Grand Arcade, Cambridge: Building Survey

Abstract

As part of the archaeological programme ahead of development of the Grand Arcade in Cambridge a detailed record of the standing buildings on the site was made between November 2004 and April 2006. Over 100 roofed structural entities were identified, although not all of these can be considered buildings in their own right. In addition to the St. Andrew's Street frontage, nine further significant structures were been identified, some of these being survivals of Robert Sayle development and expansion, others older or on non-Sayle plots. The oldest surviving fabric belonged to the early 18th century, one-third of the structures were 19th century in date and just less than two-thirds were 20th century. The Robert Sayle main store, occupying a significant proportion of the site, was found to have been built using the then most modern of construction techniques.