BUILDING EXPANSION.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 December 1925, Page 6

BUILDING EXPANSION.

OLD GIVES WAY TO NEW. DEVON STREET SHOP AND STUDIO. As New Plymouth expands the old buildings are' demolished to give way to new, and another milestone along the path of the town’s progress has been reached by the completion in Devon (Street Central of a new, modern, reinforced concrete block designated the Kash Buildings. On the ground floor, as before in the old wooden building, Mr. Lomas is carrying on business as lx clothier and mercer, and in the upper storey, Mr. W. 8. Oakley occupies one of the most modern and convenient photographic studios in the North Island. The new premises have the same frontage to Devon Street as the former, but have a depth twice as great. The facade is finished in white cement, and the verandah, of ornamented fib-rous-plaster ceiling, overlooks two large show windows in whieh lighting effects are produced by X-ray shades. Internally, the walls are finished in plaster. On the ground floor provision has been made for the showing of the various stocks to advantage, and there is ample room for the carrying on of business comfortably and expeditiously. Air. Oakley’s studio on the upper floor .is probably the largest in the North Island, 42 feet long and in parts 25 feet wide. It is conveniently lighted both by large skylights and by arc electric lighting, and presents a pleasing appearance with its white walls relieved by oiled rimu finishings. Two well-equipped dressing rooms are pro- , vidad for ladies and gentlemen respec- j lively, and outside the studio is a spacious and generously furnished recep- . tion room. Both small and large dark-rooms are fitted with the most up-to-date equipment, including a modern projection printing machine and a large ordinary printing machine which dispenses with the necessity for the sunlight that amateur photographers require. The whole suite is finished in white asbestos walls and oiled rimu, comprising premises of whieh the proprietor and public may justly be proud. Work on the new buildings has occupied about six months and will be completed this week. The building arrangements were so made that business in both establishments was carried on throughout this period, which reflects great credit on the contractors, Messrs Boon Bros. Mr. T. H. Bates was the architect.