THE MARKET SQUARE BUILDINGS.

Press, Volume XLIII, Issue 6370, 18 February 1886, Page 2

THE MARKET SQUARE BUILDINGS.

iTh* following is a copy of the accompanying Mr Lambert's design:— *_ In response to your invitation for de* it". S signs for a block of buildings to cover the |tJ I ground shown on plan furnished by yon,'» 1 with frontages on victoria street, Armagh S[ | street, and Oxford terrace. I have ths ffl | honor to. submit herewith the accompany- 1 fi ing. plans, elevations, and sections for £ | lyour favorable consideration, consisting *? I' —No. 1, ground plan and $ i Victoria street; No. 2, first and seocnf f "i floor plans on Victoria Btoeaj_,.. Mo. 8, I ground plan and elevation on Aimsgh steeet; No. 4, first and second floor plans , on Armagh street; No. 5, ground plan and il 'elevation on Oxford terrace, also block - •plan of ground and section, E.F., on -' •Oxford terrace j No. 6, first and seoond (flwr plans on Oxford terrace; also trass-i-.-Sferse sections, CD., Armagh street; also WansvOTse sections, A.8., part of baok v 1 ilevation on Victoria street. In sub. - fkviding the section into suitable plots the ' i Strictest economy has been observed, con- . > |sistent with modern accommodation sad ■ Requirements, but the configuration of tho : 'ground, tho acute angles at the corners, i and the conditions that they must be - [»i arranged that "the backs of all the , (buildings shown on the above frontages - ' ban be approached by carts," this baa ! necessarily made the plots fcr the corner . Idfiloes and corner shops somewhat larger - than they .might otherwise have been, • *]but on account of the excellent situation i ht both of the Victoria street shop and , 1 Ifcheir peculiar form, giving abundant - jwindow show, with a moderate amount cf ' f&oor area, it is just possible that they i |w_i actually be found nothing too large for - rtihe class of business. The Bites which would ' i Oommand the Other frontages on Victoria ' streefe have been set out at various depths,:, and at 18ft, with the exception of the centre ; &ne, which is 80ft frontege. This wiU «ive a clear width of 16ft 6iu and 28ft 6in -: jfespectively. The former bus is now . Allowed to be the proper standard width ' for general shops, so as to have sufficient - tcoom for show, working, and customer ', "accommodation, and the latter ia a fair

/Width for a medium-sized diaper's or josiEiner's busine—. %. The right-of-way has been placed aentrally on Armagh street and -Oxford terra cc, being 10ft -wide in the clear, and Built over as shown on block plan. \% The frontages on the above streets are set off for offices for various businesses and,. professions, chiefly barristers and solicitors, being peculiarly adapted for them db account of their proximity to the Government ; Buildings, Supreme and Magistrate's Courts; also for other kindred g_d concomitant businesses. There are a fariety of frontages, so as to embrace mors or less accommodation, but the chief offices. will be at the junction of Armagh street and Oxford terrace. This will be an exceptionally good ait?, admirably adapted for a large'barrister's and solicitor's nrn . ' from its locality and commanding position, and is specially arranged for such requirements.

; la designing the buildings, the situation, Burroundings, purposes, require- , 'meats, climate, and liability to earth'quakes, have been duly taken into iconsideration in the fullest manner. The fatyle of architecture that has been adopted lis of an Italian character, freely treated fto suit requirements, being eminently if suitable for such structures, and poeaeesiag ; ornate features,, with effective light sad i shade. Ornament baa been minimised so fas to meet the general and popular teste ! and keep down the expense, co that the usual complaint of costly buildings may apply in this cast*, or deter intending tenants taking up the plots for building - purposes. On tho Victoria street frontage tits piers are only 18in wide, so as to give tbe greatest possible amount of window shew consistent with stability. The piers are plain, of blueetone, and the openings are spanned with two rolled Iron beams in each case, those over the largest being _16m deep, while those over the others will belOia deep. On the other facades the ground floor elevations are rusticated*. being the most consistent, inexpensive, ana effective. The pilasters are not only in- . tended for relief, but also in many to form buttresses to strengthen the The Corporation building by-laws h&Majjfr been strictly observed in designing tbe-'ffl* bandings, and tbe 14-inch walls have been continued up to the parapet on second floor on account «f being party-walls. Thee© in almost every case contain chimneys, and are continued in 9-in up through and above roof, with coping in each case, so as to prevent flre spreading, aad oonflne it to the one ia which it originated. Jibe righto-of-ways are also arched over in brick for fire preTontiwa. The front and hew

