Arcade- Independence Square
From an Asylum to Luxury Arcade
The Arcade – Independence Square is a spectrum of historic colonial era buildings given the touch of the modern refurbishments to preserve the past by the touch of the present. The structure is a manifestation of its kind that portrays its serenity through its while walls and green pastures during the day and flamboyance during the nights due to the striking illuminations.
Brief History
The building was historically known as the Jawatta Lunatic Asylum or the Cinnamon Gardens Asylum build during the late 19th century. Governor, Sir William Gregory decided to build an asylum to replace the existing facility in Borella during 1875 which was delays due to hullabaloos of location and design structure. Thereafter Sir James Longdon who was appointed as the new governor completed the structure by 1889 that had a capacity to hold atleast 400 patients. The building was a simple structure for the time with least ornamental decorations except for the tower that housed a clock at the forefront.
Although the obvious being stated, the quality of the building in terms of materials, structure, and its elegant design was explicitly ornamental for a two storey building which lasted over a century with the least maintenance.
However, with time, due to the inability to cater to the enormous influx of patients, another facility was constructed at Angoda to facilitate the transfer of all these patients to the new asylum.
Henceforth, the building has been through several institutions, occupied by the Public Administration Department, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), the Auditor General’s Department and later the Government Analyst’s Department. Thereafter, the building was neglected bringing it to a standstill eerie asylum mansion.
Thereafter in 2012, through the agency of the Urban Redevelopment Project, the place was brought back to life with a glamorous and opulent structure and land scape with the help of the armed forces. Luxury was orchestrated through the use of new technology, lightings, flooring and fountains shopping complexes with various brands, modern eateries and so much more.
Shoppers Delight
On entering the locations, the Arcade greets with its pristine white colonial building with the green landscape that emits an aura of relaxation. Inside the building, one would still feel the presence of the old structure as if in a dimension between the old and the future due to the antique type lamp shades and furniture that envelopes one with the impression of the past and the modern lightings, glass doors and other amenities that emanate a futuristic dimension.
For those who have a knack to spend for quality and brands names, this place is a shopper delight with some of the high-end brands stores housed within. One would find a range of products from watches and electronics to clothing, jewellery, handcraft, sports equipment and so much more.
Other thing to do
Dine in-After the lounging within, you can pamper yourself with some fine dining too.
Watch a movie- Arcade- Independence Square also roofs the Ceylon Theatre’s Empire Cineplex for entertainment and adds to the number of ways one can enjoy at the Arcade.
Chill and Relax- If you are not the kind who wants to hang out in crowded malls, this place also has some interesting artefacts, sculptures, water fountains and green lawns & natural landscapes.
Glass top tanks with colourful ornamental fish
The Arcade – Independence Square without doubt is a splendid place in an immaculate location at the heart of Colombo, uniquely designed for getaways for people of all ages, entertainment, shopping, leisure, dining, all-in-one place. The portfolio of world-famous brands at the Arcade is a crowd puller along with its reminiscence of the old architecture. Be it day or night, the arcade has tonnes to offer to keep your body and soul occupied and mesmerised.
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How to reach
The tower is about 35 Km from the Bandaranaike International Airport and can take an hour to reach during busy hours.
The location is easily accessible either by the local busses that frequent the place every 5 minutes or a cab too would be of ease.