NEW BUILDINGS.

Southland Times, Issue 3299, 16 January 1879, Page 2

NEW BUILDINGS.

+ At no previous period in the history of Invercargill have so many large and permanent buildings been in course of erection as at the present moment. In all our chief thoroughfares old wooden buildings are being demolished to make room for elegant, substantial structures of a much more durable character, and at the present rate of progression, our chief streets will in a very few year.3 indeed have undergone a complete metamorphosis. Every advantage is being taken of the present season for pushing building operations forward as rapidly as possible, and the lapse of three months will see several of the premises now in course of construction completed and occupied. Not only, however, are there a large number of buildings in hand at the present moment, but a great number of others are projected, and the trades interested promise to have their hands full for some time to come. Taking the buildings as a whole, a genuine artistic ability has been displayed in the treatment of the elevations, while the designs are pleasingly varied, and the workmanship in every case is of that superior character which is requisite in buildings occupying central positions in so important and progressive a town as this. One of the most imposing of the hew edifices when completed will be that which is being erected, from designs- by Mr Burwell, for Mr W. H. Hall, at the junction of Esk and Dee streets. The building is to be three stories high, and the main portion of the structure has almost reached its full height. This, however,- is to be surmounted by a tower with ■a. fall elevation from the ground of GOft, while the outline will be further relieved and varied by corner turrets. On the ground' floor towards Dee street, three shops will be constructed, while the superstructure will afford accommodation for offices, and other business purposes. Mr Burwell's design for the structure, taken on its individual merits, is worthy of every commendation, but to perceive its true^aasthetical effect it is requisite we should judge of it in relation to that more complete and ambitious design of which it forms so important a feature. From Esk street to Dee street will, when the architects intention is carried into effect be one splendid block of buildings with a row of fine shops on the ground floor and offices above. The' central portion of this block, the major part of which is already completed,* is free from any excessive ornamentation, but though somewhat plaiu, it is exceedingly neat and thoroughly substantial looking in appearance, while Mr Hall's building at the comer of Esk street, and the corresponding structure at the corner of Don street, will form highly appropriate wings to the block. At the opposite corner of Dee and Esk streets another important block of business premises is .to be erected "for Mr J. T. -Thomson, from plans by Mr Burwell. These buildings will be uniform in design, and will extend from Mr Todd's saleroom in theformer street to Mr McDonald's warehouse in the latter. Tenders have been invited for the first, portion of this block, consisting of a handsome shop au,d offices to. be erected on

