“CARLSSON FLATS”

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 74, 9 March 1933, Page 3

“CARLSSON FLATS”

HASTINGS ENTERPRISE

EIGHT “BUNGALOWS” UNDER ONE ROOF.

NOVEL METHOD OF SOLVING HOUSING PROBLEM.

With the marked increase that has been noted in the population of Hastings during the past few years there has been a correspondingly big demand for houses at a modest rental. Unfortunately the present time is somewhat a lean onq in the matter of the erection of new buildings and consequently there is an acute shorage of modern bungalows for rental in Hastings.

It is, therefore, all the more pleasing to learn that this need is to be met, in no little way, by the enterprise of, Mr. J. I’. Carlsson, of Hastings, who has decided to erect a two-storeyed building which will comprise only selfcontained flats. There will be eight flats in all and every one under the one roof.

The proposal is entirely new to Hastings, though, of course, tho idea of flats is by no means novel. However, “Carlsson Flats,’’ as the new building Is to be called, will be the first twostoreyed structure in Hastings to consist entirely of flats. “Carlsson Flats” is to be erected on the corner of Warren and Queen streets and will replace tho brick structure that was occupied by Musson and Mulholland, plumbers, prior to its destruction by the earthquake. It will have a frontage of 123 feet to Warren street and 31 feet to Queen Street. The floor space in the building will be over 9000 square feet. For the most part the structure will be of wood, the timber framing being placed on a concrete foundation, but the outward, appearance will be one of more solidity in that tho exterior is to be of cement compo and coloured plaster. The main elevation has been designed to give a most pleasing and modern effect. The interior of the building will be of fibrous plaster and decorated to suit the tenants. Though there will be only two main, or public, entrances every one of the eight flats will be isolated and will have a separate private entrance. IN REALITY BUNGALOWS. The term “flat” is, to a certain extent, a misnomer in that the architect, Mr. A. Garnett, of Hastings, has, in reality, designed eight four-roomed modern bungalows. Prospective househunters will be interested in the fit-ting-up of these bungalow-flats, which arc really- partly furnished. The sit-ting-room, for example, will be fitted with three most useful pieces of furniture —a sideboard, a servery and a bookcase. A neat gas heater is to be installed into an attractively tiled fireplace and tho dimensions of the room are to be 16ft. by 12ft. Each fiat will have two bedrooms, one 12ft. x 12ft. and the other 12ft. by 9ft., and in each of these is to be con-

structed a wardrobe and a dressingtable, so all that the prospective tenant need supply is a bed.

The most fastidious of housewives will be plqased with the kitchen, which is literally full of cupboards. In it is to be installed an up-to-date gas stove for cooking purposes and the hotwater service will be found to be effective as well as economical, Starkey’s water heaters having been decided upon.

A spacious bathroom is to be completely fitted out with bath, washbasin, lavatory and cabinet, whilst a linen cupboard in each passage-way completes the generous list of “modern conveniences” that will make “Carlsson Flats” a striking example of modern enterprise. 1 At the rear of tho building will be placed a “community’’ washhouse in which there will be two coppers and two sets of tubs. A generous portion of the ground space is to be set aside for a drying area for clothes. Space is also available for the erection of motor garages should there be sufficient demand, whilst an area has been reserved for the erection of another set of flats should occasion

Special care has been exercised in the matter of ventilation and the whole of the building will be lighted with electricity. Each flat is to have a separate meter and there will also be a separate meter for the lighting of the main entrances and the community passageways.

There will be two big and attractively designed balconies at the front and the rear and provision is made for a wide and useful fire-escape balcony.

Tenders are now being called for the erection of the building, which is estimated to cost from £4OOO to £.1500.

' It is expected that the flats will bo let at a rental of 27/6 a week, and at such a reasonable figure should ,prove a great help in relieving the task of prospective house-hunters.