REAL ESTATE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 251, 22 October 1926, Page 15

REAL ESTATE.

LAND AND BUILDINGS. ITEMS OF INTEREST. The face of Anzae Avenue ha« changed considerably during the last few weeks, and to-day several new buildings have taken definite shape, and the vacant spaces have been adorned with structures that are forerunners of the future prosperity of this locality. There is over £100,000 worth of building going on in Anzac Avenue at the present time, and from all indications, it will not be long before further structures are commenced. As it is there are only a few vacant sections in this popular part of the city, and men with an eye to the future afe getting in anl gaining possession of the land. The same* can apply to Beach Road, although the building going on there is not on such a large scale as in Anzac Avenue. There is little doubt that these two streets will command a deal of the business of the town, being, as they are, so closely situated to the railway and wharves. The handsome new eight-storey structure which has just been completed for Messrs. L. D. Nathan in Fort Street, presents a dignified appearance. The build-, ing has been finished in white plaster, and extends back to Shortland Street, where an entrance has been made. Little remains to be done to this building, and the firm will then move in. Special appointments as regards the offices have been made, while the remainder of the firm's activities will be carried out in the most modern manner.

Good progress is being made with tin new Town Hall building for the Henderson district. The structure will mark the really first modern building of any note to be erected there, and will fill a long-felt need. There was recently opened the Dominion Hall, on the corner of King Edward Street, Dominion Road. This hall has been specially appointed and equipped with a special dancing floor. The colour scheme has been carefully chosen, with attention to every detail which makes the hall an excellent rendezvous. The two shops which have been finished beneath the hall are a decided acquisition to that portion of the district. A considerable volume of new building work was undertaken in Onehunga during the six months ended September 30, although the figures show a decrease as compared with the corresponding period of last year. The total number of permits issued was 230 for buildings, of an estimated value of £63,781, against 210 and £76,127 for the six months of 1925. Included in the above totals for the half-year just ended were 5E> dwellings valued at £51,020, against 82 dwellings valued at £62,061 in the 1925 period. The average value of dwellings for which permits were issued this year was therefore £846 against £757 in 1925. This indicates that, if fewer homes are being built in Onehunga generally they are of better class. Buildings aggregating £8295 in value were authorised in September by the Heathcote County Council, Christchurch. The dwellings for which permits were taken out included one for Westenra Terrace, Cashmere, costing £1300, another in the same riding, the price for which is £950, and a third at Hillsboro', costing £975. For the six months ended September 30, the value cf the dwellings authorised wal £38,228, made up as follows: Avon £1290, Bromley £530, Hillsboro' £7014, Heathcote Valley £2785, Cashmere £25,556, and Mount Pleasant £105;j. Already this month two large housoa have been authorised, one costing £1700 at Cashmere Road, and one at Heathcote Valley, for £828. - A certain Wellington builder still has on his hands in one of the nearer suburbs a brand new cottage that is neither for sale nor to- let, nor again, is it occupied, for this is the place that was built in defiance of the city's bylaws as regards air space and clearance from other properties. There was a piece of vacant land at the back of some other properties, big enough for a cottage to be placed upon it, and not much more, but the council's officers said "No." The builder said "Yes," and the place went up. So far he had it all his own way, but the council then applied the closure, by refusing to permit the installation of such essential services as water and drainage. There have been cases of a similar kind in which builders have been ordered to pull such places down again, but whether a way out will be found in this case remains to be seen.