Brisbane Arcade : Celebrating 100 Years of Urban Myth, Community Spirit and Architecture Design
By Wai Ling Leung, Program Assistant, Queensland Memory | 3 May 2024
A Brisbane Legacy
Nestled in the heart of Brisbane’s bustling city centre stands a timeless legacy of elegance, mystery, and community spirit – The Brisbane Arcade. Having opened its doors on 16 Aril 1924, the arcade proudly claims the title of the oldest remaining and grandest shopping arcade in the Brisbane region. The heritage-listed landmark celebrated its milestone with a public celebration in the Queen Street Mall and throughout the arcade on Friday 19 April with Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner cutting the 100th birthday cake on the main stage with ABC radio presenter MCs, Craig Zonca and Loretta Rya. We invite Queenslanders and visitors to immerse themselves in a century-long saga of intrigue and legacy.
Brisbane Arcade Centennial Celebration (Left to Right): Craig Zonca, ABC Brisbane, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, Loretta Ryan - ABC Radio Brisbane, and John Moore - Trustee for The Mayne Estate, with the 100th Birthday Cake in front of Brisbane Arcade. Photograph courtesy the Brisbane Arcade.
Controversial & Irresistible Origin – Money, Murder & The Mayne Family
The Mayne family’s connection to Brisbane Arcade is as intriguing as it is significant. Allegedly accused of amassing his early investment capital through the grisly act of killing and robbing Robert Cox in 1848, a sawyer who had recently arrived in Brisbane from the Tweed River area, Patrick Mayne purportedly utilised the ill-gotten gains to purchase the sole Queen Street butcher. This acquisition served as the cornerstone for a massive property empire that was built over the following decades, including Brisbane Arcade.
The site of the profitable murder at Kangaroo Point 1848, From The Mayne Inheritance, Rosamond Siemon, 1997, University of Queensland Press, St Lucia, Queensland Australia, p.92a
Despite the shadow cast by its origins, Patrick Mayne evolved into a respected businessman and city alderman. He was elected to the first Council 1859 and eventually accumulated a sizeable estate covering fifty to sixty allotments. Brisbane Arcade now serves as one of the last remnants of Mayne’s property empire.
Patrick Mayne's children, the philanthropist Dr. James Mayne and his sister Mary Emilia, along with three other siblings, have lived in the public eye but chose to forge their own legacy despite the scandal and mystery. The two siblings purchased the land for the University of Queensland in 1926. The Mayne family established the Mayne Estate philanthropic trusts to donate money to the University of Queensland Medical School and donated the land on which the University of Queensland St Lucia campus now stands in honor of their father, a man who firmly believed in education. To this day, operating proceeds from Brisbane Arcade provide a large amount of funds to the University of Queensland Medical School and medical research (Learn about the Mayne Academics).
Dr. James Mayne Portrait appears on The Queenslander annual, 1937, Haysom Melville, John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image number:702692-19371101-s009
Community Landmark – From a Marketplace to Retail Utopia
Since its inception, Brisbane Arcade has been an integral part of the Brisbane community and served as a vibrant marketplace, nurturing businesses, artisans, and creatives of all ages since its opening.
"Early retailers included S Knowles and Sons Jewellers, Eastern Art Salons, a resident of the arcade from the 1930s until the 1980s, which sold delightful handmade doilies and underwear from China, Lind’s Umbrellas (resident of the arcade for more than 60 years), Miss Emily Clegg dressmaker, Everest Chair Company (makers of theatre chairs, squatters chairs and chairs for ships), Luxor Shoe Store, Cutlery Co., Charles Swieda (toilet room proprietor presumably when bathrooms used to be attended and provide combs etc for visitors), Searls Florists (who were in the arcade until 2002, almost 80 years), Arcade Tobacco and News (which paid 3 pounds per week in rent), and George E. Adams cake." - from Brisbane Arcade History
Notably, nestled within the arcade's basement was the Johnstone Gallery, founded in February 1952 within a former air raid shelter. This gallery stood as a pillar of Brisbane's artistic community, fostering creativity and innovation. As the arcade bustled with its eclectic mix of retailers, the Johnstone Gallery provided a haven for artists and art enthusiasts alike, contributing its own unique chapter to Brisbane Arcade's storied past. View The Johnstone Gallery Archive and learn more about its past and present.
Window display in George E. Adams’s cake shop, Brisbane Arcade, 1938, John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image 32259-0001-0020.
To celebrate the 100th anniversary, Brisbane Arcade created a Centenary Memories webpage, where people are invited to submit their memories and stories.
My great grandfather A Lind founded Linds Umbrellas (A. Lind & Sons) in 1901. His two sons Archibald Lind and Stan Lind took over the business from him, and my father John Lind after them. Repairing umbrellas (yes repairing - imagine that) in the tight mezzanine level of the Linds Umbrellas shop was my first part-time job as a 14-year-old, learning the craft from my father...Customers would often tell me that Linds was the only place they would buy their umbrellas telling me how many years their last one had served them for.
I grew up with my Dad in the shop. My dad had a jewellery shop in the arcade. I remember working in the shop and clearing the windows and running inside to ask my dad for money so I could get chocolates from cavity shop. Great Memories!
As Brisbane Arcade celebrates its centenary, it continues to evolve, now offering modern amenities and experiences while preserving its rich heritage and community spirit. With venues like Keri-Craig Emporium, pioneering traditional high tea in Brisbane, the arcade remains a cherished destination for dining, shopping, and gathering, honouring its past while embracing the future.
Brisbane Arcade 100th Years Celebration Display Stand in Queen Street Mall, Brisbane - Queensland Fashion & Jewellery
Architectural Treasure – A time capsule of Queensland’s past, present and future
Designed by Queensland's renowned architect Richard Gailey Jr. for Dr. James Mayne and Mary Emelia Mayne, Brisbane Arcade stands as a testament to architectural excellence and historical significance. Reflecting the archetype of traditional shopping arcades that emerged in Europe in the late 18th century, its design captures the essence of timeless elegance and functionality. Distinctives architectural features include the Edwardian Baroque style street facades, original terrazzo stairs, intricately crafted balustrades, and dado paneling, each detail contributing to the arcade's enduring charm and character. In recognition of its architectural and cultural importance, Brisbane Arcade received Heritage Listing status in 1992, ensuring its preservation for generations to come. Today, the arcade showcases seamless blend of old-world charm and contemporary elements.
100 Years of Story Telling and Sharing
Brisbane Arcade holds within its walls a century’s worth of stories, each echoing with the voices of generations past. From the bustling energy of its early days to the quiet whispers of mystery that linger in its corridors, every corner of the arcade is imbued with history and heritage. It has witnessed the rise and fall of empires, the ebb and flow of economic tides, and the enduring spirit of a community united by tradition and innovation.
As it celebrates its centennial milestone, State Library of Queensland encourages all who pass through its gates to become part of its ongoing narrative, adding their own chapters to the rich tapestry of Queensland's cultural heritage. Join us in preserving this legacy for future generations by donating physical or digital films, objects, archives and sharing your stories with us. Your contributions will ensure that Brisbane Arcade continues to thrive as a living monument to the spirit of Queensland.
Donate your Brisbane Arcade collection items with State Library of Queensland
Reference
- Siemon, R. (1997). The Mayne Inheritance. University of Queensland Press.
- Brisbane Arcade (n.d.). 100 Years - celebrating a centenary of style. Retrieved from https://www.brisbanearcade.com.au/
- Queensland Government. (2023). Queensland Heritage Register: Brisbane Arcade. Retrieved from https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/heritage/register/brisbane-arcade
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