Victorian Shopping Arcade

The Victorian Shopping Arcade in Torquay, built between 1909 and 1915 to designs by PR Wood, was originally intended to be a theatre but was never completed and is now used as a shopping precinct. The building is constructed from Bathstone ashlar and features a roof that is concealed behind a parapet, with stone chimney stacks that have moulded cornices.

The arcade is designed in a Neo-Baroque style and is located on a corner site, with its long side facing Torwood Street and the entrance positioned to face up Torwood Street. The exterior consists of two storeys and presents a grand symmetrical elevation with a ratio of 1:5:1 bays to Torwood Street. The ground-floor bays are divided by rusticated piers, topped with a fascia and a projecting cornice supported by brackets. The central five bays project forward and are separated above the ground floor by giant engaged Ionic columns, which support an entablature and a dentil cornice below the parapet.

Large windows feature moulded architraves and overlights with small panes, while the outer bays are recessed and have rusticated quoins. The round-headed windows are adorned with eared architraves, moulded keystones, and sill brackets, with panels below carved with the names of Irving and Garrick. Statues of Fame and Justice are positioned over the outer bays. The entrance elevation on the left return consists of 1:3:1 bays, with the central three bays canted, pedimented, and projecting forward on Doric columns. The upper storey is divided by Ionic pilasters, with a relief of Neptune in the pediment. The interior has been modernised.