the site rendered vacant by the fire which destroyed the late office of this journal. By the; courtesy of the architect we have been -permitted! to view the plans for this building, and they indicate not only that this individual structure will have a fine exterior appearance and admirably arranged interior accommodation, but that the block, as a whole, will be a credit to the town in the prominent position which it will occupy. : In Esk street, near to the railway station, the capacious new warehouse and offices which are to be occupied by the firm of Messrs Murray, Dalgleish & Co;, are rapidly approaching completion, and it is anticipated that within a couDle of months the structure will be out of thehands of the contractor, Mr D. Stewart. The building has been erected' from plans prepared by Mr Angus Kerr, and when .completed it will form an imposing feature in what, from its vicinity to the railway station, must always -be one of the leading thoroughfares of the town. At the time building operations were commenced upon this warehouse we furnished .details respecting^its character and capacity, and it will .suffice therefore to state that it promises to realise all the anticipations which were then formed as to its being a building worthy of the growing commercial importance of Invercargill. Further "to the east in Esk street another important building, which is being erected on the site ; of .the old Athol Arms Hot<*l, is in jra advanced stage. The structure consists of a handsome suite of offices for Mr James Harvey, and a largew, shop* offices; and warehouse for Mr Johirjr Hare, merchant. The plans were prepared by Mr Burwell, and the style adopted is modern gothic, the treatment of details being highly artistic. The work of erection has been entrusted to Mr A. Menziesj and no expense will be spared to render the buildines complete in every respect. The structure will be two stories in height, and the uniformity of design is preserved, so far as is practicable with the presence of ashop in the front elevation. The whole of the furniture and fittings in Mr -Harvey's chambers are to be of a character compatible with the gothic style of the building, and it is to be made .--from designs specially prepared by the JPehitecfc. The new theatre, Which has been erected by Messrs. Sloan and Sons on the site of the old Exchangein Dee street,* has approached that stage of completion which enables an accurate judgment to be formed of the appearance it will present when finished. The exterior is too familiar to the inhabitants of the town to attract special notice, but it will be improved and renovated by the painter's art in a manner to render if, worthy of the. handsome interior. . Of the capacity of the building, a better impression will be formed from the fact that it will accommodate an audience of from 1200 to 1500 persons than from any mere dimensions. The one fault of the auditorium is its narrowness, but in any other respect it would.be difficult for the most critical to find a fault, while taken altogether it will be as comfortable and completely appointed a temple of the drama as can be "found in the colonies. From the ground floor or pit an excellent view of the stage is obtained, while the dress-circle is exceptionally capacious and comfortable. The stage is sufficiently, large^f or all ordinary purposes, and beneath it there is a suite of dressing-rooms, provided with every convenience for performers. A stage-carpenter is at present busily engaged fitting up. the necessary mechanical arrangements for the scenery, traps, and • other jnatters. incidental to a properly constructed stage. In connection with the building are - handsome retiring and refreshment rooms, {while ample means of egress even in. the case of any accident are provided. The decorations of the interior wiU.be exceptionally elaborate, and the lighting will be provided for by splendid crystal gasaliers, suspended from the roof. The accoustic properties of the building can only be decided by practical test, and several early opportunities will be afforded the public.of judging from experience in this matter. The elegant structures in Tay street, in which the Bank of New Zealand and the Union; Bank of Australia are henceforth to be located, will both probably be completed ready for occupa- _^ tion in about three months. The first-named -~" is a massive structure, with rich ornamentation fully in keeping with the general design, which is at once original, striking, and, from an architectural point of view, very beautiful. The building when completed will be pre-eminently well suited for the purpose to which it is to;be devoted, both in exterior appearance and internal arrangement. The ceiling of the public room is unique in this district, the beautiful plaster mouldings having all been executed by a highly experienced workman. The fittings of the bank will be in keeping with the general character of the structure, and, as designed, are of a very handsome and massive kind. For greater convenience in the transaction of business, the teller's counter will •be semicircular in form. The whole of the work in connection with this edifice has been executed in the colony, with the one exception of the gasfittings, for which the Home market had of necessity to be patronised. In the execution of all works, indeed, with which he is professionally connected, Mr Burwell follows a highly commendable principle, namely that of utilising colonial industries in every possible instance. The new building for the Union Bank forms a striking contrast in style and apppearance, but is of no less admirable design; The beautiful white Oamaru stone of : which the front is constructed renders the edifice exceedingly beautiful, while chaste stone-carving will perfect its appearance. As in the case of the other bank the fittings will be elegant and appropriate. Both banks reflect the highest credit on the architect, Mr Burwell, and must greatly enhance his already high reputation in this town. The contractor for the whole of the works in connection with the Bank of New Zealand is Mr John Ramsay, and for the Union Bank Mr David Stewart. In Dee streeet a shop is being erected from, plans prepared by Messrs McKenzie and Ridley, on one of the sites rendered vacant by the recent fire. The premises, when finished, are to be occupied by Mr Miller, tailor. Immediately contiguous a new place of business is to be erected for Mx.*^ Condon, baker, from plans by Mr Burwjfl], This last building forms one of a. row of /six, which it is proposed to erect from the site of Mr Condon's premises to the corner of YaJpw tl street. The design is an exceedingly neat one, and perfect uniformity will be preserved throughout. A large new three-storey warehouse for Messrs Guthrie and Lamach is expected to be commenced next month. Of buildings other than those for business purposes there are a very large number in hand, but we may mention a very handsome residence which is being erected by Mr James Ramsay, contractor, from plans by Mr Burwell, for Mr Peter McKellar, at Wellesley, near Gladstone, and another for Mr Waterston, sawmiller, at the top of Gala street. Of recent building improvements without the borough, the elegant front, with verandah and balcony, which has been added to Clifton's Hotel at Gladstone, and the splendid new house erected by Mr Purdie at Diptonj are worthy of particularisation. The latter house is one of the finest to be found in the district. Both these latter works were executed from plans by Mr Burwell. Such is a feswrne of the present condition of the principal new buildings in course of erection in the town, and their number and importance fully confirms the of t-reiterated statement that Inyercargill is now practically "going ahead."