About Brisbane Arcade – Brisbane’s Jewel In The Crown
About Brisbane Arcade has welcomed Queensland’s royalty of fashion and jewellery designers since opening in 1924. Over the decades, it has remained a premier shopping destination. Before Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall introduced concept stores, multi-level shopping centres, and superstores, the city’s consumers came here for couture fashion, jewellery, and tailoring.
Today, this iconic Arcade invites visitors into a space rich in history, memories, and timeless elegance. As a result, it continues to attract both locals and tourists alike.
This landmark offers a “must-see” shopping and historical experience for anyone visiting Brisbane. Furthermore, it uniquely blends heritage with modern shopping.
If you want to learn more about Brisbane Arcade, explore its grand heritage as an arcade ‘for the people.’ Many visitors cherish their time here. Moreover, its distinct old-world charm captivates all who enter.
Brisbane’s finest artisans, designers, and craftspeople create many unique or locally made goods within its very own walls. Bespoke retailers thrive here. Behind beautiful shopfronts with glistening jewels, ticking watches, and stunning fashion, visitors can explore exquisite gift emporiums, enjoy specialty high tea venues, or browse stores found nowhere else in Brisbane.
As its centennial approaches, this historic arcade will celebrate 100 years in 2024. Therefore, now is the perfect time to visit and experience its timeless charm.
An Ongoing Gift Legacy at The Brisbane Arcade
Brisbane Arcade is owned and operated by The Mayne Estate philanthropic trust. As a result, its operating proceeds benefit the University of Queensland (UQ) Medical School and medical research.
Established in 1938, the Mayne Estate bequest to UQ remains one of Australia’s most significant philanthropic gifts. Over the years, this contribution has helped fund UQ’s world-class research across complex medical conditions. These include cancer, skin diseases, maternal and child health, chronic illness, and mental health.
The bequest began with James and Mary Emelia Mayne, the Arcade’s original owners. Because of their vision, they wanted to create a lasting legacy that would give back to the community.
Moreover, James O’Neil Mayne, a prominent Brisbane surgeon, played a key role in donating the land at St Lucia, which is now home to UQ’s main campus. Even today, two trusts operate under the original bequest to manage Brisbane Arcade.
Therefore, when you shop here, you are shopping with heart. Every purchase directly supports life-saving global medical research.
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Brisbane Arcade in the Queen Street Mall is the Brisbane’s oldest and grandest shopping Arcade.
Art-Deco Architecture at The Brisbane Arcade
Built in 1923 with the first shops believed to have opened in 1924, Brisbane Arcade in the Queen Street Mall is the Brisbane’s oldest and grandest shopping Arcade.
Brisbane Arcade’s famous, checkered history revolves around the Mayne family and is built on the site of Patrick Mayne’s butcher shop. The Mayne family is well known as being one of Queensland’s biggest benefactors – a legacy which began with Patrick who allegedly deathbed confessed to murder and robbery.
Modelled on grand European arcades of the late 18th Century, James and Mary Emelia commissioned Queensland’s most celebrated architect, the Irish-born Richard Gailey Jr to design the magnificent Brisbane Arcade.
Brisbane Arcade’s architectural features include Edwardian Baroque style street façades, sleek and original terrazzo floors and stairs, majestic clerestory lighting, carved balustrades and dado panelling.
Built over three main shopping levels (basement, main street Arcade and gallery levels), fashion and jewellery designer workrooms and studios can be found on the Gallery and upper loft levels.
As a pedestrian thoroughfare, it connects two of Brisbane’s premier city streets – Queen Street Mall and Adelaide Street.
Brisbane Arcade was heritage listed in 1992.
