STREET TRANSFORMATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 39, 15 February 1929, Page 10

STREET TRANSFORMATION.

BIG BUILDING PROGRAMME

HALF MILLION FOR WELLESLEY " STREET.

In the rapid transformation of Auckland streets round about the business portion, the most remarkable progress is that being made and to be made in Wellesley Street West. At one time it wae thought to be too steep for business sites, but the making of a good roadway of Albert Street has changed that point of view. Buildings now in hand, and others contemplated, represent a sum of about half a million sterling. Starting at the bottom there is "the fine new warehouse of Messrs. Smith and Caughey, now nearing completion. Across the way on the Civic Square site, there is to be an ornate new theatre. "The Civic," which will cost about £180,000. A block of ten shops is to be erected on the southern corner of Wellesley Street and Albert Street, at present used by the City Mission as a depot. Then the Shamrock Hotel is to have 20 rooms added, on quite up-to-date lines, with hot and cold water in every room, the system which is universal in* all the new hostelries in Europe.

At the northern corner of Wellesley Street and Albert Street the Ancient Order of Foresters is spending £55,000 on a new block, and putting the present building in unison. This block will include warehouse and office accommodation. Other buildings are contemplated in the street, but the plans have not yet matured. It is seldom that such a big sum of money is spent in one street practically at the same time. When the various buildings are finished the appearance of the thoroughfare will be quite changed.