MESSRS. STEWART DAWSON & COMPANY'S
City Improvements The old City Landmarks of Christchurch are being replaced with buildings of importance. The new premises of MeEsrs Stewart Dawson and Co., at the corner of High and Cashel Streets, mark the latest phase significantly. i It is quite in keeping with the progressive spirit of Messrs Stewart Dawson and Co., and the various corner business positions which this well-known, longestablished firm of Jewellers occupy throughout Australasia, that they should select and *buy what is considered the best positioned corner in Christchurch. This they succeeded in doing some three years ago, notwithstanding that the premises they have occupied for many vears in High Street are of a superior character, and were built by them about fifteen years ago.
The land section on which their new premises is erected is triangular, and formed a somewhat difficult problem, but the building now in evidence leaves nothing to be desired in regard to prominence. design, planning and utility, and will substantially fill its place alongside that of' Messrs Stewart Dawson's other sevefn corner establishments in Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane.
Their two London Establishments, we understand, are not on corners, but respectively occupy the finest positions in Urgent Street and Hatton Garden, the Regent Street premises occupying a site of 120 feet frontage, and the buying and shipping establishment, in Hatton Garden is the finest building in that district, occupying a pile of 6-1: feet frontage. It is named the " Treasure House," and both' houses" are historical as being the best fitted up in Europe, for their line of business.
Reverting to tlieir new premises in Christchurch, we ought to mention that the building is chiefly built of reinforced concrete, and has a triangular frontage of 30 feet to High Street and 30 feet to Cashel Street, the height being- 60 feet from pavement to the top of parapet.
Mr. Dawson decided to spare no expense or endeavour in erecting a building that would be a credit to the City, and to carry out his schemes the firm of Messrs Collins and Harman, Architects, were appointed, by •whom the building has been admirably carried out to Mr. Dawson'B special requirements. The Building consists of four stories, with additional story on flat roof, and good basement. The design is strictly classical, the elevation is divided by handsome lonic pilasters, with finely proportioned windows, iron sashes, and fanlights over. The design of corner forms a special feature, having a handsome oriel running up three floors, finished with ornamental shield and enrichments.- The building is 'surmounted with a bold block cornice and balustrade, with vases placed over each of the. discs.
The planning, layout and scheme for the interior of building received longconsidered attention, so that the full enjoyment of light, access and utility, might be evidenced and made available. The ground floor, consisting of spacious shop, 60 feet running frontage, strong room, offices, Mezzanine ; floor behind shop, will all be used exclusively by Messrs Stewart Dawson and Co.
The spacious basement is served by a stair at back, and a lift in front, one portion is devoted to the heating apparatus, the remainder will be used by Stewart Dawsou and Co. as store and packing room.
There are two fine entrances, one from Cashel Street and one from High Street. The latter has very fine vestibule, forming immediate access to the lift and stairs serving the upper floors of the building-
The first, floor is principally devoted to & general show room, and separately connected therewith an optical department, both for Messrs Stewart Dawson and Co. These will be used in connection with the ground floor, the lift being conveniently placed for such service-
NEW PREMISES. CHRISTCHURCH, N.Z.
The second floor has been specially planned for a dentist. Tt contains a very fine suite of rooms, well lighted workshop, and every necessary essential for a dentist's service, for which purpose these rooms are believed to be the finest in New Zealand.
The third floor is laid out as general offices, which may be rented single or in suites, the light to every office being exceptionally good. The whole of the front offices and rooms will enjoy the finest vantage view point in the City. They face several streets leading up to them from the Railway Terminus, and from other directions.
ground glass. The •window bottoms ars finished -with highly polished parquetry. The vestibule in High Street forms a work of utility and art. A very striking effect, has been produced by completing the work with an exceedingly handsome overhead ornamental glass and leaded light dome, connecting up the whole o£tho show cases and windows in. the vestibule. i
The ton floor has been specially planned as a photographic studio, with special accommodation for even* purpose, including printing and dark rooms, and all provided with a splendid supply of water, in ■connection therewith a range of very fine exhibition cases is available in entrance vestibule.
The whole building is heated by hot water system, radiat-ors placed in every room- To minimise fire risks the floors, walls, ceilings -and partitions are all of concrete. The building is practically fireproof. The following Christchurch firms have been engaged on the building and work connected therewith :—Taylor, contractor: Bradley Bros., Colville Bros.. P. and D. Duncan, Hatherley Bros., Andrew Lees, McCully, Inder and Coulter, Turnbull and Jones, Strange and Co., Yale and Co.
The Elegant Shop Fronts are entirely of new formation. They are made of bronze framework, traversing the whole frontage and vestibules, glazed with best British Plate and surmounted with two very fine friezes of rich ornamental leaded lights, embossed with gold lettering. The window sills, which rest on veined dark marble, are embellished with bronze, metal carbels and name plates- The Photographers' and Dentists' display show cases in main vestibule, High Street, are constructed in complete harmonv.
In the arrangement of the interior fit-' tings the space has been utilised to the; best possible advantage, also an attrac-,' tive display has been formed in a centrali group of curved fronted counters and' show cases. These, together with a number of other show counters and wall cases, form the maximum means and facility for display of the .Jeweller and Silversmith's manufactures. This part, of the work has been carried out,by Messrs Duff Bros., of Melbourne, according to Mr. Stewart Dawson's initial instructions, and we must compliment Messrs Duff on their superior workmanship throughout. Mr D. Stewart Dawson rnnst s\irely be complimented for giving Christehurch. these beautiful new premises, and in such a distinguishable position, forming as they do an acquisition to the City, and particularly so to its business centre. Mr. Dawson's forty-six years of strenuous activity, we are pleased to observe, has not impaired his universally recognised business acumen. Evidently born, to become the future man of constructive ability, as well as the successful man of business, is evidenced by the presence and character of his nine other establishments and their abiding history. We may here appropriately remark that. Mr. Dawson's enthusiastic temperament, his devotion to architectural subjocts, including the idealistic planning and fittings arrangements of his business establishments, creates for him a never end-
The window enclosures are of selected walnut, richly polished and intersected with bevelled mirrored and embossed
ing source of interest and amusement,
which he finds blends well with and re» I lieves the toils pf every-day general business. Mr. Dawson, however, informs us of being repeatedly told that his new
premises in Christchurch transcend in im-
portance local requirements, to which he has replied that his anticipations o£ tho
future of Christchurch will assimilate in full his preparedness- Mr. Dawson fully recognises the view that there should be no resting place in business affairs—thai what is new to-day (he remarks) should be scrapped to-morrow if something better can be produced.
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Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16155, 8 March 1918, Page 9
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1,305MESSRS. STEWART DAWSON & COMPANY'S Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16155, 8 March 1918, Page 9
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