At 37 Swanston Street, the Nicholas Building is a ten-storey, heritage-listed Art Deco landmark built in 1926. Its ground-floor Cathedral Arcade has a stained-glass ceiling, while restored vintage lifts and detailed gates, doors and corridors reward a look around. The floors hold artist studios, galleries and independent businesses, from jewellery and clothing to books and craft supplies. Go to see the architecture as well as browse; weekday visits are a better choice if you want to find more businesses open.
A ten-storey creative building
The Nicholas Building opened in 1926 and is heritage-listed. Its ten floors bring together creative businesses, shops, galleries and studios inside an Art Deco structure. The mix includes artists, jewellers, tailors, milliners, booksellers and makers, along with other independent businesses.
The building is sometimes called a vertical laneway: instead of following a street between shops, you can explore a collection of small businesses spread through a single building. The range can include clothing, zines, handmade jewellery, books and craft supplies. There are also art studios and galleries, so the tenants are not all shops. What is open can vary by business, making a general wander different from a visit planned around one particular studio.
Cathedral Arcade and the upper floors
Start on the ground floor, where Cathedral Arcade has a stained-glass ceiling. The building’s interior is worth looking at as you move between floors: details include ornate gates and doors, corridors and restored vintage lifts. These features sit alongside the contemporary shops and creative workspaces.
Some galleries occupy upper floors. Caves, a small not-for-profit contemporary art gallery, is above Cathedral Arcade; its corner window looks out over Swanston Walk. The building’s layout can be confusing, so pay attention to signs and routes. One stairwell may not reconnect to the interior on the floor you expect.
Planning a visit
A visit can be as simple as looking around the architecture or can include browsing businesses and galleries. If you have a particular shop or studio in mind, check its own opening information before setting out. The building’s general access does not mean every tenant is open, and some studio spaces are private. Ask before entering.
A weekday visit is a sensible choice if browsing is the priority. One Sunday visit found most shops closed, so weekend access to individual businesses should not be assumed. Allow about an hour to explore the building, with more time if you plan to visit specific galleries or shops. The main entrance is at 37 Swanston Street, at the corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Lane.
Häufige Fragen
Where is the Nicholas Building?
The entrance is at 37 Swanston Street, Melbourne, near the corner of Flinders Lane.
What can you see inside the Nicholas Building?
Cathedral Arcade has a stained-glass ceiling, and the building has restored vintage lifts and historic interior details. Its floors also contain galleries, artist studios and independent businesses.
How long do you need at the Nicholas Building?
Allow about an hour to look around. A visit to particular shops, studios or galleries may take longer.
Are the shops open on Sundays?
Opening depends on each business. One Sunday visit found most shops closed, so check the hours of any specific place before going.
