THE NEW EMPIRE HOTEL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 3259, 16 October 1897, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE NEW EMPIRE HOTEL.

The plans for the new and large hotel which is to replace the Empire Hotel, in Willis street, have just been completed by the architect, Mr G. G. Schwartz. It becomes abundantly evident in looking them over that the new hotel will be one of the handsomest in the colony. The building will have two frontages, one of three stories, with a large tower above, to Willis street, and the other, of four stories —the depression in the ground being cunningly used for the addition of a base-ment--to Victoria street. This frontage will also be surmounted by a tower. The width of the building at the Willis street side will be 66ft and the height 53ft. On the Victoria street side the hotel will be 71ft wide and 57ft high. The towers of course will greatly increase the height of the hotel. The building will contain about 150 rooms.

Entering from Willis street the traveller will find himself in a large vestibule, from which he will gain access to the hall. On the left of the hall there is the public office with a private office attached. The commercial room is also off this hall, while a long passage runs right through to Victoria street. Leading off this passage are the lavatories, dining-room, the “pay " office, the billiard-room and the social hall. Behind the dining-room, which is on the right, there is the kitchen and the serving room, pantry, store-rooms &0., connected with that department. The Victoria street entrance is similar to the Willis ■street one. Off the Victoria street hall, there are commercial rooms and a large sample room, while a staircase leads down to the basement.' The basement contains a public bar, sample rooms, kitchen and wine cellars. Entrance to the kitchen and yard is also gained from the basement, From the yard there is a separate staircase which leads to two stories of sample rooms for the convenience of commercial travellers. A handsome fire-proof stairway from the Willis street hall mounts to a large hall on the first floor, off which there are writing, reading and commercial rooms, and a private billiard-room. Two passages from this hall lead to the different suites of bedrooms and the lavatory accommodation. There are similar stairs and arrangements from the Victoria street hall. Further flights of stairs lead to the second floor, which is entirely devoted to single bedrooms. A servants’ staircase, disconnected with the rest of the building, leads from the kitchen to the third door, where there are 20 rooms for servants’ accommodation. The floor is divided for male and female servants, and contains separate bathrooms. The towers are reached by spiral staircases and will be used for private parties and other similar purposes. Hot and cold water will be laid on through- ■ out the building, which will be provided with the very latest conveniences of all kinds.