AUCKLAND'S BUILDING TRADE

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 151, 26 June 1907, Page 3

AUCKLAND'S BUILDING TRADE

A THRIVING INDUSTRY. Attention was drafvn in yesterday's issue of the "Star" to several of the large buildings now in course of erection in the city and suburbs. In the present article will be found brief descriptions of a few other structures, many of which present a strik ngand pleasing appearance, which reflects great credit on the architects and builders. QUEEN-STREET. A fine six-storey building is being constructed for Mr Dadley, in Queen-street, just next to that gentleman's present premises. On the completion of the first portion, Mr Dadley will immediately occupy it, leaving the old building to be replaced by the other half of the new. There will thus be space available on the ground floor for two large shops and one small one. The remaining floors are to be devoted to offices, etc., a large central area being reserved to afford light. Two electric lifts will be provided—one for goods and the other for passenger traffic. Strong rooms are to be fitted up on each floor. Pending the installation of electricity in the town, gas will be used for lighting purposes. As the whole building —walls, floors, staircases, etc.—is to be constructed of ferro-concrete, the risk of fire is reduced to a minimum. The designing architect is Mr J. Mitchell. The building, which will be out of the contractors' hands by the end of September next, should cost something like f 10,000. ELLIOTT-STREET. On glancing up Darby-street "from Queen-street, an imposing four-storey building in course of erection, meets the eye. This block is being constructed . for Messrs. Ross and Glendining, and was I designed by Mr J. Currie. It extends I along Elliott-street a distance of 78 feet i and back to Albert-street, 220 feet. A pleasing effect will be produced by the : brick and stucco work on the Elliott- ! street front, which is to be lavishly furnished with very large windows. A pair of electric lifts will be provided. Iron columns and steel girders have been used | throughout in the construction. The i ground floor is to be devoted mainly to offices, while the others will be used for > genertl warehouse purposes. The contractors should complete their eno-aoe- , merit in about two months' time. With' ; fittings, the total cost will amount to > nearly £30,000. Adjoining the last-mentioneij building, , we find yet another under construction, i This is being erected for Messrs. R. H. Abbott and Co., and was designed jointly , by Messrs. Walker and Morren. It is to J consist of three storeys, and covers an ) area of 90 feet (on Elliott-street) by * 216 feet. The materials in use in construction are brick and plaster. The [ building will be used as a warehouse, and > is to be furnished with a goods lift and ■ other up-to-date appliances. An estimate places the date of completion at about one month hence, the cost (actual con- • struction only) being about £7000. SWANSON-STREET. A five-storey building iv Swanson-street •■ -for. Mr. Maeky - will-be. completed in about ; three months' time. This building will be entirely subdivided into offices for leasing purposes, and -will contain many modern improvements, including lift, etc. It is being constructed of ferro-concrete, and will cost over £4000. The architect for the structure was Mr. Rosegger, and for the building, Mr. Mitchell. QUAY-STREET. The Ferro-Concrete Company is also constructing a large gum store and general warehouse for Messrs. Lichenstein and Arnoldson in Quay-street, adjoining Endean's buildings. The block will consist of five storeys and basement, and will be fitted up with lifts and large ferroconcrete staircases. It is to be completed in four weeks' time, and will cost about £4500. The plans were prepared by Mr. J. Currie. HIGH-STREET. The re-erection of Messrs. T. and S. Morrin's premises in High-street for Messrs. Abbott, Eheebone, and Jones, is being rapidly proceeded with. Portion of the old building has been used in the construction works, but the new block -will consist of three storeys, containing warehouses, sample rooms, lifts, etc. Tho materials in use are brick and plaster. Mr. Morrin, the architect for this work, estimates that the building will be completed within two months, and that the' cost will be about £10,000. VICTORIA-STREET. A fine five-storey structure in brick and cement is at present in course of erection at the corner of Victoria-street East and Lome-street for Messrs. Thomas , Bros. This block will be known as the "Victoria Buildings," and will present a very handsome appearance when completed. It occupies an area of 55ft by 77ft. The whole block will be fitted up with offices for leasing, and will possess all the latest improvements, such as liiti, electric light, etc. The estimated cost is £5300, and the contractor should finish the work by the end of three months. The designing architect was Mr. E. Bartley. <_OBURG-STREE_. The construction of the Working Men's Club and Athenaeum in this street will shortly be taken in hand. The plans, which have been prepared by Mr. Mahoney, show that the building will consist of two storeys, with a basement at the back, and will have a frontage tg, Coburg-street of 69ft, tlie depth back to Coburg-place being 72ft. The ground floor will contain the offices, a billiardroom, and a reception-room. The upper floor is occupied by a large social hall (65ft by 40ft), reading-room, library, chess-room, ladies-room, etc., together with a few bedrooms. The building is \ to be constructed of brick and cement, with plaster finishings inside, and will be fitted with handsome steel ceilings. It should be completed in about five months, € the excavation works for the basement having already been commenced. CUSTOMS-STREET. Anojbher building in this street, adjacent to that of Messrs. Jagusch and Co. (already mentioned), is to be constructed almost immediately. This block will be divided into three portions, the first owned by Messrs. Abbott, the second by Mr. Grove, and the third by Mr. Messenger. The whole will consist of four stoieys, including a basement, while part of the ground floor will be below the street leveL Brick and plaster will be used in the construction. The portion at tbe corner of Cusoms and Hooson streets will be taken over by the Auckland Electric Tramway Company, for use a-i offices, etc Tie other two will be ,

used as warehouses by fruit znereha lis. Three goods lifts will be provided. The construction, works should be comple.ii by €be end of the year, and the total cost will be about £5000. The plans are in preparation by Mr. Morrin. GREAT NORTH-ROAD. The trustees of Probert's Estate are erecting a large . block of buildings at the corner of Newton and Great North roads. The ( work is being done iv brick and cement, and will be finished in about four months from this date. Ten shops will occupy the whole length of the block, measuring 190 ft on the Great North-road frontage. Living accommodation will be provided on the upper floor. A large bakehouse. 50ft square, is m building at the back. The work, which will cost about £11,000, will be completed in four months' time. The plans were prepared by Mr. A. H. White.