The Strand Arcade

Historical building converted into shopping mall, rather similar to QVB, although a bit smaller. Good place to take photos as well. Shop wise a good mix of fashion + beverages.

The Strand Arcade is a heritage-listed Victorian-style retail arcade located at 195–197 Pitt Street in the heart of the Sydney CBD. Linking George and Pitt streets, it is Sydney's only surviving Victorian shopping arcade dating from the late nineteenth century. Established in 1891 and opened in 1892.

The Strand Arcade – A Hidden Gem in the Heart of Sydney Walking into The Strand Arcade felt like stepping back in time — in the best way possible. Right in the middle of Sydney’s busy CBD, this place is a total surprise. The architecture is absolutely stunning with its old-school charm: mosaic floors, detailed ironwork, warm lighting, and a gorgeous glass roof that lets the sun pour in. It’s like something out of a movie set. The shops inside are mostly Australian designers and boutique brands, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for something stylish and unique — not your average mall stuff. I found a beautiful handcrafted leather wallet and grabbed a flat white at one of the cozy cafés upstairs. Even if you’re not big on shopping, The Strand is worth a visit just to soak up the vibe. It’s classy, calm, and full of character. Definitely one of my favorite unexpected finds in Sydney!

Excellent hidden gem of a Victorian style shopping arcade. Great breeze to keep cool as well on a hot day.

Another grand old school-type indoor mall very near the QVB mall. Sydney has retained their turn of the century malls, how wonderful. This is a very must visit especially for the architecture- awesome.

Vintage style shopping arcade in Sydney cbd. There are some boutique shops as well as the regular brands. Christmas decorations were great.

Bad experiences multiple time with the staffs, only there is the bag I need otherwise go for somewhere else! No service mind, no good manner because you look Asia, such a shame. The staffs said no manager there who I can give a comment or explain what the particular staff’s done to me to make me feel unwelcome.

The Strand Arcade in Sydney is awesome! It's like stepping into history with its fancy architecture. There's Haigs chocolates for yummy treats, Victoria Buckley Jewelry for sparkly stuff, Mud Australia for beautiful ceramics. The nut shop is like a nut wonderland, and Aesop has cool skincare products that smell amazing. It's like a magical apothecary. You can also get your shoes shined at the Shoe Shine Stall. It is well worth a visit when in Sydney.

First floor lots of coffees-beautiful spice shop - upper floors are boutique bridal, clothing and tailor. Basement is electronics. Beautiful building.

We kind of wandered into the Strand Arcade by accident and were wowed! This vintage mall reminds me of the Passages Couvert in Paris for sure. The Strand has 3 levels filled with period-perfect charm. Vintage tile, original elevators and original storefronts everywhere you look. Shopping wise, the ground floor has a few cafes, many vintage jewelry shops and souvenirs. The upper floors have tony boutiques, bridal stores and authentic craftsmen making shoes and tailoring suits. You need some serious bucks to. E shopping up here! Step back in time for a bit and definitely stop at one of the tasty chocolate shops on the ground floor for a treat.

Love the interior. I feel like I have stepped back in time (Victorian times to be precise). There isn't a ton of shopping but I think walking around in here is an experience on its own. It can be quite busy on the weekends, especially the ground floor. However, traffic is less busy on the upper floors. (Though the prices get significantly higher). Oh well, most people come here to window shop anyways ! I would recommend getting a cuppa at the cafe in the middle of the arcade and enjoy the mall's decor :) Highly recommended for tourist and locals !

I really love these old arcades, and there seems to be one of them in each of the capital cities that I've been to (which excludes Perth, Hobart, and Darwin). They still carry that really nice 19th century charm, and they are so pleasant to walk through. Okay, you probably only need ten or so minutes to check it out, which also makes the place really convenient, especially if you are planning to doing quite a lot of other things while you are in Sydney, and being of Pitt Street Mall makes it quite accessible. However, there are a couple of coffee shops inside, in case you are interested in just sitting down and enjoying the atmosphere - though you may have to pretend that the JB HiFi sign isn't there.

A cute old style (yet trendy) shopping centre within Pitt Street Mall. Their cafes are constantly changing, and regardless of whatever happens it attracts the crowds from all different age groups; although with that slow paced 19th century feel; the arcade mainly attracts older people, and for the young ones it is simply a great walk through to George Street with a bus stop situated right outside the other end. Some of their shops are so cute; including the nut shop, and you have some of the modern establishments that provide great service such as Jurlique, Strandbags and Haigh's Chocolate. I was also impressed with the service I received at their JB Hi-Fi branch to buy a great stereo. All handled here at the arcade; as you head downstairs where the duty free establishment used to be. Timeless in itself; the traditional shoe shine service is also fantastic. I have not been upstairs very often; however all of the services I have been to downstairs are just fantastic. Definitely a most prominent Sydney landmark. There will be tears if this arcade ever gets knocked down to make way for a more contemporary establishment. Pitt Street Mall already has Westfield Sydney in to fill that void.

