[officedweller]

Thanks for posting.

The arcade doesn't look as bad as I thought it would, since it's 2 storeys tall. It reminds me of the Main Post Office facade.
The brick does, however, look overbearing, especially in the red colour and with the thick transfer floor immediately above the arcade.
A lighter colour brick would probably work better (to reduce the noticeability of the disproportion between the thin columns and the heavy transfer beam above) - maybe the yellow brick that was rejected for 1 Kingsway?

Even the Lee Building breaks up the massing with colour changes.
There also needs to be some sort of column capital element, otherwise it looks too utilitarian.
Either that, or if they are going for a "modern" look - try wooden laminated columns or steel columns at funky angles.