SALE OF THE CITY HALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12555, 22 April 1904, Page 5

SALE OF THE CITY HALL.

TO BE UTILISED FOR BUSINESS PREMISES.

That well-known place of amusement, the City Hall, Queen and Victoria Streets, has been purchased by Messrs. R. H. Abbott and F. Kneebone, and will shortly be converted into business premises. , The purchase, which carries a lease of about 40 years, was effected some weeks ago. but as the •waer of the property is a Russian lady named Schapiro, residing in Moscow, the purchasers have not yet received back the deeds conveying the property to them, and consequently cannot take possession or proceed to dismantle the building until these come to hand. The purchase was arranged through the lady's Auckand attorneys. Meanwhile, Mr. A. P. Wilson, architect, is preparing a comprehensive scheme for the remodelling of the premises, which are to be converted into offices, dental rooms, warerooms, etc., and will consist of two floor's in the theatre part. Mr. Geo. Abbott, who held an unexpired lease of the hall, has relinquished the same in consideration of the fact that the new owners cease to use it as a house of amusement. The purchase money has not been made known, but we have reliable information to the effect that it runs well into five figures.