LAND AND BUILDINGS*

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14657, 18 April 1911, Page 6

LAND AND BUILDINGS*

MESSRS. YATES'S NEI7 BLOCK. STARTING OF THE WALLS. THE FOUNDATION WORK. The excavations for the three new warehouses, which are to be erected in Albert, Moore and Federal Streets for Messrs. A. Yates and Company, are now well .advanced, and a start is being made with the building of the basement walls of the Moore-street block. The first work is the putting down of the foundations of the reinforced concrete piers, which will extend from the basement floor level to the top of th»> building, a total height of about 78ft. . The piers, which will be octagonal in form, will have a measurement of 2fb by 18iii, and will bo strongly reinforced by, steel wire, a large number of coils of which are. already on the ground?** The piers will rest on substantial gridiron and concrete foundations, placed securely upon the excellent rock bottom that lias been obtained. The " gridirons " are each about sft square, this size being rendered necessary by the immense weight that they will be required to carry.' The foundations are 13ft below the level of Albert-!, and borings have been carried several feet farther down, in order to thoroughly test the solidity of the bottom, which will carry what, will be one of the tallest blocks of buildings in Auckland. The buildings, which will consist of seven floors, are due to be completed in 12 months' time, and a further period will be occupied in the installation of the electric lifts and the fitting up of machinery, etc., before the premises are ready for occupation. The architect is Sir. T. W. May. • Excavations are being carried on at this spot for some three or four owners, in addition to Messrs. Yates and Co., under the direction of Mr. May. The total quantity of earth that is being taken out of the site is about 18,000 yards, and the work is one of the largest private excavations yet undertaken in Auckland. The street excavations adjoining the site will supply about a further 3000 yards. The spoil is being taken to the Harbour Board's reclamation works at Freeman's Bay. MORE NEW BUILDINGS. A FERRO CONCRETE STORE. The Union Oil, Soap, and Candle Company has decided to add to its present works at Otahuhu by tho erection of a store in ferro concrete. . The store, which will be of two storeys, will have a length of 86ft by a width of 36ft. The preparation of the plans has been entrusted to Mr. Edwd. Bartley, architect, and tenders are to be invited at once. The present shop occupied by Messrs. R. and R. Duder, at the corner of Churchstreet and Beach Road, Devonport, is to be pulled down, in order to make room for a more up-to-date brick structure. Messrs. Duder also propose to erect three fine new two-storey brick shops alongside, making a complete block. The plans are being prepared by Mr. Edw. Bartley, architect. ■ The new show grounds, adjoining Alexandra. Park, Epsom, which have been, ' leased by the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association from the Cornwall Park trustees, are now being laid out, and equipped with the necessary conveniences,' i etc. Two grandstands are to be erected— the main grandstand and an auxiliary. The erection of the latter, which will accommodate 1200 people, has already been commenced, and it will be ready in time for the , opening of the football; season. Tenders are invited for the building of the main stand. This is designed much upon tlw same style as that at Cambridge, and other places in the North Island, and is to accommodate 2000 people, its total dimensions being 2000 ft by 30ft. The stand, as in the case of the auxiliary one, is to be built in wood. The architects are Messrs. Arnold and Abbott. Tenders are invited by , Mr. T. W. May, architect, for the erection of a two-storey warehouse in brick for Measts. A. and P. Spencer, in Hobson-street. '• A three-storey brick, building is to be erected shortly in Wakefield-street, at the corner of Abercrombie-street. - The site is at present occupied by a number of small buildings of somewhat ancient origin, and the new structure will be a considerable improvement to the locality. The plans are being prepared by Mr. T. W. May. ' ' '< The excavations for a five-storey building for Mr. , Neville Newcomb in Albertstreet, opposite the baths, are now proceeding. V CITY IMPROVEMENTS. MESSRS: JOHN COURT'S PREMISES. Some extensive alterations and additions have lately been made in the "J.C.L. corner " building, in order to cope with the requirements of the growing business of Messrs. John Court,, Ltd. The old hydraulic lift has given place to an up-to-date electric passenger-elevator. A patent accelerator assures a gradual start and finish to the upward or downward journey, and three separate safety attachments make the lift practically proof against accident. The removal of the old hydraulic lift has also made a considerable addition to the clothing department. The ladies' showroom, which is now about three times as large as the former D.S.C. showroom, _ has also been remodelled. It now comprises the whole of the first floor, and it is covered throughout with the finest quality of inlaid linoleum, which was specially imported . for the purpose. On the top floor special provision .has. been made for the country order department by the installation of extensive fixtures. /The furniture department is on ' this ' floor, an it is stated to be the largest soft furnishing department in New Zealand. The firm has .also installed a 24-station pneumatic cash system, operated by electric motor. This system connects all departments with the cash office, which has been removed to the top floor.. TENDERS FOR WORKS. THE PAST WEEK'S LIST. Tenders have been invited for various works as follows during the past week:— By Mr. B. C. Chihvell (architect): For Masonic Hall, Upper Pitt-street, Newton. By E. Mahoney and Son (architects): For additions to buildings in Albert-street. By Mr. J. Park * (architect): For clubhouse for Manakau Yacht Club, By Devonport Borough Council: For erection of sea wall ' along a portion of the King Edward parade. By Mount Albert Bcrough Council: For alterations and additions to offices at Morningside. By Mr. T. B. Jacobseo (architect): For erection of concrete retaining wall in Wil-liamson-Avenue, Grey Lynn. By Mr. M. R. Creagh: , For construction of roads on Alexandra Park Estate.