2 March 2019

Block Court Arcade, #HarryNorris, 1930, where the architecture is actually far more exciting than the shops.

Described as ‘modernistic’ in Oct 1930, and ‘embodying the latest ideas from America and the Continent’, it’s what we now call Art Deco, which had more or less started in Paris in 1925, and taken up with gusto in the US by the late 20s.

The style did not really make a mark here until 1930, the very first full on interior was Coles Bourke Street, which had opened in March – it was also design by Norris, who made frequent trips to the US.

The shopfronts are set slightly forward to conceal uplights that illuminate it so nicely. I do like the gold, but originally it was silver with highlights in ‘old ivory and blue’

The intricate #terrazzo floor of the #BlockCourtArcade, #HarryNorris, 1930. Most peculiar, not exactly your typical Art Deco motifs.

The #BlockCourtArcade was created in 1930 through the ground level of an 1890 building in #CollinsStreet, and originally opened through to the #BlockArcade by removing a shop in the Elizabeth Street leg.

It was perfectly intact in the 1980s, then in the 90s the back half was turned into a single shop, removing shopfronts and covering the floor and ceiling (!) – then in 2016 that area become a walk-thru #BankofMelbourne, uncovering the floor and ceiling (yay!) and using partly reinstated shopfronts as counters, very odd. The Bank also occupies the left side, with Camper on the other, so where there were 11 shops is now 2.

26 February 2025

In the middle of last year, the bank left, and the rear shopfronts were reinstated, but I’m not sure what’s in them. The sliding doors are retained, but done better. All this while it remains unprotected, but it’s owned by the owners of the Block Arcade, so it’s in good hands.

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