National Bank’s Handsome Palmerston Home.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3491, 29 October 1926, Page 8

National Bank’s Handsome Palmerston Home.

Architectural Beauty and Dignity

Four-Storyed Building on Corner of Cuba and Rangitikei Streets

Palmerston North’s rapidly growing importance as a commercial centre lias again boon exemplified in its building enterprise, which continues apace; the latest proposal in this connection promises to effect a vast improvement to the intersection of Cuba and Hangitikci streets.

The authorities for the National Bank of New Zealand. Ltd.. accepted the tender of Mr Brown (Haworn) for the erection of a large four-storey building on the site recently occupied by the old wooden structure. This new architectural asset to the community will cost £27,(100 and is now well under way. The new bank premises will comprise a block of 00 feet by 40 feot with four floors and a basement extending over the whole area. Jn keeping with the reputation associated with such establishments, the appearance of the building is suggestive of security and utility rather than ornate display. Constructed of ferro-concrete, the reinforcement being of mild steel, the exterior is faced with plaster to represent the Hawkpsbury river (New South Wales) sandstone.

Rising 50 feet above the street level, tlie front, elevation will present an imposing aspect to Rangitikoi street. Two large lonic columns. 3 feet (> indies in diameter. and 32 feet higb. flank thfl main entrance, with pilasters on each corner, surmounted by an enriched entablature over the third storey, with the attic storey above.

The name of tbe bank and owners of the building is to be inscribed in bronze letters on the frieze of the main entablature on both the Rangitikei street and Cuba street facades. The return front is continued in similar harmony, with pilasters separating each bay of windows. '

It may be added at this stage that the two-storeyed structure recently constructed by the bank will bo used ns temporary premises during tbe erection of the new imposing edifice. This block is a separate unit and does not form part of the design of the new premises, it having been planned lo be conveniently converted into shops at a later date, when the contract is completed on the corner section.

The details of the lower floor or basement tiro taken up with accommodation for strongrooms, etc., and a furnace room, from which central heating will be distributed to the hot water radiators in all parts of the building. The ground floor is devoted wholly to banking business, with a spacious entrance to Bangitikei street. A feature of the structure is the banking chamber, which is 5G feet by 117 feet and rises two stories. The apartment, with a coffered ceiling, has the walls relieved by pilasters spaced between a range of openings on the Cuba street facade. The plan reveals that there will be four tellers’ boxes on the one side with the six ledger desks facing directly opposite, bills and exchanges being at the far end. About a quarter of the floor, area is devoted to the public service, which, together with the manager’s office at the right of the entrance, will he paved with grey and black jaspe tiles, giving the impression of a parquet inlaid floor. A rubber preparation. this tiling affords comfort and makes walking practically noiseless. Similar material is the vogue in floor coverings in modern public buildings and on the luxuriously appointed ocean liners of recent construction. Provision has been made for offices at the rear end and the manager will b« installed in the front with, access to all parts. The resident officer’s quarters will be situated at the rear of of the chamber on a mezzaninn floor. There will also bo a book lift installed, giving communication between the banking chamber and the vaults in the basement. Special provision IviS been made in the design for adequate lighting, the fittings being carried out in bronze and oak. A mezzanine floor on the Bangitikei street, frontage, together with the whole of the two upper storeys, will l>e subdivided into convenient suites of offices, with strongrooms and facilities complete. These upper floors are reached by an entrance facing (he Bangitikei street elevation also, and from here a staircase and clectrie lift will provide ready moans ot access. The architects are Messrs. Atkins and Mitchell, of Wellington, and it is confidently expected that the building will be ready for occupation about fourteen months hence.