THE NEW EMPIRE HOTEL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4835, 29 October 1883, Page 4

THE NEW EMPIRE HOTEL.

The newly-ereoted Empire Hotel, whioh has just been completed and opened by Mr Biohardson, is an addition to the superior olass of hotel aooommodation in Christchuroh whioh is worthy of mention. The building itself is anothor of those substantial structures of briok and stone, whioh tae supplanting the time-honoured but now decaying wooden buildings whioh did good service before the Oity attained ite majority. Tho new hotel is of three storeys and a basement, the latter being filled up as a spacious private bar, with adjoining sitting-rooms, and appropriately styled "The Dive." 3 here are three front entrances to the building ; one leading to tbe Dive before-mentioned, another to the publio bar, acd a third and principal entrance leading into the hotel properly so oalled. Adjoining tho publio bar are several compartments partitioned off with a view to securing seleotaeßo and privacy, a passage leading from the bar communicates with two oomfortable sitting-rooms and the publio lavatory. The hotel accommodation, which ia especially intended to meet the wants of tho commercial and travelling public, is tho main feature of the house. Entering by the main doorway the visitor finds himßelf in a spaoious hall about 40ft by 9ft, lit by windows of embossed glass, decorated with devices in vitremanie, the work being exceliontly done by Mr B. Atkinson, of this City. On the left is the grand Btaireose, with banisters of green broezed iron, capped with a cedar rail, the whole being of elegant design. The lavatory, entered from undor tho staircase, iB fitted with the most modern improvements, including patent tilting band basins. The dining-room at the end of the hall is a handsome room lit by embossed glass and decorated windows, sitting accommodation being ordinarily provided for 40 persons, which may be extended. Suspended above the oentral table are three well finished gasaliera. The mantel of thia room is another good sample of looal manufacture, made in composition, imitating marble, by Mr T. Andrews. Asoending the staircase, at the landing on the first floor ia the commercial room, 30ft by 18ft, a spacious chamber furnished in morocco. A notioeahle feature in this room is tho gaßalier, made by Messrs Burt and Co., of Dunedin, a massive and elegant pieoe of work iv brass, decorated with figures of Maoris standing beneath ; spreading fern leaves and models of kakas at the bead of eaoh of the limp brackets. On the first floor are three suites of rooms and four single bedrooms. The Becond floor iB devoted to single bedrooms, 18 in all. Bath-rooms and lavatories are on each of the upper floors. Electrio bells are in every room of the houee, aad fire- prevention has not been forgotten, a hoße and nozzle being attaohed to tho water-pipes, which oonduot a supply from the tanks above in the oorridora of the seoond and third storeys. The furniture is complete in every room, and the arrangementa for aeoommodation perfeot — not omitting the kitchen, which is fitted with one of Watterß* best ranges, and presided over by an accomplished chef. The hotel was designed by Mr A. W. Simpson. Mes»ra Carmichael and Son were contractors for the building; Mr Andrews for the postering, end Messrs Taylor and Cekloy for the plumbirg. The electric bell apparatus was fitted up by Mr A. Smith, and under the architect's superintendence tho whole work has been creditably performed.