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Former Prahran Arcade

Other Name Centreway Arcade Location 282 - 284 Chapel Street,, PRAHRAN VIC 3181 - Property No B0589 File Number B0589 Level State

[1/1] B0589 The Centreway, Prahran

Statement of Significance

Designed as the Prahran Arcade in 1889 by George McMullen, a local prominent architect, and built by James Mc Mullen, this substantial but elegant arcade incorporated about 30 shops along with Turkish baths, the Arcade Club Hotel, billiard rooms, a restaurant, a bakehouse and capacious cellars. The Arcade was opened on July 31st 1890 with a grand banquet in the hotel attended by the Mayor and local dignitaries and organised by the first owner, Mrs Elizabeth Delaney. By 1891 the Arcade was recorded as being owned by the Claedonian and Australian Finance Agency Co.
The many and varied tenants covered a wide cross-section of the community and included estate agents, the Registrar of Briths, Deaths and Marriages, the Independent Workers' Union, The Theosophical Society, an Oyster Saloon, Prahran School of Art, Centreway Disposals Co. and wine merchant.
The very elaborately detailed front elevation with recessed balconies and ornate columns in the Second Empire style has not changed much except for a few alterations to the pavement entrance area, but the removal of the high mansard roof has significantly affected the overall appearance of the building. The three-storey high arcade with glazed roof and elegant cast ironwork is mainly as originally designed. With a few exceptions, the original framing to the shop window fronts which was constructed by light timber moulded sections encased in metal is still intact. Prahran Arcade forms a notable part of the Chapel Streetscape, it is a well known Prahran landmark and its occupiers have played a significant role in the history of the locality.
Classified: 27/05/1982