GRAND HOTEL IMPROVEMENTS

Evening Star, Issue 18714, 16 August 1924, Page 11

GRAND HOTEL IMPROVEMENTS

AMBITIOUS SCHEME OUTLINED, SOME PARTICULARS OF PLANS. Judging by the plans for the structural alterations to the Grand Hotel, it_ would seem that this house, once recognised ak the dominion's lending hotel, he shortly on its way to that proud position again, so far, at least, as the important factors of convenience, appearance, and the appointments that mean comfort are concerned. The structural improvements and new fittings arc to cost between them something like £12,000, and at the beginning of next month the expenditure of this big sum will have commenced. Although the alterations are certainly of main importance to those directly concerned in the welfare of the " Grand, they also have a decided significance an indication of Dunedin’s progress, for the modern city may be largely judged by the standard of its hotels. The first feature that will strike the passer-by when the work is under way will be the changed appearance of the High street entrance. The whole of the shop at present occupied by Miss Reid, florist, will become part of this entrance, which will be a most handsome affair. The portico will be extended to take in the additional frontage, and it will be tiled in colors that will harmonise with the rest of the interior. An important point is that a private entrance is to bo provided apart from the one that also gives access to the bars, and within this entrance will be the hotel office and the latest in electric lifts, by which all the floors will bo served. The entrance vestibule is to be panelled, and it will have other attractive features in keeping with the general excellence of the fittings. The “ well,” which is the present feature of the first floor, i§ to ho one of the sacrifices on the altar of improvement. _lt will bo closed, and the space it occupied will go to the making of a large drawing room lounge, richly carpeted, and replete with settees and other articles that stand for ease and after-dinner contentment. Off the lounge-to-be is the dining room, and here, again, big alterations are to be mado. The room will be extended tor 24ft, thus giving accommodation for another forty guests—making a total seating capacity for 130 people. No department, surely, is of more importance than the one devoted to culinary operations, and the “ Grand ’ kitchen promises to be something much out of the ordinary. Canon and Co., of Glasgow, are to supply some of the principal features. In a word, the fittings here are lo be all new and as up to date as anything in Australasia. Below the kitchen a boiler will supply water to heat all the public rooms and corridors. On the same floor more bathroom and lavatory accommodation will bo available for guests, and additions of a similar nature will be made on the other floors. A'couple of complete suites are to be another feature of this floor. Other improvements include a roof garden above the dining room, new electric fittings'; and a host of minor alterations that will contribute to comfort without being inoticeable —an end that should be tho supreme objective of the bo he architect or tragedian. Those who have had experience of bars outside New Zealand will bo glad to hear that a lounge bar is te be provided. The present circular bar will be a thing of the past; in its place, with a 24ft addition, will bo the lounge bar, fitted with chairs and tables. Il should he noted-and by way of general effect this is probably the outstanding point—that the hotel is to be completely renovated. Associated with Mr J. L. Salmond, the architect in charge of the alterations, will bo one of the dominion’s leading decoration experts, and it is intended to introduce a color scheme that will 'go a long way towards making “ the leading hotel ” lead once more. Briefly put, a look at the plans and a talk with Mr Paape convince one that Dunedin is to have an hotel that will rank speoud to none in the country.