AUCKLAND'S ADVANCE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17985, 31 January 1924, Page 4

AUCKLAND'S ADVANCE.

ENTERPRISE EN THE CITY. There arc over 200 building contractors in Greater Auckland, and all are fullv engaged on contracts with prospects of continued activity for tho v> hole of this year. The total number of artisans and labourers employed is greater than it has ever been previously in the history of the progressive citv.

Ouc of the most prominent features of the brisk industry is tho revival of enterprise in the form of new structures for tho purpose of trade and commerce. Many firms have made contracts recently for the construction of substantial premises, while several more arc preparing for oxtensivo alterations and additions.

It is obvious that business men generally havo emerged from the former clouds of depression and economic uncertainty. They aro now confident as to tho future of trade and industry, and aro building, and purposing to build, to meet the demands of an increasing expansion of business. Optimism is buoyant.

Building improvements effected and in hand demonstrate tho scopo for a much wider exercise of similar enterprise. The new structures reveal in striking contrast the inadequacy of scores of old premises for the present standard and volume of Auckland's trade and commerce.

Many merchants and more shopkeep- ' era admit frankly that in their existing premises they are severely hampered for space, especially for effective display which is so essential in modern business, and that they must soon prepare for extension. Even in Queen street ] many buildings belonging to the pion- '■ eering days, have outlived their former measure of service, and cry aloud, as it : were, for notablo reconstruction. Mean, while the process of romaking tho trad- '. iug centre of the city is quite briskly in operation. Extent of New Work. "Work has been started this month on a score of now mercantile and commei> eial premises in tho metropolitan are 3, representing an aggregate value of £210,000. Building activity is most prominent in tho principal business portion of the city, especially on Beach road, Anzac avenuo, aiid High street, which is to bo widened some day to reliovo tho congestion of heavy traffic itt Queen street. The latter thoroughfare, it may bo noted, has almost been littered "with safety zones for pedestrians. The new buildings in the course of construction on High street havo been set back to the eastern boundary of tho new alignment. But many premises will have to be reconstructed before the street, which will still be comparatively narrow ia its projected width, can afford essential relief to mercantile traffic. Inducement to substantial reconstruction is real and considerable. Tho future value of property in the locality will bo sufficient to reward bold enterprise.

It is anticipated that owners will mako tho moat of their sites when they rebuild existing premises, and will erect modern buildings to servo for many, many years. This phase Of reconstruction is, at any rate, the' outstanding feature, of the new building now being erected for Messrs D.' and A. Campbell, by Mr W. Ball, to the architectural plans of Messrs Crookes, Siacei, and Crookes. It is going up to the limit of altitude in Auckland. Range of Improvements. Good progress in being made in the preliminary work of constructing the now medical chambers in Victoria street cast, at an estimated cost of sbmo £46,000. The contractors are the Fletcher Construction Company, tvhose programme of building Operations is an extensive one. The same firm has a largo team of artisans at work on tho construction' of tho new Arts building for tho Auckland University College in Princes street. Tho building assumes very prominent proportions, its tower promising to become a dominant feature Of the landscape. A large staff of •Workmen will have steady employment on the building for the greater part of this yea r.

Two new -warehouses on Anzac avenue arc well advanced in construction, While the labouring work oir the foundations of commodious premises for Hutchinson Brothers in Beach street has been completed, the builders now being employed on the substantial super-structure in reinforced concrete. Further improvements in Pitt etreet will include the erection of a fine block of commercial buildings on the site adjoining the headquarters station of the City Fire Brigade a.t the top end of that busy thoroughfare. Enterprise has been exceptionally active along this arterial .roadway recently, and all the new buildings represent the new Auckland movement toward a solid standard of utility architecture without sacrifice of attractive design. Indeed, it may be mentioned that 3?itt street will soon compare more than favourably with its eastern competitor, Symonds street, which makes progress a little leas rapidly as regards new buildings, though the recent subdivision abovo the upper boundary of the Grafton Cemetery provides scope for noteworthy building construction. Improvements are not, however, confined to the centre of the city area. Progress is marked in the outer portions as well, especially along Karangahapc road, where several commodious trading premises arc in the course of construction. Eomuora, too, maintains a brisk paco of expansion -without depreciating the charming amenities of the popular residential district. There has recently been completed and occupied a fine block of buildings at the top of Upland road. In all parts of the attractive locality many new dwellings are bein I '' erected to meet the demand for residential accommodation. Expansion moves rapidly beyond the present tfamwav boundary, and an extension of transport facilities will soon be required. Though Kemuera. is part of the city it retains it 3 attractiveness of ■l picturesque suburb commanding a rare outlook upon the harbour, the •mlf, and a wide sweep of countryside. ° In all the suburbs the building industry is active.