ENORMOUS DEMAND FOR FLATS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16701, 9 December 1919, Page 9

ENORMOUS DEMAND FOR FLATS.

.NEGLECTED. ■'"Tho scarcity of houses and the acuto domestic help problem have placed a premium on flats, and in every city throughout the world hundreds of people have turned towards them in preference to maintaining a house and coping with all the countlcss cares and worries that coivtributo to the upkeep of somcUiing wlurh, after all. is an ever-increas-ing expense and a continuous grind of work and trouble." Thc.se were the remark?, ot Air V. M. TJoebo when interviewed at h:s offic<\ W Hereford street, yoiterday by a '"Press'' reporter, in reference i-> a project which he has in hand for bunding up-to-d-ito iei;deattal Hats in Christchurcl:. "Thoro is uotl'inr: unu«unl in the enormous demand for tints," continued Mr l.i f'iie, pi:■ 1 tiicn i- nothing exper;. mental in thoir building. The only wonder in niv mind is that Citristchurcn has boon neglect«xl tor -o long. Flats aTC a huco Rijocew elsewhere, and thry will be equally sucecfstul in Christchurch. I reailv do not think that thero is a 'flat building' in any part of tlio world that, doe« not i>ay a liandsome return on the money invested, and the first peoplo to supply the 'real thing' in Christchuroh will reap a rich reward for enterpnso. Ever since I first conceived tho ide,i, a fc*w weeks ago, of buildinc flats in Christ church, 1 liave U.fn absohttely Mvimjied with npplirations from tenants, and I do not think thr.t one could find a sound°r or more profitable investment at the present time. "At first it was my intention to float a company with a large capitnl to ex ploit this nsofui field of town develop mcnt, but I have sin~e decided to pro <«ed on entirely oriHnal and no'wer "lines. Er.oh l>l-"o!: of flits will be fl"nted into a separate companv, which wil! give those with smnll oanital nn equal opnortun'ty with the b : g investor of making their money cnin its niM.Nitnitr.i worth. In this way each investor wi'd have the advantage of knowing just how- and where his money i> used, and the extent to which bis capital is protected.

"The first building which will be put. •'i band will bo known as 'Hagley Park Mansions,' and it, frill occupy the freehold section in Salisbury street. a tew steps wist of Park terrace. There, will bo eight soff-contained flats in 'Haglev Park Mansions-.' and oat-li tenant will bo provided with lock-up parage areoramodation for a motor-car. Each flat will consist of from four to five rooms, and the interior fittings and arrangements will surpass tiny private residence or hotol in Austral Tho walls and floors will bo sound-proof, and the living-room floors of parquet or hardwood, whilst the introduction of gno and electricity to the science of modern housekeeping will make for eonvonicnco and independence, and the drudgery of old-time housework will g.ive way to an agroeablo and pleasant pastime." "Is this a good time to bnild—is not th« cost very nigh, Mr Beobo?" queried the reporter. "Yes, very high as compared with prewar prices." said Mr Beobe, "luit today's cost will look mighty cheap in the near future. It will not be loni; beforo the cost of bnilding will bo much higher than it is to-day, and then the only pereons who will regret. T>resent-day prices will bo those who failed to take advantage of them. _ The bousing problem is ouo which will take many years to solvo, and to me it seems certain that wages will continue to riso way past the present standard, and so also ""ill the price of select town properties, f don't think that any of us will live to see tlio day when "wo can build chcrvDor than at present." "Then I understand that tbe publie aw take nn shares in 'FTngley Park Mansions'?' was the reporter's next question. "That is so," mid Mr Beobe, "and I can assure you there will bo no difficulty in placing the shares. Thero is no better investment than up-to-date improved city freehold nroperty, situated in tho very best and nest convenient part of town, just a few minutes' walk front the Square, and right alongside of the Park, River, and Gardens. T will be pleased to givo the fullest information, and prospective investors ran havo a look at the plans of 'Hngley Park Mansions' if they will call at mr oißee," was Mr Becbe's parting remark as he closed the interview. l