VAILES' BUILDINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1131, 29 June 1867, Page 5

VAILES' BUILDINGS.

The progress made in the architectural aspect of Queen-street within llie last twelve months has been very marked. It were possible to count nearly a score of handsome and substantial briek buildings which have been erected, —structures which liave very considerable architectural protensions. We have on the present occasion to notice the new building which has just been comcompletcd for Messrs. Vaile Brothers, ntthe south west corner of "Wyndliam-street. The building is plain as to style, but then it is imposing and looks massive by the magnitude of its proportions. The only trace of architectural distinction about it, is in the Corinthian pilasters by which the whole facade is divided into compartments. These also support an elegant cornice, the whole terminating in a blocking course, neatly capped. The structure rests upon massive scoria masonry which in turn rests upon a base of solid rock. The basement storey includes a spacious cellar 66 x 3S, to which two means of acccss are had, one from "\Yyndham-street. The scoria masonry is strengthened by buttresses. The first storey containing the shop front is supported upon iron pillars whose hearing capacity is considerably greater than any strain that may ever be put on it will need. The front extends 37 feet 6 inches to Queen-street, and SO feet to TVyndham-street. The shop front will bo fitted with plate glass. The area of the shop lloor will be the same as that of the cellar. The greatest strength has been secured by the manner in which the several floors are supported, viz., by trussed girders, thus obviating the necessity of columns or piers which would, of course, be in the way, and be unsightly as obstructions. The trussing is done with wrought-iron " flitches " between strong timbers, which are also strongly bolted together. The main object lias evidently been to secure the largest possible space for the accommodation of the public, and the transaction of business. There is leading from the shop to the upper floors a staircase of very imposing dimensions flanked by balustrades capped with a massive hand-rail of cedar. The shop counters are novelties in the way of fitting, for their tops will be plate glass over a well in which fancy goods can be exhibited. The fittings generally are of New Zealand woods, viz., kauri, and display good and careful workmanship, and the general view of the shop with the variety of rich drapery of various colours, the arrangement of miscellaneous goods of all kinds is exceedingly affective. Every appliance which a first-class establish - ment of the kind might be supposed to require is provided, lavatories, offices, lifts, &c. There are " well holes" in the centre of each floor, 25 feet by 12 feet around which counters are erected. The building is composed of the best English Greystock bricks, the front, as will be gathered from what we have already said, being stuccoed. The roofs are as strong as can pcssibly be made, and would afford an additional room if required, of 56 by 20 feet. The buildinghasbcen raisedunderthe superintendence of Mr. Iveals, architect, and the workmanship is highly creditable to Messrs. Matthews and 13artley the contractors. The scoria work which is of the very best description wehave seen here, was executed b}- Mr. Kay, ofParnell. The whole job is creditable to all parties, and the building is an ornament to the ton-n. The effect when lighted up cannot fail to be good, for wc are informed that not less than two hundred gas lights will be required for the exigencies of the establishment. The lighting has been entrusted to Mr. Marks, gas fitter, whose experience, skill, and ingenuity, has contributed a very brilliant effect, for the shop will be as well lighted as any in the West End of London.