NEW BUILDINGS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23205, 26 November 1938, Page 16

NEW BUILDINGS

QUEEN STREET PLANS PENDING CHANGES LARGE A.M.P. STRUCTURE AN EIGHT-STOREY BLOCK Queen Street will soon be subject to some important changes in appearance as a result of building projects. In addition to the Bank of New Zealand building of seven storeys and the structure ot five storeys to bo erected by Arthur Eady, Limited, for the occupation of Charles Begg and Company, Limited, it is learned that an eightstore.v building is mooted for the Australian Mutual Provident Society. Details of the society's scheme are not yet announced, but it is known that it intends to demolish its present building at the corner of Queen and Victoria Streets East, and also tha adjoining buildings it owns, in Queen and Victoria Streets respectively. Modern Building Proposed

On these two wide frontages it proposes to erect a modern bidding that in size and importance will compare with any building in Auckland. It will be used for its own purposes and also as a general office building for tenants.

The building tho society occupies on the corner of Queen and Victoria Streets is of particularly solid construction, and is stone-faced, tho ground flood walls being of granite. There are heavy mouldings and cornices typical of tho architecture of the period in which it was built. It was erected by the society for its own use, and also for tenants, the original idea bemc to make additions to it when, as happened later, adjoining properties were acquired. Development of Business

However, there has been such a big development of the society's business that extensions to the accommodation are not very practicable according to modern ideas of office lay-out, so the scheme for a new building that will extend up to the maximum authorised height under the city by-laws is said to have been decided upon.

Operations are expected to start on the building to bo erected by Arthur Eady, Limited, at the corner of Vulcan Lane and Queen Street, early in December. The starting time for the new Bank of New Zealand building replacing the present structure and also the adjoining premises at the corner of Queen and Swanson Streets is rather indefinite. It will be some months before all detailed plans are prepared and a quantity survey completed; indeed, an estimate of six to eight months may not be wide of the mark.