First glimpse inside refurbished Campbell Arcade as it prepares to reopen for business

A famous Melbourne subway built in the lead-up to the city‘s 1956 Olympic Games is set to reopen for business after being shuttered for three years for Metro Tunnel construction. Take a peek inside.

A famous Melbourne subway has been refurbished and is now preparing to reopen for business following construction of the $15bn Metro Tunnel.

An expressions of interest process has begun for retailers to fill eight vacancies along Campbell Arcade, which is lined with pink-tiled curved walls and granite columns and was built in the lead-up to the Melbourne Olympic Games.

The refurbished arcade will welcome retailers back later this year when the Metro Tunnel starts taking passengers, and it will now connect Flinders Street Station to a new station next at the Town Hall.

The Campbell Arcade laneway under Melbourne’s CBD has been closed for three years. Picture: Mark Stewart

Some of the likely candidates for the coveted underground passageway will be from the arts or hospitality sector – but no food can be cooked in the spaces due to air ventilation requirements.

Described by Heritage Victoria as a “pink, chrome and terrazzo wonderland”, Campbell Arcade has connected Flinders Street Station to Degraves St since 1955.

The new Town Hall station link will enter the arcade through a former ticket booking office.

Transport Infrastructure Minister Gabrielle Williams said the space had been refurbished while it was closed to the public.

Campbell Arcade was built in the lead-up to the Melbourne Olympic Games. Picture: Mark Stewart

The arcade has connected Flinders Street Station to Degraves St since 1955. Picture: Mark Stewart

“It will be fantastic to see businesses return to Campbell Arcade – an important part of Melbourne’s history that we have invested in upgrading as part of the Metro Tunnel Project,” she said.

“The Metro Tunnel will allow people to catch a train to Parkville and St Kilda Road for the first time, helping more people get to where they need to go.”

Some of the work on the arcade includes repair works to the ceiling and lighting, restoring pink-tiled shop fronts and display cases, and cleaning away grime and graffiti.

Senior Project Engineer George Serafim with colleagues Cathrin Essa and Sacheen Paramesh in the Campbell Arcade. Picture: Mark Stewart

Campbell Arcade was the first major public construction project in Melbourne after World War II and was listed on the state’s heritage register in 2015.

Previous tenants will be encouraged to apply through the expressions of interest process to pick up where they left off, with applicants directed to metrotrains.com.au/corporate/campbell-arcade-tenancies.

The government has promised trains will run this year, but is yet to announce a date it expects operations to begin. Picture: Mark Stewart

The government has promised trains will run this year, but is yet to announce a date it expects operations to begin.

It says works are now progressing well on the fit out of Town Hall Station, which had been bogged down by delays along with the other CBD station at the State Library.

Both city stations are more than 30m underground, which has created construction challenges.

Five new stations will be opened once the 9km rail line is opened, including at St Kilda Rd near the Shrine of Remembrance, Parkville, and Arden.