Opened in 1892, this Victorian arcade still retains plenty of the old-school elegance that English architect, John Spencer, envisioned when he put forward the plans for The Strand in the mid-1880s. It did have to be fully restored in the 1970s after a fire gutted the building, but rather than go for a new-age 70s look, they decided to restore it to its former glories (thank god!). Its 3 floors are now home to an abundance of designer clothing, jewellery and chocolate shops (and a JB Hi-Fi in the basement), as well as a couple of cafés where you can have a sit down in their pseudo-outdoor setting. It's worth a visit, even just to have a wander through and do a bit of window shopping as you won't find many places in Sydney like it!

I don't know what qualifies a building to be considered an Arcade as opposed to a mall or a shopping centre. But from my observation of having visited the Brisbane Arcade and Melbourne's Royal Arcade, I conclude that Arcades have Quaint shops! Entering into The Strand is like stepping back into time. They seem to be home to more exclusive stores than chain stores. I enjoying walking past the antique shops and browsing in the windows of used watch dealer shops. I occasionally stop by Taka Tea and scan the coin shop for 1966's fifty cent coins. Also the coffee at Strand Espresso provides the perfect atmosphere for absorbing the magnificence of the Strand. Although, more popular stores like Aesops and JB Hifi also call The Strand home, they too seem to take on a slight slant and blend in the quaintness and charm.

When I first entered The Strand Arcade, I felt like I was in the whimsical world of Harry Potter. The complex is an important piece of Australian history and was built in the late 19th century. Its distinctly Victorian design of the Arcade's interior is utterly fantastical, with stunning tile mosaics on the floor and stained glass above. The main corridor of the Arcade is narrow, which means that it can be quite unpleasant if it's very crowded. Beyond the aesthetic beauty of The Strand, there are over three-dozen boutiques for Australian designers, selling both apparel and jewelry. There are also several cafes right in the middle of the Arcade. It's definitely a touristy place and most of the stores seemed to be filled with mostly foreign visitors.

The most beautiful shopping arcade I've ever seen. It's a perfectly preserved piece of Victorian architecture, with lots of charm. Every time I come here, I feel as though I've stepped back in time. It's not my favorite place to shop, mostly because the shops here are either very high-end or just downright impractical for my lifestyle, but it's a great place to come visit. Oh, and they do have my favorite chocolate shop in Sydney here (Haigh's).

A cool old arcade shopping center in the city. There are a couple coffee shops on the main level where you can sit in the middle of the arcade and look up at the amazing detail of the building itself. There are a few hidden gems in the building - restaurants on the higher levels so worth a bit of exploration. And of course the chocolate shops. They don't make shopping centers like they used to!

The Stand Arcade is a place of beauty, fashion and design. From its charming architecture to its haute couture fashion, The Strand manages to make an impact on anyone and everyone. As a prime piece of real estate, the arcade houses some of the top retailers in Australia. High end stores are dotted throughout the building and attracts tourists and locals alike. While there is plenty to do and see, there are fewer stores for the typical male client. If The Strand Arcade is not within your price range, it is still a great place to go. Chocolate shops are simply divine and are worth a visit. Many people shop at The Strand Arcade for formal gear, weddings and other special occasions. Famous jewelers are also located within the building, many of which are renowned for their engagement-ring-worthy diamonds and jewels. There are plenty of other shops and restaurants. Hair by Valente is a well known hairdresser which attracts working professionals who need a hair makeover in their lunch break. The Strand is accessible from Town Hall station and has a passageway underneath that leads from the station to the lower levels of the Strand building.

A small shopping mall, but so so beautiful. I loved the look and feel of this place. The Strand is in the middle of all the shopping/stores, so if you don't find what you need, go outside and visit the Westfield mall.

