaces; examples remain for example in Totnes and Dartmouth in Devon . During the 16th-century, a pattern of market trading using mobile stalls under covered arcades was established in Florence, from where it spread throughout Italy. Examples of

3036-498: The greatest exponents of iron frame construction was Joseph Paxton , architect of the Crystal Palace . Paxton also continued to build such houses as Mentmore Towers , in the still popular English Renaissance styles. New methods of construction were developed in this era of prosperity, but ironically the architectural styles, as developed by such architects as Augustus Pugin , were typically retrospective. In Scotland ,

3102-426: The harsh elements, and a safe haven where people could socialise and spend their leisure time. As thousands of glass covered arcades spread across Europe, they became grander and more ornately decorated. By the mid-nineteenth century, they had become prominent centres of fashion and social life. Promenading in these arcades became a popular nineteenth-century pastime for the emerging middle classes. The inspiration for

3168-461: The influence of English architecture spread across the world. Several prominent architects produced English-derived designs around the world, including William Butterfield ( St Peter's Cathedral, Adelaide ) and Jacob Wrey Mould (Chief Architect of Public Works in New York City ). The Victorian period flourished in Australia and is generally recognised as being from 1840 to 1890, which saw

3234-427: The interior, in the lowest part of the wall of the nave , supporting the triforium and the clerestory in a cathedral , or on the exterior, in which they are usually part of the walkways that surround the courtyard and cloisters . A different, related meaning is "a covered passage with shops on one or both sides". Many medieval open arcades housed shops or stalls, either in the arcaded space itself, or set into

3300-638: The largest contiguous Victorian neighborhood in the United States. The Old West End neighborhood of Toledo, Ohio is recognized as the largest collection of late Victorian and Edwardian homes in the United States, east of the Mississippi . Summit Avenue in Saint Paul, Minnesota , has the longest line of Victorian homes in the country. Over-The-Rhine in Cincinnati, Ohio , has the largest collection of early Victorian Italianate architecture in

3366-511: The later years of Gothic Revival as a distinctive Victorian style named High Victorian Gothic. Stick-Eastlake , a manner of geometric, machine-cut decorating derived from Stick and Queen Anne, is sometimes considered a distinct style. On the other hand, terms such as " Painted Ladies " or " gingerbread " may be used to describe certain Victorian buildings, but do not constitute a specific style. The names of architectural styles (as well as their adaptations) varied between countries. Many homes combined

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3432-432: The light fittings, which still exist, were designed by the architect. Following the 1976 and 1980 fires, large portions of the interior were reconstructed to match the original in appearance, with an upgrade of materials for fireproofing concealed under traditional materials. Some of the original fabric remains as fragments. The two suspended type hydraulic lifts were repaired, the golden cast iron balustrades were copied and

3498-438: The main wall behind. From this, "arcade" has become a general word for a group of shops in a single building, regardless of the architectural form . The word "arcade" comes from French arcade from Provençal arcada or Italian arcata , based on Latin arcus , ‘bow’ (see arc and arch ). A related but ambiguous term is arcature , which is either a small arcade or a blind arcade . Arcades go back to at least

3564-412: The most recent in 1976 and 1980. The Strand Arcade is one of Sydney's best known and loved buildings and is significant for the continuity of occupation and uses. The building contains significant examples of late nineteenth century building construction including the lift well structure, cast iron structural framing, cast iron roof trusses, coke breeze floors and tessellated ceramic tiles. Strand Arcade

3630-520: The object being to achieve strength with elegance. It reflects the importance of Pitt Street and George Street as the premier retail precinct in Sydney. It is a significant component in the late Victorian/early twentieth century streetscape of George and Pitt Streets and contributes to one of the most substantial groups of late Victorian commercial buildings in the CBD. It has the potential to continue in its current use following several restorations after fires,

3696-512: The period. Part of the video for singer David Bowie 's 1983 single " Let's Dance ", took place in The Strand Arcade.<ref> Rose Howard (6 April 2017). "Shop This New Music Video Filmed Inside The Strand Arcade" . Broadsheet.com.au . Retrieved 30 January 2022 . </the series jag season five esp 15 was partly filmed there [REDACTED] This Misplaced Pages article contains material from Strand Arcade , entry number 1864 in

3762-420: The property was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 13 December 2011. Being three storeys high, the arcade has the traditional-styled protruding galleries, cedar staircases, tiled floors, cast iron balusters and timber framed shop fronts, under a prominent, tinted glass roof to reduce glare. The arcade contains the preliminary boutiques that characterized the Sydney shopping experience of

3828-700: The regional Victorian style in Ireland. Further examples of Victorian architecture in the country include Dublin's George's Street Arcade , the Royal City of Dublin Hospital on Baggot Street and the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital on Adelaide Road. During the British colonial period of British Ceylon: Sri Lanka Law College , Sri Lanka College of Technology , Galle Face Hotel and the Royal College Main Building. In

3894-490: The restoration of the two hydraulic lifts, laying of a new tiled floor, the copying of the golden cast-iron balustrades, and reproductions matching of the original hand-carved cedar baluster posts. The restoration work also removed additions, which had spoiled the original design. Several fires caused considerable damage, especially that of May 1976, which damaged the George Street end especially. The arcade continues as

3960-424: The roof was constructed of glass to allow for natural light and to reduce the need for candles or electric lighting. The 18th and 19th century arcades were designed to attract the genteel middle classes. In time, these arcades came to be the place to shop and to be seen. Arcades offered shoppers the promise of an enclosed space away from the chaos that characterised the noisy, dirty streets; a warm, dry space away from

4026-440: The two hydraulic lifts were restored. As at 23 August 2004, Designed in restrained Classic revival style, it is probably the finest of Sydney's shopping arcades built in the Victorian period, and the only one that has not been radically altered. It is the only surviving pre-1960 arcade. It is a rare building type within Sydney and Australia. The best known work of Spencer and Fairfax, it adapted several favourite continental designs,

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4092-477: The wealthy elite. Retailers operating out of the Palais complex were among the first in Europe to abandon the system of bartering, and adopt fixed-prices thereby sparing their clientele the hassle of bartering. Stores were fitted with long glass exterior windows which allowed the emerging middle-classes to window shop and indulge in fantasies, even when they may not have been able to afford the high retail prices. Thus,

4158-550: Was considered remarkable in contrast to Rowe's heavier designs in the context of the Sydney Victorian arcades. The Strand retains this aesthetic quality through the ornamental lacework panels, fluted columns and natural light. The Strand Arcade was considered the finest of the Victorian arcades in Sydney at the time of construction and still retains a reputation for good design. The balustrades, brackets and roof construction showed great skill and workmanship. Much attention

4224-411: Was given to detail: light fittings were designed by the architect, even the sanitary appliances were given much attention. The Strand Arcade is a fine example of the work of J. B. Spencer & Fairfax 1891–2. The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in New South Wales for social, cultural or spiritual reasons. The Strand Arcade has been promoted as

4290-427: Was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 13 December 2011 having satisfied the following criteria. The place is important in demonstrating the course, or pattern, of cultural or natural history in New South Wales. The Strand is the only remaining example of Victorian arcade construction and style in Sydney, linking Victorian and modern Sydney retail history. Although over 100 years old it retains

4356-453: Was named after the famous London Street that links the City of London and the City of Westminster . The Strand was London's smartest theatre, hotel and shopping street in the early 1900s. The arcade became run down as time went by. Restoration work was carried out in the 1970s, but a fire broke out on the morning of 25 May 1976. The arcade was partly destroyed. The ensuing sympathetic restoration by Prudential Assurance in 1976–1978 included

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