NEW WAREHOUSE

Southland Times, Issue 21949, 25 February 1933, Page 7

NEW WAREHOUSE

W. STRANG AND CO.’S BUILDING. PROGRESSIVE POLICY. Undoubted faith in the future prosperity of the Dominion in general and Southland in particular is evidenced in the new furniture warehouse erected by Messrs W. Strang and Co. at the corner of Esk and Kelvin streets, Invercargill. The firm of W. Strang and Co. is one of the oldest-established in Invercargill and the progressive policy displayed by the management in designing and manufacturing furniture of originality and distinction is responsible for the rapid growth and continued popularity of the company. With this expansion came the necessity for more commodious and up-to-date premises and now that these have been completed W. Strang and Co. can honestly boast possessing one of the largest and most modern furniture warehouses in the Dominion.

The structure, which was planned by Mr A. C. Ford, is most modern in every possible detail. The floor area of the original building is 3720 square feet and the new block gives an additional 6430 square feet, making the total floor area of the premises 10,150 square feet, which is one of the largest areas in the South Island for a building used solely for furniture display. The construction of the addition has been carefully designed so as to minimize any possible danger from earthquake or other causes, and consists of reinforced concrete framings with specially designed brickwork at infillings. The exterior elevation has been made to conform with the original design, making the whole structure a massive, dignified and complete building.

The interior is constructed of steel and timber, and plastered throughout and with fibrous plaster ceilings. Special attention has been given to the lighting, both daylight and artificial. Office accommodation occupies a central and convenient position which gives control over the whole area. Shop windows have been incorporated in the Kelvin street frontage and certain portions left in brickwork to allow for interior display. A verandah on modern lines has been carried round the two frontages.

The contractors for the additions were Messrs Gray Bros., who have been freely complimented on the excellent manner in which they have carried out this contract, the whole being designed and erected under the supervision of Mr Allan C. Ford, architect. To enable the public to inspect their new premises the building will be thrown open to the public for inspection to-day and next week, and those who are interested in home-planning and furnishing should not fail to avail themselves of the opportunity of inspecting the various displays of furniture and furnishings which will be made.

Various complete rooms of all kinds will be realistically shown exactly as they would appear in the home and some of the exhibits will include plain walnut, figured walnut and oak suites as well as other woods. A walnut bedroom suite—modem to the minute —will attract great interest, while some Jacobean suites and a coloured beech twin-bed bedroom suite will be displayed for the first time in Invercargill. Besides the furniture exhibits the very latest in soft furnishings, carpets, the very latest bed-spreads, cushions, etc., will be shown. It is to be noted that Messrs W. Strang and Co. specialize in one trade and one trade only—the art of home furnishing in all its' branches. Direct importers of all furnishing goods not made in the Dominion, they also manufacture bedding and furniture in their own factories in Invercargill. Their manufacturing staff, exclusive of sales and office staff, totals twenty-six, so it will be seen that W. Strang and Co. are very large manufacturers.

A cordial invitation is extended to the public to inspect the new premises and the displays. No one will be pressed to purchase and the building and the goods will be well worth seeing.