Block Arcade, Heritage shopping arcade in central business district, Melbourne, Australia.
The Block Arcade features an L-shaped layout with a glass canopy, mosaic tiled floors, and cast iron decorations connecting Collins Street to Elizabeth Street.
Constructed between 1891 and 1893 after a fire destroyed Georges Emporium, the arcade became a central retail destination in Victorian-era Melbourne.
The arcade earned its name from the social practice of 'doing the block', where people would walk through the area to display their fashion.
The Block Arcade contains multiple stores, tea rooms, and boutiques, with access points from Collins Street, Elizabeth Street, and Block Place.
The arcade floor displays the largest collection of mosaic tiles installed in Australia during the nineteenth century, imported directly from Europe.
Location: City of Melbourne
Official opening: 1892
Address: 96–102 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Website: https://theblock.com.au
GPS coordinates: -37.81580,144.96400
Latest update: May 24, 2025 06:57
Melbourne combines historic heritage and nature across several notable sites. The Queen Victoria Market, established in 1878, spans seven hectares and offers fresh products and local crafts. The Royal Botanic Gardens have housed over 8,500 plant species on 36 hectares since 1846. Flinders Street Station, built in 1910, marks the city center with its French architecture and green dome. Federation Square covers 3.2 hectares and hosts the Arts Centre, NGV Gallery, and restaurants. The surrounds of Melbourne provide various destinations. The Great Ocean Road stretches 243 kilometers between Torquay and Allansford, along limestone cliffs and rock formations of the Twelve Apostles. St Kilda is popular for its beach, pier, and Luna Park, an amusement park dating back to 1912. Phillip Island is a 100 km² natural reserve where penguins return to the coast each evening, and the island also hosts seal colonies. The Melbourne Museum displays natural history collections and Aboriginal culture, while the Eureka Tower offers views of the city from 297 meters high.
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