"THE BOULEVARD."

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 257, 30 October 1929, Page 8

"THE BOULEVARD."

AUCKLAND FURTHER ADVANCES. NEW SHOPPING CENTRE. COMPLETION OF QUEEN'S ARCADE. Without an equal in the Dominion aiid 210 superior in Australasia, the Queen's Arcade, which is now completed, is another indication, if any were to show the march of progress which .has been characteristic of Auckland .city for some years past. Queen's Arcade, which extends from Queen Street round the inner boundary of Dilworth, Building to Customs Street, occupies a site .which has many advantages not often offering, and realising this, Davis Properties, Ltd. and Queens Arcade, Ltd., the joint owners, in mapping out plans for the arcade, saw to it that whatever was decided upon was worthy, not only of the position, but of Auckland itself. From botli Queen and Customs Streets —undoubtedly the busiest corner in the city—tht entrances to the arcade are very fine, and the main passageway from Queen Street is to be known as "The Boulevard," while the second storey of the arcade, with its handsome wrought iron gallery, will be "The Promenade." On the ground floor the entrance extends to 165 ft and then breaks at right angSes to Custoivs Street, a distance of 110 ft. The passageway is 16ft wide, and on the ground floor are 35 shops, 24 in the Queen Street portion and 11 in the Cus-, toms Street entrance. They vary in size from 12ft Gin.to 20ft frontage, and all have a depth of 25ft.

The arcade above, that is the first floor, covers a similar area, but here the shops number 26, all of a neat and similar design to those on the ground floor. The structure was originally, two buildings with a solid dividing wall, and one of the features of the work necessary; to erect the arcade was the cutting out of the wall without affecting the second and third storeys. Beautifullv polished shop fronts of Whangarei marble, similarly finished woods, and tastefully sbt out displays by the tenants of the shops, give .the whple arcade a very distinctive tone and smart appearance, and without question it will become a popular promenade with shoppers. The lighting is excellent for both day night. In addition shoppers in tta arcade'escape the noise of the trams and motors, and, incidentally, dust.' Just 1 as Sydney shoppers point to their arcade from George Street to Castlereagh Street, with equal pride Aucklanders will point to Queen's Arcade. It might fittingly be described as select.