REBUILDING THE CITY

Otago Witness, Issue 3875, 19 June 1928, Page 9

REBUILDING THE CITY

NEW PREMISES. IN PRINCES STREET. SPEIGHT’S QUEEN’S CHAMBERS. To the student of civic progress and development, the past year in Dupedin must have. an unprecedented fund of interesting data. Many new. blocks of buildings have been started in the past 12 months, and not a few have been completed, and are now rendering that service which old landmarks, now. passed away, could not; supply. But although to the present generation the passing of the old occasions no regret that is not swallowed up in elation at the appearance of the new, there must be a host of those for whom “ full many times' the fruitful year hath turned,” who watch regretfully the razing to the ground of weather-beaten, time-scarred premises in many parts of the city, which to them have been landmarks they cannot easily forget, with associations, and memories that the handsome ferro-concrete and steel structures of to-day cannot drive from their minds. Slowly as the times have changed in Dunedin, the death-knell of many of the city’s best-known and oldest establishments has been rung, and modernity, as typified by the storeyed piles of the twentieth century, has come to take their place. The sign of the demolition company replaces the “to let ” sign. No longer are tenants required for the dusty chambers that the present age despises. Something newer and greater and more enduring must supplant them. And now that the change has come, it must go on and on, since one modern structure, towering handsomely above half a dozen dingy old buildings, puts them to shame, and has the effect, or will have in time, of moving owners or trustees or tenants to make some move towards more modern conditions. The new has ousted the old in Princess street. The old Queen’s Buildings have gone and in their stead has been raised a new and bigger and statelier set of chambers, which frowns down disapprovingly on many a roof top in the vicinity whose rusty iron covers premises long since obsolete and inadequate. Otir representative accompanied the architect of- the new Queen’s Chambers (Mr J. L. Salmond, of Messrs Salmond and Vanes) on his daily round yesterday, and was shown the rapid progress being made in the erection of a block which-in the years to come will serve as a monument to the late Mr Charles Speight, who commenced the project.

The building has five storeys, and rises above Princes street to a height of 78ft on a 66ft frontage, and runs back 83ft. Immediately in the rear and connected with the main street entrance is an annexe taken by the Vedic, Ltd. (tea rooms), which stands on the full 66ft ironiage and runs back a further 82ft.

From the street the front elevation is particularly attractive and compelling. The expansive front has been finished with coloured cement and a special stonefinished, cream-toned in texture. The architectural design is attractively classical, presenting a facade that is boldly proportioned with heavy projections and enriched cornices. Fluted Corinthian pilasters, rising from the second floor to the top of the floor make an effective design, and the general aspect of massiveness and solidity is relieved by the large windows on each floor, set in bronze finished steel frames and sashes. The combination of utility and beauty has been strikingly successful. The ground floor frontage is devoted to three shops, and here again the outside finish has been carried out with an eye to design as well as service. Lustrous and sparkling granite has been used across the expanse of wall beneath the verandas. Opening from the street is a 10ft entrance, which leads to the fama-finished staircase, the lift and the Vedic tea rooms. This, with the three shop fronts, occupies the whole of the street frontage. The building is a steel-framed structure throughout, with concrete floors, ceilings, and walls, the only woodwork being doors and skirting and the jarrah flooring that covers the concrete floors. The building can be safely described as absolutely proof. The flat roof has a neuchatel dressing on the concrete. The development of this type of building is a striking example of the application of engineering principles and common sense to architecture. The structural steel work is a testimonial to the architect’s realisation of the development of modern building construction, and also to the technical ability of the contractor in charge of the work.

The top floor has now been completed. All the available floor space has been taken by the University Club, the members of which will soon enjoy club life in surroundings more palatial and better equipped than those at present in service as the club in Dowling street. A large lounge and general smoking and reading room occupies the front of the flat overlooking the street. Across the landing at, the rear of the block is the dining room, large and well lighted, and commanding an unprecedented view of suburban Dunedin and the harboui The necessary kitchen and auxiliary accommodation is provided, and a new departure on the club’s part is the provision of a spacious billiard room with two tables. Two card rooms, stewards’ quarters, and conveniences take up the remainder of the flat. The rooms are heated with the central system, with the exception of the lounge, in which has been erected a large open fireplace, effectively finished in clinker brick. When decorated and furnished the club’s new premises should be unique for comfort and convenience, and a wonderful improvement upon the cramped quarters in which it has carried on for so long. The _ fourth, third, and second floors are still in the process of construction, the contractors working from the top down. The fourth floor shows what the remainng two will be. It has been subdivided into offices at the back, and large suites of offices have been installed in the front. These on each floor will allow

of subdivision to suit tenants, having been designed with that end in view. The necessary strong rooms and conveniences have been provided on each floor. The question of lighting has been kept in mind. Large front and rear windows provide plenty of sunshine and light, and other parts of the building likely to become dull are served by a light well running from top to bottom of the block. At the rear of the main block is the annexe, which has been reconstructed from the original building. The tea rooms themselves are crowned by a beautifullydecorated leadlight roofing, and are stirrounded by a wide balcony for use as an overflow or for dancing. A well-furnished and decorated lounge opens off the main entrance, and leads into the restaurant, which numbers among its features a beau-tifully-arranged specially constructed banquet hall, decorated with a simplicity as striking as it is appealing. It is doubtful whether a better and wider panoramic view of Dunedin city and suburbs can be had anywhere than that from the flat roof of the Queen’s Chambers. Pine Hill, Opoho and Mount Cargill in the north, the hill suburbs straight in front, the St. Kilda and St. Clair flats to the south, and the harbour and bay suburbs to the rear can be taken in in one quick glance. The entire length of George and Princes streets stretches out in a long straight line many feet beneath, and on every side the visitor can pick out with the utmost .ease all the architectural and natural sights of Dunedin.