TOWN IMPROVEMENTS.

Colonist, Volume XXXV, Issue 7227, 25 January 1892, Page 1 (Supplement)

TOWN IMPROVEMENTS.

MR. FRANKLYN'S BUILDINGS, HARDY STREET.

(From ' The Colonist,' Jan. 9th.) The oompletion of a couple of handsome enopß in Hardy street, two doors to the west of Mr J. p. Oooke's Boyal Bine House, not only filla a blank that has existed since the disastrous fire that occurred about twelve months ago, but also adds very greatly to the appearanoe of this part of the Town. Hardy street has been the scene of several noiioeable improvements of late, and following the erection by Mrß Anstice of the handsome mile liner's shop, known as St. Albans' House, three doow west of Mr Snodgrass 1 establishment, at the corner of Oollingwood street, we have now to refer to Mr Franklyn'a fine shop?. The two buildings alluded to are

similar in design, but, though adjacent, |are distinct buildings wholly disoonneoted. Each has a street frontage of 20 feet, the depth ol the shop being 40 feet, and taking the front elevation the height to the top of the parapet is thirty-five feet. The architect adopted a highly ornamental style with handsome front for eaoh building. Access to either shop is gained by a double door fitted with plate glass, there being deeply recessed windows on eaoh side of the door. The height of eaoh shop from floor to oeiling is 13 feet, and an appartment of similar dimensions and equal loftiness is situate above each shop. In the western shop access is gained to the upper floor by means of a fine staircase ascending from the centre of the shop, but in the eastern shop a similar staircase springs from the left hand side of the shop as one enters. Eaoh of the upper floors is lighted by a pair of semi-circular headed windows, with heavily moulded finishings, and above the space between each pair of windows is a handsome pediment, with carved trusses, and oarved and moulded pilasters at each angle. The shops, as well as the rooms above them, are match-lined throughout, and at the rear of each shop is a warehouse 25ft in depth by lift in width, and 10ft in height, leaving a convenient yard fitted with water closets and necessary conveniences, while the whole of the premises are thoroughly drained in the most efficient and approved manner. As we have already intimatod the buildings are completely detaohed, the dividing walls being quite independent, and the whole exterior of eaoh building, save the front, is oovered with corrugated iron, the division walls having iron on each side. At the back of each of these premises there is a considerable depth of land available for the erection of stabling or other conveniences, and we learn that Mrs Franklyn has purchased the adjacent section formerly belonging to Mr Foy, and that it is intended to provide a right of way between the buildings alluded to and any other buildings. Mr Stead Ellis was the architect for these buildings, and Mr J. Scott was the contractor for their erection, painting, papering, &o. It is scaroely necessary to state tben that they are well and faithfully built. The timber used has been all rimu and totara. Handsome and substantial verandahs have been erected in front of the shops, tnese verandahs being fitted with cast iron ornamentation. Gas and vva er have baen laid on to the buildings, and we understand that Mr Franklyn its offering these shops at a very low rental.