HANDSOME CITY STRUCTURE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 974, 15 November 1910, Page 7

HANDSOME CITY STRUCTURE.

- . NEW LAW OFFICES. The handsomo and commodious building in Brandon Street erected for the legal firm of Chapman, Skerrett, Wylie, . and Tripp, is to be handed over: by the contractors on. Monday next—well within contract time. The • building, which has been erected by Messrs. Watts Brothers from plans prepared by Mr. F. de J. Clere, is a soliilly-built structure- of ferroconcrete, having" a frontage to Brandon Street of 60ft. by a maximum depth of 85ft., whilst the height from the ground to tho highest point of tho building (tho motor-tower over the electric elevation well) is 72ft. Tho building has a foundation of ferro-concreto piles, most of which wero successfully drivh about soventeen days after their manufacture. The architect has made a feature of the lighting, which is excellent throughout. To effect this, very largo windows were provided on the street frontage, leaving only room for bands of rod dressed brick between tho sashes, and a little, judiciously, picked out ornamental work on the floor lines. Tho facade terminates in a balustraded laranct nicely in keeping with the simple architectural scheme. Within, one is impressed with the solidity of the structure. Hugo ferro-concrete columns are carried through to the top. Tho walls are of ferro-concreto, and the same method'of construction is used in the solid . half-walls on either sido of tho stairway, which winds round the lift well in ' tho centre of the building. Each floor has a complete set of offices, and two large strong-rooms, nil conveniently executed. The interior finish is of plaster tinted with distemper. The stairs are of grey "Arkelite," a granite-like composition calculated to wear against time. As tho floors aro of ferro-concrcte, the building is practically iire-proof. The handsome electric elevator (burnished copper finish) was supplied by Messrs. Turnbull and Jones; the asphaltfor the ila , : Toof (which affords a splendid outlook) by the Neuchatel Company; tho plumbing was executed by Messrs. Lovisham and Wells, and the painting by Mr. T. A. Wells; tho patent stairs by the Hudson Fireproof Company, and the plastering by the contractors themselves. Tho building is fitted throughout with telephonettes (radiating from a common exchange), and hot water radiators. Tho owners are to occupy tho three top stories, and the ground floor, which boasts handsomo sho.v windows, is to he let for commercial purposes. Tho contract price wns £11,000. The handsome, oiled rimu fittings now being erected in tho offices are an extra. Messrs. Chapman, Skervett, Wylic, and 'i'ripp expect ,to assume occupation of their new offices within the next fortnight. |