Burlington Arcade is a covered shopping arcade in the City of Westminster, England, United Kingdom. It is long, parallel to and east of Bond Street from Piccadilly to Burlington Gardens. It is a precursor to the mid-19th-century European shopping gallery and the world's first modern shopping mall. It is near the similar Piccadilly Arcade.
The arcade was built in 1818 to the order of George Cavendish, 1st Earl of Burlington, on what had been the side garden of the adjacent Burlington House. His older brother, William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire, who had inherited of the house, was reputed to prevent passers-by throwing oyster shells and other rubbish over the wall of his home. Architect Samuel Ware designed it. However, it was also said to have been built so the Lord's wife could shop safely amongst other genteel ladies and gentlemen away from London's busy, dirty, and crime-ridden open streets.
The present tenants include a range of clothing, footwear, and accessory shops, art and antique dealers, and the jewellers and dealers in antique silver for which the Arcade is best known.
Historical events
thumb|Piccadilly entrance to the Burlington Arcade in 1827–28
The arcade was almost destroyed by fire in 1836, when several shops were destroyed, in 1871, and in 1936, when the arcade was subject to looting.
In 1964, a Jaguar Mark X charged down the arcade, scattering pedestrians, and six masked men leapt out, smashed the windows of the Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Association shop, and stole jewellery valued at £35,000. They were never caught. Gates were installed to prevent this from happening again.
In 2010, Thor Equities and Meyer Bergman acquired the property for £104 million. The owners hired architect Michael Blair to restore the arcade.
In May 2018, the property was sold to David and Simon Reuben for £300 million.
See also
- Burlington Bertie
- Royal Arcade, London
- Piccadilly Arcade
- Kensington Arcade
- Sicilian Avenue
- Woburn Walk
- Leadenhall Market