AMBITIOUS STRUCTURE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 89, 6 July 1927, Page 12

AMBITIOUS STRUCTURE

This fine nine-storey structure is to be erected by the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows at the corner of Victoria and Hobson Streets and it shows the westward trend of the city’s building progress. The total 2ost will be about £85.000. Good progress has already been made with the work and five storeys, costing about £45,000,. will be complete in December. It is not intended to build the four top storeys at present but the foundations and the columns have been

made to bear the additional weight. Planned on modern lines, the building will have a frontage of 120 feet to Hobson Street and 104 feet 8 inches to Victoria Street. The basement will be let partly as offices and partly as a commodious motor garage with a ramp from Victoria Street. The society’s hall, of steel frame construction will extend through the ground and first floors and will be complete with gallery, large stage and separate entrance. Dressing rooms will be provided underneath. Twelve shops will also be on the ground floor, to

which there will be an ornate main entrance and a cart dock. The portion of the first floor not taken up by the'-hall will be occupied by the lodge’s offices and a restaurant. The remaining space will be let as offices. The construction is of steel frame and reinforced concrete. Two passenger elevators and goods lift will be installed. A cornice and parapet will finish off the building and pilasters will run through the shaft. The architect is Mr. Llew. S. Piper and the builders, the Fletcher Construction Company.