§ tesss^ ———=—=a —s=1e —5S f -vrils-are. lain -thick on second floor, to - for- w_otfwß* «HbOiemi-eircn—r f arch has been adopted throughout the ?■ _ frontages, being the strongest and most ? / suitable for withstanding shocks of earth- ' I quake. The window and door openings on _£■ Armagh street and Oxford terrace have the % external angles converted into internal * ones for light and shade, and to step the f, imports. These windows are protected ;.' from weather by the cornice above them, "J and those on the first floor have pedi- : ment hoods for the same purpose, \ while those on the second "floor wUI be sheltered by the mam cornice, which I profits Ift IQIn. They have a deep I moulding, also for ahelt— asd to give relief. 'The cornice is bracketed, and the parapet is left plain, lest it should be required by tenants for lettering, especially on the Victoria steeet facade, where it .will be required, instead of the very objectionable and varied for—s of sign- -. boards on verandahs. If it is considered advisable to pierce a -portion of tiie parapet, this can be done at email cost. An iron verandah extends the entire length of the Victoria street frontage, and returned at both ends, as shown. This will be according to the Corporation standard. Verandah dimensions, except ss regards brackets, on account of being 18ft centres. Brackets are necessary for the sake of appearance. This will be secured, glazed aad flashed in the most approved manner. The shop fronts are calculated for i-in plate glass. The sashes and doors will be of Baltic or kmri. A block #f concrete will form the doorstep. Als> a suitable foundation to carry fronts. The foundations will be to the depths given On plan supplied of dimensions shown, en sections of concrete, composed of five puts clean shingle, two of sharp sand, and one of best Portland cement, with rabble coring of the mast approved r portion, carefully bedded and bonded, proper damp course will be provided for all walls etc, of asphalte. jThe walls wiU be built of hard burnt nricks, with best mortar, and pointed in cement. The walls throughout will have chain bond at intervals, and patent hoopiron usedfreely. All openings, where there iSQO arch, will be spanned with rolled iron beams, The plinth will be of blue stone, also the piers of shop fronts. The timber throughout will be colonial, except for Bashes and external doors, which will be of Baltic deal; all wall plates and sleeper plates of heart of totara; all ground fbor joists to be heart of matai; first and second floor joists, 12in by £in remu; and principal rafters and tie beams, 10in by _a, as shown in sections, with bolts and a enmciehcy of straps, Ac.; purlins, 6in by Srof placed ai shown, and close boarded ' with I—..boards. The gutters to be formed of 61b milled lead, of so— ient width, iv the most approved manner, and the roofs esvsred with 26 guage best brand galvanised iron-and lead-edged ridging. The floors wiU be pugged throughout, as also the stairs,for sound and fire prevent'oi. The follow—g are the particulars of the buildings on the different plots, No. 1 . having a frontage ef 74ft on Victoria street and 74ft on Armagh steeet. This I wander would be 8-itable for an ironmonger's or hardware business. The shop Has a floor area of 970 ft, with back and n|e entrance, with staircase ascend—g to first floor. All the shops throughout have Stffc ceilings. On first floor the ceiling height is lift, as also on second floor. The rooms having fireplaces can be used for show rooms or living rooms. W.C. aoeommodation ia provided on the ground floor. Large doors are placed on each floor over back door, with beam for hoisting upgoedfi to floors. No. 2 has a frontage of life-, by 28ft in depth, with staircase, having closet under same, and back door, and a—replace on each floor, and would be suitable for a general business. No. 3 is of similar dimensions, and alike in every other respect except the closet accommodation. { this is provided on each floor. No. 4 has a frontage of 18ft by 38ft ia depth. It is fimilar to the last mentioned in every other respect. Me. 5 has a frontage of 80ft by 48ft in depth. This is intended for a double shop; suitable for a draper's or millinery business, the having each four firep_i—usre..suitable:fcr show rooms and & workrooms respectively, or they are susf esn&h— of be—g subdivided to meet re- - m o_3rementa for living rooms, and are pro_H vlied with W.C. on each floor. No. 6 has |P a frontage of 18ft by 48ft in depth, and is |f? intended for a jeweller's business, having ifl.a strong-room on ground and first floor, S and closet; aoeommodation on second floor. IS The roomb over,- having each : two fire-. $g£ places, are suitable for workshops or living' _tXßoma, or both. No. 7 corresponds with' jg _S last, except there is no strong-room, ft bat closet accommodation on each floor. _j • No. 8 is similar to the last, but only 38ft In || depth. No. 9 is the largest and best j5 shop on the block, having a frontage i\ of 40ft on 'Victoria street to boun2#4sry point, and 6ft 9in on Oxford £ terrace, aad having a floor area of about % SUWt This ia arranged for a draper's 1 %- shop, and is eminently adapted for this 'a. purpose. The staircase is of an orna- ; 3 mantel character, situated in middle of •| shdfv -easy going, and suitable for ladies % inching the showrooms on first and » second floors. There is a strongroom, J lavatory, and closet accommodation for S- hsthssxes, and lady visitors' offices. On \. Oettoti terrace tbe. frontage is sub-divided £ intefiotß for effioes, A having a frontage. 2 c* ; 4_t by a depth of »6£t—dimensions ..shown on plans; also having a strong--room to' each suite, lavatories, and W. C. "-aad back door. The height of ceilings throughout the offices are respectively 13ft, _ Ascesdingbyaßubstantisl i eutpgomg staircase we reach the floors. |. ~- On firataad second floor the half of rightV *"~*J frontage is connected with the back >V **e_■, making three rooms in the suite ; also on both floors and lavatories are closets, as also strong rooms to each suite cf offices. Bhae a .frontage and depth same as the former, only tbe rooma over right-of-way on first and second floors are connected with the front offices, otherwise they are at—aeft—toilar in other respects. C, haya frontage on Oxford terrace of 60ft 9in to bounaary point, and 60ft',9in on Armagh street. The entrance is on this steeet by an Bft balL On the left is a public room connected with clerk's office, and screen partitioning off the principal room with strong room. On the right of - haU is a large room, which could be occupied by chief clerk or a partner, or let separately; it contains a large strong _ room and stationery closet. On this floor are also a lavatory, two W.C.s, urinal, gas meter closet, &c., and back door. Ascend—g by an ornament— easy-going staircase, the first and second floors are reached, which are similar te those below, but are capable of further; subdivisions to suit requirements. On the landings of staircases are closets, &c, Basilar to those below, also a glass screes, on landings, giving light to staircases and conveniences, and the enclosed space, act»g as a ventilating shaft. Continued up t&roeglt the roof on both no—s are' lavatories, &c. Offices D occupy a front_t* of 78ft 6in on* Armagh street, by a oggthof 86ft, and are designed for four nucßot offices on each floor, being three wthefwat, aad three lighted from lack, yk back door, &c. Bach suite has a ■_■_•§_*»«. There is also a lavatory •e*W,C. on each floor. An. extra room MOot—Bed on first and second floors on ftoat of building over right-of-way. This nock, being large, ia designed in one, so ** to get a variety of rooms and save another hall and staircase. It is not sufficient for two plots, and fully large for one, but no doubt it would suit some businesses as arranged, as the author has endeavored to get as great a variety of rooms, dimensions and arrsngemeats to meet the different business requirements. Offices E have a frontage * oi —ft by a depth of 86ft, and are det- signed for six suit— cf effices, also an t extra room on each floor at back over rightX of-way, every suite having a strong room, also lavatory and W.C. on each floori Offices F have a frontage cf 25ft 6in by 28ft depth, and are arranged as a selfcontained business, or three suites, having —oaete, lavatories, &c, also back door to | 3_wd» as also all others throughout the; t *_** * aca can h° eerily approached byi *, carts, and all buildings have conveniences! J I ptacod within them complete, *"d ! neoNs to the open area on court yard, \ wwaid beg most respectfully to suggest'

