Architect-led tour of Queen's Arcade EHOD 2026

The Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA) invites you to attend an architect-led tour of Queen's Arcade in Belfast at 10am on Saturday 12 September 2026. The tour will be delivered by conservation architect, James Grieve. There is no charge to attend, but pre-booking is essential.

Queen's Arcade is the last remaining Victorian arcade in the city of Belfast. Designed by the architect James McKinnon and brought to life in 1880, the building was later described as "at once fashionable as a promenade and highly attractive as a business thoroughfare", containing "upwards of thirty finely fitted shops".

The building is not only an important thoroughfare but has a rich history entwined with some of Belfast's leading citizens, including Sir Otto Jaffe and Dr James McDonnell.

The history of Queen's Arcade and the associated Donegall Place building charts the historical shifts in use of Belfast city centre, from pre-1880 Victorian offices and warehouses, to the development of restaurants and shops, to the expansion and formal installation of an elaborate high Victorian arcade.

In its 120-year history, Queen's Arcade has undergone two restorations, one in the 1935 carried out by Hobart & Heron Architects, and another in 2019. After many years in planning, with a team of specialist conservation architects and designers, the grand old building has been restored back to its 19th century former glory. 120 years since it was born, Queen's Arcade remains one of Belfast's signature landmarks.