This weekend, elements of the structure  -- which commemorated a visit of Queen Victoria to the city -- will be recreated, but this time in cardboard, only to be torn down again on Sunday.
It is one in a series of public art projects worldwide, but those responsible for bringing it to Dundee say, with so much change in the city, this is a good time to examine the past.
"This is the second time this area has been redeveloped in living memory," says Claire Dow, producer of the People's Tower: Dundee's Royal Arch.
"It's only 50 years since this whole area was changed with the Tay Road Bridge and now it's being changed again so I think for Dundee it's a good moment to think about the buildings that aren't there anymore, the buildings that are currently being built and all that architectural heritage."
In a workshop not far from the city's waterfront preparations have been taking place for the event.
Masking tape and cardboard boxes might not seem like obvious materials to recreate a grand archway, but 1,200 flat pack boxes are being taped into about 40 different shapes and then they will be put together on the waterfront close to its original position, using help from volunteers and passers by.
"Because I'm from Dundee I know how important the arch was," says architecture student, Michelle Hunt who is helping with the preparations.
"My parents have spoken about where it was originally and how it was almost devastation when it was knocked down and how they really regret it."
She decided to stay and study in Dundee partly because, with the development at the city's waterfront, there is just so much going on architecture-wise.
The team bringing the project to Dundee is led by French artist Olivier Grossetete.
His People's Towers have been completed all over world, from Australia to Sweden, from Taiwan to Mexico, Moscow and now Dundee.
"The entire project is about the participation of the people and the participation of the audience," says Dirk D'hondt who is part of the team.
" It's the people's tower, proof that if you really want something, you can do it."
As for knocking it down again, because it is made of cardboard it would not last too long anyway and it is safer for it to be demolished like this.
"It's part of life I guess," adds Mr D'hondt "the knocking down is good fun for the kids, knocking it down and then dancing on it. They love it."
Down at the waterfront, plaques in the pavement mark where the Royal Arch once stood. The cardboard structure is to be close by and will reach the size of a four-storey house. The organisers are looking for public help to build it.
"It's a simple building system," says Claire Dow "where you stick some boxes together and you lift them and shunt some underneath." That is then repeated, as the structure rises up.
"But of course as that gets bigger and bigger and bigger," she continues "you need more and more people to help lift so the shunting and the taping can happen."
For her, it is that idea of a shared experience that is the real draw and because it is about the Royal Arch it is something she says which is "very much about Dundee".

Police were called to the vessel near Wroxham Island, on Wroxham Broad, at about 16:00 BST after concerns were raised about the length of time it had not moved.
Officers found the two people and the dog and have started an inquiry into their deaths.
Norfolk Police said the deaths are being treated as unexplained.
Police have sealed the site while officers from Great Yarmouth CID conduct investigations.

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Salford, who have also been charged for improper conduct, won the match 26-24.
However, after the game, winger Justin Carney and centre Junior S'au were pictured in heated exchanges with fans as they tried to protect their children in the crowd at John Smith's Stadium.
A flare was reportedly thrown in the Salford end moments before the trouble.
The Red Devils did apologise for the actions of their fans, while owner Marwan Koukash promised to act against the fans involved.
An independent tribunal will hear the case, with a hearing date set for either late June or July.
To this day, some in Dundee still lament the decision to demolish the city's Royal Arch as part of developments around the Tay Road Bridge in the 1960s.
[NEXT_CONCEPT]
Two people and a dog have been found dead on a boat moored on the Norfolk Broads.
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Salford Red Devils have been charged by the Rugby Football League for the misconduct of their supporters at Huddersfield Giants on 28 March.