NEW BANK BUILDING

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19545, 6 April 1935, Page 6

NEW BANK BUILDING

ERECTION IN HAMILTON. ESTIMATED COST OF £8250. WORK COMMENCES IMMEDIATELY* ______ 'p w K w \ At an estimated cost of £8250, the contract for the erection of premises for the Commercial 'Bank of Australia, Limited, has been let to Messrs Street and Street, of Hamilton, and work on [he site in Victoria Street, adjoining the Union Bank of Australia and the Bank of Australasia will be commenced immediately. The property was purchased by the bank in September 1933 from the estate of the late Mr L. W. W. Brown for £5300. A two-slorey earthquake-proof building in ferro-concrete and steel on a frontage of 49 feet with a depth of 73 feel is provided for In the plan 3 drawn up by the architects Messrs Clere and Clere, of Wellington. The banking chamber, of commodious dimensions, will be situated on the ground floor, entrance being obtained by a vestibule adjacent to the Union Bank, while two further entrances on the frontage will give admittance to the other portions of the building which are to be let as offices.

The building will be used entirely for commercial purposes, no provision having been made for the accommodation of the manager or staff and the entire upper floor as well as half of the ground floor will be tenanted by commercial firms. The building is to be centrally heated, the boiler room being situated with the strongrooms in the basement. A book-lift will be employed to transfer documents and other paraphernlia from the basement to the hanking chamber. On Old Foundations. Some years ago a project for the erection of a block of shops and offices was commenced on the site but operations were suspended after some months’ work, leaving the par-tially-completed basement and its foundations. These will be utilised in the construction of the bank. Several modern 'features of design are Incorporated In the specifications. In addition to the modern features of ferro-concrete design there are several points of aesthetic Importance. A handsome facade will adorn the entrance to the hanking chamber while fibrous plaster cornices and other attractive mouldings and architectural embellishments will enhance the interior. Japanese oak Is to be employed In all the joinery work in the banking offices.

Messrs. Edgecumbe and White, of Hamilton, are the supervising architects, while Mr Edward McAneny, of Wellington, has been appointed clerk of works.