BUSY STUART STREET

Evening Star, Issue 20312, 22 October 1929, Page 14

BUSY STUART STREET

EXTENSIVE ALTERATIONS PRO- • DEEDING Not many years ago Stuart street, the main thoroughfare to Dunedin’s fine railway station, presented many unsightly corners, and was the centre of attraction for a very limited number of people. Now cpiite a different atmosphere pervades this _ centre. An enormous amount of vehicular traffic buzzes by each day, while hundreds of pedestrians, hurry along 1;o accomplish their commercial aims. No doubt the removal of the ‘ Siar's ’ home to this

part of tho city, has played a big part in tho great transformation. With the increase' of traffic, it is only to be expected that business should flourish accordingly, so it is not surprising that we should seo many notable alterations being made to premises in that street. Owners of buildings arc compelled to bring their promises to more modern lines. The handsome return to be gained from letting .shops is no doubt an 'ncentivc to the owners for the addition of shops to their buildings. Tims wo find in Stuart street to-day buildings being reconstructed so that shops form an important feature. Considerable interest has been aroused over the remodelling of the Temple Court Building, recently ' acquired by Allbell Investments, Ltd., from Messrs White and Co. Externally, the appearance of the building will be entirely changed. Tho rough framework of the new verandah

is already in place, and Scatfolding has been erected over the whole front. All the existing windows arc to be xemoved and, replaced with larger and more modern steel sashes, which will give considerably more light and air to the interior The general design of the front is shown in the accompanying illustration, the whole being finished off in white plaster with enriched bands and capitals in pressed cement. The shops arc all being remodelled according to the best requirements of shop design, with oak window frames and tiled piers and stall boards. A feature of the alterations will be the new entrance to the upper floors. A steel dome, with tastefully designed leadlights, will bo placed in the verandah immediately in front of the now entrance doors, which ivill lead to a spacious vestibule panelled around to a height of sft, with marble panels and terrazzo styles and - rails. The

stairs from the ground to the second floor -arc to be covered' with terrazzo, and • the handrails will bo finished in antique silver. The alterations do not stop here, as the first and second floors aro being entirely remodelled to bring light and air to all parts of the build ing. Bo popular are these alterations proving that already all the shops, the whole of tho second iloor, and a considerable portion of the first floor have been let to tenants. The design of these extensive alterations is tho work of rViessrs Alider and White, architects, and is being carried out by Mr W. Knowles, contractor Mr E. M'Leod. contractor, is carrying out the alterations for Messrs Harris and Co. and the interior .of the shops on tho station side of the entrance Thu models for tho ornamental worn wore produced by Mr A. E. Shank, sculptor: Messrs Smith and Smith Ltd., are to do the painting and glaz ing, and the joinery work has been placed m the hands of Messrs M'Cal iuni and Co. [u addition to these extensive alterations, Messrs G. Lawrence and Sons are remodelling tho building recently purchased by Mr H. Halliday, standing practically next door to tfie Allbell Chambers. Here, again, we find three new' shops being constructed on the most modern lines. These shops are nearing completion, and Messrs Smith and Smith. Ltd., are just adding tho final touches of paint. Tins firm supplied all tho glass for these shops, and included in tho contract was an order to supply an extraordinarily large mirror for tho roar of tho shop occupied by Messrs Jago, Biggs, Ltd. This is claimed to be the largest mirror yet glazed in Dunedin, and gives tho shop a most distinctive appearance. Other alterations are contcm plated in Stuart street in the ueni future, and tho time does not seem far distant when this street will be a par ticularly busy shopping and commercial centre.