CITY IMPROVEMENTS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9817, 28 August 1897, Page 8

CITY IMPROVEMENTS.

A contract has just been let which, when completed, will have extinguished one of the oldest landmarks existing in Christchurch, namely, the Central Hotel, situated at the corner of Colombo and Gloucester streets. The front portion of the building is about thirty years old. It was first known as Tribe's Hotel, then it passed into the hands of Messrs Moir and Campbell, from whom, twenty-five years ago, it wu purchased by the present owner, Mr EL Hiorns. During his occupancy it has undergone improvement and enlargement, and now these additions are to be succeeded by a building of an up-to-date character, which will favourably compare with any of the structures that of late yean have been gradually taking the place ol primitive buildings. The new Central Hotel is to be constructed of brick and cement, with a basement, ground floor, and three stories. At the corner large cellars will be constructed 44ft by about 90ft, to which position the dive is to be removed, with the entrance in Gloucester street. On the ground floor there are to be two shops, 39ft by 17ffc 6in, with the public entrance to the hotel between them. The corner shop will have two large windows looking into Gloucester street. The private entrance to the hotel will bo in Gloucester street, 10ft wide, and tiled right through to lihe entrance in Colombo street. The private bar will be about 27ft by 18ft. The remaining portion of the ground floor will be taken up by sitting rooms. On the first floor are to be the kitchens, dining-room (39ft by 17ft) frouting Gloucester street, a large commercial room, and two ladies' sitting-rooms. On the second storey there are to be six double bedrooma, about twelve single bedrooms, and two bath rooms, and on the third storey fourteen bedrooms, lnostly double, and a bathroom. Communication with these upper storeye will b« by a wide and easy sfaircase from Glouceste, street. The present billiard room is to.br. divided, and a comfortable bar and one billiard table will be substituted. A verandah is to be built over the shops, and Bpeoially constructed at the entrance of the hotel. The ground floor rooms are to be 16ft high, and those upstairs lift or 12ft,•• Attention has been paid to the sanitation and lighting of the hotel. The architect is Mr J. C. Maddison, and the contracthae been let to Mr Bowen. During the alterations the business is to be carried on ill Gloucester street.