A METAMORPHOSIS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 51, 7 September 1928, Page 11

A METAMORPHOSIS

OLD TE ARO HOUSE

NOW AN UP-TO-DATE ARCADE

That Wellington keeps abreast of the times in the matter of business premises and sliops has been very much in evidence of late, there being groat activity in building. An outstanding example of this is to be seen in Cuba street, where tho new Burlington Areado has recently completed the nretamorphis of one of Wellington historic buildings, tho old Te Aro House. It was in 1545 that tho original Te Aro House first opened its doors. Additions wero made as years went on to meet tho needs of tho growing city, but, after narrowly escaping destruction by n'ro in. 1879, tho. original building finally met its doom by tho flames in tho middle 'eighties. On its ruins was bnilt tho last To Aro House, tho building then being tho last word in shop construction. For thirty years or so it served its purpose, but its period of utility being over, an army of workmen has for tho last few months been busy transforming it into what in future will be known as the Burlington Arcade, something unique in this part of the world and abreast of modern ideas in respect to shopping centres. The shopping arcade is in itself nothing now. In fact tho famous Burlington Arcade of London has stood for over a century, but on that Wellington's Burlington Arcade, although similar in idea, is a vast improvement. Very skilfully has the architect, Mr. A. S. Mitchell, F.N.Z.1.A., carried out tho idea. Tho plain but pleasing exterior of tho building gives but faint indication of tho novelty and wonder of the internal construction. Wide entrances on either side of tho corner, flanked by shops, lead one into a complete- shopping centre, with shops on either side of covered but well lighted walks. Ascending tho stairs much the same arrangement meets the eye, with the addition 'of what practically amounted to an upstairs street running round the exterior of the upper half of the building. Tho great point in favour of a building like the Burlington Arcade is that shoppers aro given the opportunity of making purchases of a varioty of articles under ono roof, in comfortable and well-lighted surroundings. People can pass from one shop to another dry shod oven on the wettest of days, and there is no traffic to dodge when passing from ono to another. In the Burlington Arcado, where there are literally dozens of neat shops, practically every conceivable line of merchandise can be purchased. If millinery, lingerie, or costumes o c wanted, they aro thcro, as well as silks, hosiery, gloves .toilet and household requisites, and perfumery. It 'may bo that groceries, confectionery, flowers, fruit, fancy goods, books, or medical supplies aro needed: the shops in tho Burlington Arcade supply them all. If it is sports goods, tobacco, or electrical supplies that the male shopper is after, there is no need to go further. In'fact, it requires no imagination to see the Burlington Arcado as Wellington's shopping centre, especially as restful lounges and tea rooms will cater for the needs of shoppers who are doing more than making just one purchase or so. The Burlington Arcade is something new to Wellington, a novelty which will moot with a full measure of appreciation from the shopping public.