IMPROVEMENTS, VICTORIA STREET.

Auckland Star, Volume XII, Issue 3353, 26 April 1881, Page 2

IMPROVEMENTS, VICTORIA STREET.

It ia a singular fact that until a very recent date, Victoria-street, which may be considered the most important outlet from the city on the western side, has been even less progressive than other streets so far as improvements are concerned. This state ol things will, however, not be allowed to continue, ilaudsomc brick buildings have just been completed near to the Theatre, aud arc now occupied by Messrs Holdsworth, bootmaker, aud Fowler Brothers, plumbers. Two other wooden shops of two storeys each arc now being erected between llobson and Nelson Btreets for Mr Joseph Williams, tailor, and they will shortly be ready for occupation. The most important improvement is, however, the block of buildings in course of construction at the corner of Victoria and Hobson streets, opposite the Old House at Home Hotel. They are built for Captain F. Amodeo, the worthy skipper of the Rowena, from plans prepared by Mr Wade, architect, There will t>e four brick shops and dwelling-houses facing Victoria-street, aud the corner one will turn into Hobson-street, where the private entrtnee will be. The style of architecture will be Italian, with the frontnmunted with a main cornice and parapet blockings. Each building will be two storeys high, with a shop and sitting-room below and three bed-rooms on the first floor. The length of the frontage to Victoria-street is 57 feet, by 39 feet deep, and the whole frontage space alloted to each shop will consist of a show front. The backs and fronts will be cemented, and the roofing will be of slate. Only ground scoria mortar is being used in the construction of the building?. Mr G. Rhodes is the contractor for the work, which will cost £1,410. It is expected that the shops will be ready for occupation three months hence. It is an interesting fact that some of the shops arc already let, while applications have beeu received for the occupancy of the others.