Charles Webb, a British-born architect with a flair for the classical, submitted a plan inspired by the great arcades of London and Paris. His vision? A place where light poured in from towering glass ceilings, where intricate ironwork curled above bow-fronted shop windows, and where every detail whispered luxury. His design won. Within a year, the arcade was brought to life. On May 2, 1870, the Lord Mayor of Melbourne opened the Royal Arcade to the public. It was love at first step.

As the decades passed, the arcade evolved but never lost its soul. In the early 1890s, its shopfronts were redesigned into elegant curved windows, inviting passersby to pause, admire, and enter. The wooden floors gave way to striking black-and-white terrazzo tiles in the 1930s, and yet the charm remained untouched.

At the southern entrance, flanking a grand timepiece by Melbourne clockmaker Thomas Gaunt, two imposing figures took their place in 1892. Gog and Magog, mythical giants from English folklore, began their hourly ritual—mechanically striking bells in perfect unison. Children stared in awe. Adults paused their errands to marvel. For over a century, these guardians have watched time pass through the arcade. At the opposite end, Father Time stands silently, reminding everyone that though we stroll through the past, we are still tethered to the ticking present.

Today, the Royal Arcade isn’t a relic—it’s alive. Walk its length and you’ll find artisan chocolatiers, handbound notebooks, elegant jewelry, and curious treasures tucked into every corner. It’s not uncommon to find a tarot card reader waiting quietly near the back, or a chocolatier offering samples with a wink.

The arcade is also part of Melbourne’s Golden Mile Heritage Walk, connecting it to other heritage arcades like the Block Arcade. It’s more than just a place to shop; it’s a place to wander.