BUILDING ACTIVITY

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 12, 5 April 1927, Page 7

BUILDING ACTIVITY

PROGRESS IN HAMILTON CONFIDENCE JUSTIFIED BUSINESS AREA EXPANDING (From Our Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, To-day. Hamilton continues to make rapid progress in spite of the gloomy predictions of a few pessimists whose outlook is entirely unwarranted, and a review of the building activities going on at present should be sufficient to dispel any doubts entertained concerning the future prospects of the town as a flourishing business and commercial centre. The amount of expenditure going on in the erection of substantial new buildings proves that the confidence of business men has not been misplaced and a feature of Hamilton’s expansion is the lead which commercial enterprise is giving in persuading the erection of buildings for the public utility. Business premises are commanding the attention of architects and builders just as much as residential undertakings, and a spirit of optimism in the town’s future seems to prevail. The recent Government expenditure authorised in Hamilton can be taken as a reliable indication of the town’s prosperity, when its facilities have to be extended. MANY FINE STRUCTURES The erection of the new courthouse is only one of the proposals for which expenditure has been approved. The acceptance of Mr. J. McKinnon’s tender of £13,768 for the fine new building being erected for the South British Insurance Company at the corner of Victoria and Alma Streets, marks another step in the expansion of the town. The building will be a distinctly handsome addition to the Victoria Street business area, having a frontage of 76 feet 6 inches to the main street. Work was commenced on the site yesterday morning and in eight months an excellent two-storeyed reinforced concrete structure should cover the vacant corner. The building will contain four shops and extensive office space, the South British Insurance Company occupying a suite of offices toward, the rear of the premises. The front of the building will be finished in Greek architecture. On the Alma Street side the main entrance will be situated, and a feature of the design of the corridors and vestibule is to be their panelling in marble. The floors will be laid down In rubber tiling. WORK AT HOSPITAL In four months it is anticipated that the extensive additions going on at the Waikato Hospital at a cost o. about £15.000 will be completed, making available an additional 14,000 feet of floor space. The addition, which it is understood will be used for a recovery block, comprises two 22-bed wards, auxiliary annexes and an administration block, besides a spacious verandah. The lay-out of the new building is well conceived and the work of erection is entrusted to Mr. E. N. Willoughby. A basement and storerooms are also provided for, while an added convenience is the installation of a lift. In common with other firms Messrs. House and Daking are showing their confidence in the business of Hamilton by extending their showroom to make it just double its former size, and the alterations being carried out in permanent materials are now in progress. The extension will have a flat roof, the ultimate intention being to provide a roof garden opening out from the Chequers tea-rooms. The latter improvement, however, is not projected just at present. The extension creates an additional 4,900 square feet of floor space. Other works in hand are erection of the substantial block to be known as the London Residential Flats, while a new hall to be used for drill

is being pushed on with in Knox Street for the Defence Department. Extensive alterations and renovations are being carried out on the Waikato A. and P. grounds at Claudelands, where the moving of the grandstands and renewal of existing facilities is involved. BUILDING IN TOWNSHIPS Building operations in Huntly indicate a progressive spirit in that rising township. A new town hall of brick and concrete is in course of erection at a contract price of £10,500. It will provide accommodation for about 850 in the hall, other parts being used for general municipal purposes. Of handsome design, both interior and exterior, this building should be an excellent addition to the business premises of Huntly. Tenders are being invited now for a brick two-storey buildr.ng comprising shops, offices and dwelling in Huntly. and it is expected that the work will be put in hand shortly. At Ngaruawahia the erection of a Masonic temple shortly is contemplated, following on the recent opening of a new block of shops.