THE NEW D.I.C.

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 290, 7 September 1928, Page 7

THE NEW D.I.C.

FIVE ACRES OF FLOOR ' SPACE Rapid building changes are at present going on in Wellington. This is especially noticeable on and in the vicinity of Lauibton Quay at the south end. The city is being practically rebuilt, and large buildings are rising on sites formerly occupied by two or at most three-storey buildings. One of the most striking of these changes is the disappearance of the buildings on Lambton Quay between Panama and Brandon Streets, the great emporium for the D.I.C. occupying ■ their sites. Although a seven-storey building was contemplated and planned for, yet it was decided to proceed with a live-floor structure and add as required. As a result of a visit of the manager (Mr. Sinim) and' the architects (Messrs. Miller and Mitchell) to the head office in Dunedin, instructions have been given to go ahead with a seven-floor builidng, to the limit of the City Council by-laws as to height of buildings. The new building . when completed will have five acres of'floor space. Among the modern features of the new building, placing it on a level with the great department stores of London. America and Australia, will be a spacious and luxuriously appointed restaurant and tearooms, and lounge: a handsomely fitted and completely equipped ladies’ toilet salon; a children's hairdressing department ( telephone bureau, and other sections additional to the millinery, furs, drapery, fancy goods, furnishings, Manchester; porcelain and crockery and household equipment usually* conducted by the company in thj course of its varied business. Access to the various floors will be by lifts as, well as by stairs, but in addition there will be an escalator, or moving staircase, enabling customers to go upstairs without walking.' This escalator will be something new to New Zealand.