A FINE ESTABLISHMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 12990, 8 December 1906, Page 2

A FINE ESTABLISHMENT.

MESSRS BROWN. EWING’S NEW PREMISES.

The premi-es in Princes street, known as the Albert Building*, and occupied for many years by Messrs Thomson, Bridger, Chiaroni, and T'cltham, have juet undergone extensive alterations for Messrs _ Brown, Ewing, and Co., Limited, of this City, who aro now in possession. The building is one of the finest of its class in the colony. Practically the whole of the interior has been removed, and in place of the old brick dividing walls the floors are now carried on steel joists, supported by ornamental iron columns ■ and arranged so as to bring tho place up to the standard of modern id car. In the baroment the floors have been rdnid in special asphalt, and the old drainage system lias been lifted, a new service being put in through out. A hydraulic ram lift las been put in from the Princes street level to the basement for tho easy handling of heavy goods. The lighting 'for the basement is "btnined by “ Lucifer ” nrism pavement lights fixed In the footpath outside and in the floors inside. The following departments are located on lie ground floor; —Carpets and furnishings, household draj-ery, drerera drees materials, si te, laces, hibbons, small 'i-nres, together with their art needlework department, which is a new venture with this firm. On this floor will al-o be fennel the counting-hou e, which is convenientlv placed near the door. The ground floor is beautifully lit from tho front by plate-glass windows and a row of sashes arranged above the f ront lights. Also, in tho centre, there i? a lantern light, which runs the whole width of the build nig (about 22ft x 80ft V A massive and ornamental verandah of cast and wrought iron, with a circular domed roof in the middle, is carried along the whole front. The sy hos are construct'd of picked black polished walnut. The stall boards are of -Kompscy red marble. Tho main entrance floor is of encaustic tiles, with whit© marble step, the firm’s name being inlaid in black letter©. Tire (loot's are of black walnut, with plate glass panels, tho hinees being of the boomer type. Tho ceilings, beams, and sofllls arc very attractive, and have been panelled with ■ Wunderlich embossed. steel ami moulded ornamental zinc couriers, the door* way ceilings being in tho same materials, With embossed centre flowers. A comfortable staircase, with hand-carved newels of figured red pine, leads from tho ground to the first show room floor. The show room is 80ft x 80ft, and is admirably lit from the front and from tho well in the centre of the building. The ceilings aro all in embossed steel, broken up Into bavs and ]rands. Tho general scheme of color is ivory-white arid erf am, which contrasts well with the rich preen carpet tliat covers the whole floor. The wells are panelled round with a cut-work frieze. The fittingon rooms (six of them) are built of kauri, with a d ido carried up 4ft 6in in height, and finished above with moulded sashes, glazed with white figured glass. These rooms aro aVo finished in enamelled ivorywhite ard cream. The lavatory accommodation (which is associated with the fitting-rooms) is of the latest. The top floor is devoted to tho work and stock rooms, and in all cosos the comfort of the employees lias been studied, very ample lavatory accommodation, cloak rooms, and a. large dining room being provided. A. passenger-lift runs tho full height of the Iniilding. Tho cage i.s a 'very handsome piece of work, being of polished walnut and n.sh panels with mlrror-plato angle frames. The upholstering is in green velvet ’live lift is cased in with panelled woodwork, a moulded pediment b-’ing placed over tho principal entrances and leadlighf panels above. The lighting is effected by gas, but the firm have a fro a oomp’ete electric system in.vtal'ed throughout every floor. Tho front is illumined by ten electric arc lamps. Lawson's cash railways are fitted up on the ground and first floors. Tho whole work has been carried out under the direction of Messrs Walden and Barton, architects. Messrs G. Simpson and Co. making all structural alterations. Tho show oases and fittings were, designed and carried out by Mr G. Piddington. The counters aro o( polished cedar, with panelled fronts and carved traSse?, and the cash boxes are of polished cedar and figured kauri panels. Tie tops of many of the show counter? are of plato glass, with Walnut heads : On the other floor they are of mahogany. Tho e-how oases themselves are very handsome, being of polished cedar, with pl.i.ie glass {bouts and cuds. They were mad© by Messra {Secular find Chis holm. Mossa-g G. Kimnson and Co. carried out the whole of the structural alterations; Messrs Brine'oy Bind Co. had the contract for the verandah: Messrs A. Leea for painting, plate nla.vs, and “Lucifer” prisms: Mr A. G llicra for tho internal decorations of tlic ground and first floor-?. Messrs M'Grogor and. Co. for lifts: and Messrs Turnbull and .Toms for tlw> electrical _ work in connection with the building.

Wo may add that tho firm intend to continue their men's clothing, mercery, and tailoring departments in their proraises at the old corner, so universally 'known for over forty years as “ Brown. Ewing’s Corner,” a celebrated landmark, known to everybody.