NEW QUARTERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 17, 21 January 1939, Page 12

NEW QUARTERS

DEFENCE SERVICES

OLD RAILWAY BUILDING

The task of remodelling and strengthening the old Railway Department building now occupied by various branches of the Defence Department is nearing completion, and when the scaffolding is removed in a few \ weeks' time the building will emerge transformed into a modern structure that will be an aesthetically pleasing addition to the city's public buildings. The main structure has been strengthened to increase its earthquake resisting powers by the use of trussed partitions and diagonal steel trusses. Considerable alteration is being made to the exterior of the building which is being completely modernised. Reconstruction of the roof, now completed, involved removal of the central fleche which formerly rose 36' feet, above the main roof, and the cutting down to the main roof level of the gables at either end and in the centre of the rr.ain- roof. Also where the gables formerly ran through the main roof they; have been hipped back to the main roof line. ' .

The whole of the front main entrance has been remodelled* which involved removal of the large baywindow which formerly ran the full height of the building. The roof parapet has been lowered two feet and all projecting stonework—heavy canopies,- balconies, and pedimentsweighing hundreds of tons has been trimmed off. The stonework has been taken back r-Mr with the brickwork and plasterect. When the exterior is finished it will consist of cream plaster with panels of the original brickwork. It will generally harmonise with the adjacent Customs Department building which was also recently remodelled. The whole of the interior has been renovated and painted and the office accommodation has been remodelled to suit the requirements of the new tenants, . , j

Army Headquarters and Navy Headquarters are -already occupying their portions of the building and Air Force Headquarters will shift in on February 1. It is- understood that the building will henceforth be known as the Defence Services Building. It is anticipated that the work will be completed by the end of February.