Brisbane Arcade, Art Deco shopping arcade in Brisbane CBD, Australia
Brisbane Arcade is a three-story shopping passage connecting Queen Street and Adelaide Street through a central corridor lit by clerestory windows. The passage houses approximately forty shops across multiple levels, offering fashion, jewelry, and specialty goods to shoppers moving through the city center.
The passage was built in 1923 and opened in 1924 as Brisbane's first shopping arcade of its kind. The Art Deco design reflects the city's growing prosperity and modern outlook during that decade.
The name reflects its original owners, and the space remains a working retail passage for both shoppers and those cutting through the city center. People move through daily, noticing the older design touches that set it apart from modern shopping spaces.
The passage is easy to navigate on foot, as the central corridor directly connects both streets with clear signage throughout. It serves well as a quick route through the city center when crossing between Queen and Adelaide streets.
The original terrazzo floors in the stairwells and classical design elements like triangular pediments have remained intact since opening in 1924. These crafted details showcase the building quality and attention to finishes from that era.
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