The Strand Arcade

Wedged neatly between Pitt and George Streets in Sydney’s central business district, The Strand Arcade has been charming visitors since 1892. Picture a Victorian-era daydream: cedar staircases, intricate ironwork, and a glass canopy that pours sunlight over three elegant levels. English architect John Spencer gave the city a shopping arcade with as much flair as function, stretching a stately 340 feet from end to end.

From the start, it was more than a passageway for errands—it was a spectacle. Among its earliest marvels? Electricity. Shoppers didn’t just come for bookshops and jewelers; they came to see the place glow. The Strand Arcade was one of the first places in Sydney to be lit up by electricity. Visitors came from all around to be delighted by the modern marvel. Through the decades, it doubled as a social stage: The Ambassadors Café was the cat’s pajamas in the 1920s, while Chequers Night Club was a hit spot in the 1950s.

The arcade has endured its share of dramas: the Great Depression dimmed its bustle and a 1976 fire nearly consumed it. Yet each time, restoration breathed it back to life. Today, The Strand is still buzzing, mixing stalwarts like The Nut Shop (est. 1939) and Strand Hatters with a lineup of Australian designers. Step inside and you’ll find a rare thing: a shopping arcade that doubles as a time capsule.