, tSit s>_well : be sunk to~^-low^strats| ■ IS^elP-tonli stand, and a ram to fill them| so as to supply the various tenementn with water, and also t> flush the vsteif , Closets, Ac, in the meantime ffil a wate_| supply is provided for the city, as til* i tanks —Quid be placed somewhat highefj than the buildings, being under The water would be useful for extinguish-] : ing a fire in its incipient stages. A hydrant! and hose would be provided for that pur| LlMse, placed conveniently in each building J The. stand and tanks could be made tol form a feature by enclosing them with! ornamental roof. .The prices stated here-| after in estimate of cost would include this] work pro rata if the plots are taken I The strong-room doors are calculated fori fire-res—ting ones, and all strong rooms* are properly ventilated and gas laid on. All the plumber work throughout lavatories, water-closets, urinals, and general sanitary plumbing will embrace all the latest improvements, and is calculated for first-elsss work. Provision will be made for ventilating each room throughout in the most approved manner, and all sashes being double hung. Gas pipes are included in estimate, laid on throughout. The BtoYea will be slow combustion, and the mantelpieces are calculated for slate, and generally the work is intended for the best of their respective kinds. The estimate has been arrived at by taking out quantities as near as possible without farther details and specifications. These will be supplied at once if required, arrived at as follows, the stone being Canterbury limestone:—To brick and, compo front complete, average price off block per foot, £55 ss; brick and etonef facings only, and tuck pointed brickwork! per foot, £56 183; brick and faced withf stone, nowhere less than 4in thick, per footj £58 10s. 1

I have no doubt but that if any of them! i were put in the m_Jket at the present timef the tenders would be considerably underS these amounts. I have no objections td| tho! designs being exhibited, but exceed-l icgjty regret their somewhat unfinisheof state through the indisposition of tho author. ..»—..'* —— •»».*—s<