A LANDMARK FOR TAY STREET

Southland Times, Issue 23513, 20 May 1938, Page 10

A LANDMARK FOR TAY STREET

Dignified Design Of New Building CITY’S PROGRESS IS EXEMPLIFIED The new buildings will form a landmark in Tay street. Dignity has been wedded to the smooth harmony of modern design and the Southland Building Society’s offices will stand as a monument not only to the, achievements of sound business methods but to the achievements of a city whose commercial security and progress are recognized throughout the Dominion. Standing in bold relief on the site formerly occupied by the Southland Hardware Company, the new premises have been constructed on modem lines throughout The frontage on Tay street of 66ft conforms to the latest developments in architectural design. The Wood street frontage is 132 ft, compared with 66ft in the old building. From the Tay street entrance to Wood street, the walls and floors are of reinforced concrete. Similar solidity is shown in the basement, which is now a parking garage, to be occupied by Messrs Watts and Grieve.

On the ground floor are placed the society’s offices, occupying an area of 95ft by 60ft, with large windows to the south, west and north. These rooms are flush-panelled throughout in Australian walnut, with flush-panelled doors and counters. The electric lighting to the main office of the society is both indirect and direct. Telephones, light wires, and so on, are all concealed in special floor trenches easy of access in the event of extensions being required. A feature of the society’s equipment is a two-story strongroom served by a steel spiral stair and fitted with steel cabinets. The strongroom doors all through the building are of the latest pattern, fitted with combination locks. SPACIOUS SHOWROOM On the remaining portion of the ground floor to the Wood street frontage is a spacious showroom, which is to be occupied by Messrs Ellis Bros, who have also a portion of the large base-

ment store served by a private stair. On the ground floor to Tay street are two offices occupied by Messrs W. A. Ott and Co. and the Standard Insurance Company. The remaining space in this section of the building is taken up by a shop occupied by the London Mantle Company. The main entrance, leading from Tay street and serving all the offices is 12ft wide, and its walls are lined with marble and plaster and finished with a curved fibrous plaster ceiling. At the end of this entrance hall are situated the lift and stairway, both of which run from the basement to the first floor. This makes it possible for a car to be parked in the basement and its owner to have direct access to his office in any part of the building. On the first floor are placed ths Southland Women’s Club rooms and an office occupied by Mr T. H. Watson, together with the society’s board room. The Women’s Club is also panelled throughout in Australian walnut, and