DUNEDIN IMPROVEMENTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 987, 29 October 1870, Page 16

DUNEDIN IMPROVEMENTS.

A large and handsome block of buildings at the corner of the Octagon and Princes atreet, and adjoining the Athenaeum, has just been completed, under the superintendence of Mr David Ross, architect. The block, which belongs to Mr James Galbraith has a frontage of 44ft to the Octagon, and of 66ft to Princes street, and consists of a basement, a ground floor, and an upper floor. On the ground floor at the corner is a shop 2') ft wide, and fronting the Octagon, with two entrances. Next it is a hall or corridor leading to a wide staircase at the back, which gives access from the interior both to the oagement and upper floor. Then there is a shop lift x 0Q«, with, » back shop or

parlour behind, 14ft; x 12£t. Fronting Princes street, and adjoining these, is another shop, with a parlour, then a covered passage to the back premises fills up the frontage. The basement, which is very lofty, is, owing to the natural fall of the ground, quite clear of it. The basement contains under it a kitchen 25ffc x 17ft, and two cellars each 25ft X 13ft, with entrances from the staircase and yard at back ; and under each of the other shops, a kitchen 12ft x 28ft, which may be subdivided as required, and a cellar, 17ft x 13ft. These are approached by staircases from above, and by the passage and yard. The floors of the basement are laid with asphalte, and it is well lighted throughout. The upper floor conains ten large apartments, approached by the wide staircase from the hall, and by a large central lobby ; all have fireplaces and large windows, and are intended to be let either as offices or as apart* mentß in connection with the shops. The walls of the basement are of blueatone, and of the other portions brick, cemented on the two fronts. The shop windows are very lofty, and are divided by masßive pillars, with ornamental capitals of a composite character ; the upper windows are three-light. The building is finished by cornice and parapet — having on the Princes street side a raised portion, with the name " Galbraith'a Buildings" in raised letters on it ; this has as supporters large ornamental trusses. The block occupies the Bite of a hotel and other wooden buildings burnt down some years ago, and from its general substantial and suitable appearance is a great improvement to the neighbourhood. The contractors for the masonry, plastering, and asphalting were Messrs Knight and Co. ; for the carpentry, Messrs Roach and Martin ; and for the painting and glazing, Mr H. S. Fish. With the exception of a small portion of ground belonging to Mr Logan, and which has remained unoccupied for some years, the whole of that side of the street, from Moray Place to the Octagon, is now filled with substantial per* manent buildings.