Escape the mayhem of Pitt Street in an instant by stepping back in time inside The Strand Arcade. Explore timeless antique jewellery and the latest designer fashion. Have uber upmarket lunch at Pendolino, sample a chocolate from a choice of choccy shops, or grab a home style cake from Sweet Infinity and escape the city altogether with your tastebuds. As with every shopping arcade/ complex in the Sydney CBD, 'going up' equates to less people. So move on up, I say. Take the stairs if you're agile, or give the pegs a rest and take a minute to admire the inside of those rickety old world elevators. Again, as per every other shopping arcade/ complex in the Sydney CBD, the higher you get, the more designer... the more expensive the outlets become... hence that gradual decline of bodies because mere mortals can't afford an Alex Perry wedding dress (he's right next to Pendolino). Tip: if you are after an AP wedding dress, try it on before you have lunch or face getting stuck in bridal garb. There is something for everyone in this elegant old girl.

This beautiful Victorian shopping strip is filled with interesting boutiques and cafes worth trying. It is a great place for an afternoon stroll, an evening walk or a place to relax and take in the majesty of the place. The boutiques vary and are filled with interesting knick-knacks, crafts, accessories and clothes. This wonderful strip of shops is a must see for tourists and locals alike. However, don't expect this to be a place to save your pennies.

I am from the US so I quickly learned that Aussies call their malls, Arcades. This is not an arcade of video games but rather a small mall with several high end stores that i could not possibly afford to buy from. It is really beautiful inside and worth a stroll if you are near by.

This old time Victoria styled Mall is worth the visit. Lots of boutique stores and a great place to stroll and shop or sit at a cafe and watch the people walking by. This is among several other streets of shopping, so if it's not your "cup of tea" then you can simply walk down the next street or mall. I only wish I had more time when I was there and will definitely go back when I am in Sydney.

The Strand Arcade is truly the last memorial to the history of Australian shopping arcades. Its beautiful and you should pop in for a look. Some of the great shops here include Sweet Infinity, AESOP and Crumpler Bags.

At first glance this was just such a beautiful little shopping mall that I didn't care what shops where in it. Was just so nice looking at the lovely old style shop fronts. Then I decided I should actually look at the insides of the shops and was happy to see chocolate shops, lovely little cafés and pretty much anything you need in between. I would highly recommend this little mall for anyone who wants to do a little shopping with a lot of old Sydney charm. I could have wandered around or sat with a nice cuppa in this charming little spot for hours just admiring the view. This is a must do in Sydney.

The Strand Arcade is a world of its own. Famous for million dollar diamond jewels, the finest Australian chocolates and a fashion edit of the creme de la creme of cutting edge Australian designers and artisans. Although it obviously caters specifically to the rich and famous I absolutely adore it. Even just having a coffee there is such a buzz. Very beautiful building - and things. Christopher Hanlon, Haighs, Alex Perry + Dinosaur Designs are my favs.

I've watched this place on and off for a long time and it really fluctuates with the types of businesses and the times it goes through. The lower levels have a really strong throughput of business, from your JB HiFi and cafes for every day shopping to your high end shopping in the upper levels which are for the high end budgets. The look of the place matches QVB in many ways with older architecture which matches some of the shops in the upper levels and the clientele they attract. I really like this place. It is business focused, not entertainment focused - apart from meals on the ground and second level with La Rosa and Pendolino. For the odd tourist that finds their way into the place, it's worth a walk-through.

Taking a trip into The Strand Arcade is like taking a trip through history. Opened over 100 years ago The Strand Arcade is the only arcade in its original form still standing in Sydney. Inside is just beautiful with intricately tiled floors and ornate ironwork balconies home to a 'who's who' of Australian designers like Alex Perry, Jayson Brunsdon, Zimmerman, Terry Biviano and Fleur Wood. Specialty stores also inhabit The Strand like Funkis, kikki.K and Victoria and Albert Antiques. Each store has its own swing sign which adds to the boutique feel of the shopping. Overall a lovely place to shop, especially if you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Pitt Street Mall.

Pretty arcade with lots of lovely little boutiques and cafes. Great for a browse and a break from the hectic CBD.

A Sydney icon. A perfectly preserved and restored 19th century shopping arcade, similar in style to the nearby Queen Victoria Building but on a smaller, more intimate scale. The store mix is similar to the QVB, a lot of stores selling expensive designer clothes and handbags, but with a number of chocolate shops, coffee shops and a large JB Hi Fi store on the basement level. The cafes and restaurants scattered throughout the centre are all popular spots, which is generally a good sign. The ground floor is quite busy, as it acts as a throughfare between George and Pitt Streets, but walk, or take the vintage elevator, to the upper floors and it's a lot quieter. The glass roof, as well as providing a view of the skyscrapers above, certainly makes the place feel very bright and airy, making for a very pleasant space.