BIG BUILDING SCHEME.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 24, 23 October 1907, Page 9

BIG BUILDING SCHEME.

CITY HILLSIDE UTILISATION. ,: The .marked incrcaso in tho.value of city property, during - recent, years 1 has irado every--yard . of. : land', regardless of its physical character, of some dofijiite • sorvico tb its owner. Apropos of this,, ; a big building scheme is boing entered upon by "Messrs. It. Hannah: and Company,: which . firm, 'has ovolved a capital idea of utilising its portion ■of the steep hillside which forms tho western frontage for a considerable, part of the Wellington Terrace.For many years this bank , —really , an old-tiino cutting" to givo a greater, proportion of flat land to 1 the Lambton Quay properties,: , which . extend from' The Terrace ..to-. town—was a : gorse-grown Wilderness, .that in', summer-time constituted a serious-tiro risk iii its .connection., with the properties below. Only a year ago the big lire on Lambton Quay was aided, and abetted by the vegetable growth on the bank, and it was ..held that it . .was...by such . . means that tho fire crept ..round ■ from ,one; side.-ob.the...Tro'cadero and ..fired the old Commercial Hotel., The risk was considered serious, enough to warrant underwriters demanding that owners of properties along a stretch of the Quay, should clear away the gorse.and fennel, that flourished so > dangerously. :'. r • , .••• Mr. Hannah's. scheme consists of, the erection of a six-storied : building .with, a 67ft. frontage to Lambton Quay (taking in those properties betwee-; and including Orr's pharmacy and. the premises at present occupied by Messrs." Whitcombo'and Tombs),' by a' depth' of -00ft., and'then-raising tho top story of tho: big factory, \ adding another story to the same, and. oxtending.it right, , 'oack to ;The Torraco,; and erecting on the roof a . huge modern boardinghouso, that is to- contain somo seventy rooms (including , offices).,, In this manner the full depth of tho firm's very valuable property -will bo utilised. The big building that will front Lambton .Quay will havo, an- attractive: elevation of red-pressed brick, relieved with cement facings, and will contain a number of fine shops and numerous. offices, which, from their contral position, should find tonnants readily enough. Tho factory at tho rear is already-five stories high, but is to be strengthened throughout with new piles and pillars to sustain the weight of another story and; tho building that is to be erectod at The Torraco ond of the roof. This building, being .outside' the brick- area, will bo a woodon structure,, two stories-high on The . Terrace frontage, sinking , to three stories behind,'.and the ,remainder of the factory's cohcroto, roof will constitute ah airy backyard. The-front building has been designed on modern lines, with passenger and goods elevators, and a bulk goods lift will travel-tho height.of tho.factory. Additional access to tho factory and boardinghouso from tho Quay has been provided for by an exterior stairway (that will havo a landing opposite each floor) that flanks tho northern side of-tho, building, its 130 steps terminating at Tho Tcrrac'e. An ontranco to this stairway will bo provided by a sixfoot right-of-way, thrco foot of-which has been dedicated for tho purpose by Messrs. Hannah and Company, and Messrs. Skcrrett and Wylio, owners of tho. adjoining property. Tho total depth ,of Mr. : Hannah's property ,is 106 ft. (from tho, Quay .to Tho Tcrrnco), 'and while thorn is a 67ft. frontago to the Quay, tho _ width broadens at tho factory to 87ft. . , ' The plans for this big building scheme havo been prepared by Messrs. Pcnty and ISlalse, who' announce that tenders will close on November 8. f