SKY-SCRAPERS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1921, 2 December 1913, Page 8

SKY-SCRAPERS.

NEW YOSIK AND SYDNEY COMPARED. "If you desiro to see sky-scrapers, visit New York City," says Jlr. .John B. S]?oncer, tho well-known Sydney architect, who returned last week after a nine mouths' tour in Europe and America. 'Uintcr by tho Hudson Kiver, and after passing Ihe great, statue of Lib-' erty, you have in view the tallest buildings in tho world, towering in tho skyline. In all tbo leading avenues and streets there arc many such buildings, 20 to 30 storeys in height, replete with every comfort and convenience for tho tourist. l;i these is to bo found the most modern sanitary arrangements and phtiiibii'g work of llto highest class. The two Central llailwav Stations, the Grand Central and 'the Pennsylvania, are both magnificent buildings, tlm latter being built almost wholly of various marbles and mosaic work, and I doubt if this building can be surpassed anywhere in tho wide world for its beauty and tho general convenience of its patrons. From the. clock tower of the Metropolitan Life liuilding, in Madison Square, most extensive, views of the city, harbour, river, ami of New Jersey City can be seen, which reminds one of Sydney, hemmed in, as it is, by the harbour, of the reasons why the sky-scrapers will iiild a home in this city. Every sky-scraper is an up-to-date building, and accommodates and draws many from other buildings, which the traveller quickly recognises, as he observes i:i bo many directions 'Flats to Let.' Talking with business men, ono is impressed with the fact that if, is tho opinion of many that a IG-story building pays better than those of tho higher type. ''Comparing Sydney with New York, the streets of Sydney are less in width, and therefore not so well adapted i'or the tallest- of New York buildings. Until our Australian cities considerably increase in population and the. streets aro adapted the 12-story building, which will reach tho height of 170 ft,, ho considers sufficiently high. Such a building would, require a thickness of walling each side of 30ni., equal fo bricks, to comply with the New York liuilding Act, being very much less than the Sydney Building Act will allow. The one important matter relating to all buildings, Especially tall buildings, is 'water-tightness' of all external walls, otherwise the stability of tho structure is endangered, and larger slocks : are liable, to thinngo from heavy rains. "1 laving had flic opportunity of visiting several skyscrapers in course of construct.'on, and watching the progress or the work, ic is evident the methods adopted are entirely successful, and at , the same tiino preserve the steel work from dampness." Since visiting New York Mr. Spencer is more than ever impressed with the i'aet that 12-story buildings for the Sydney thoroughfares arc high enough, but he would favour 11 stories at important cornels, if arrangements could be made for harmonious treatment. 110 found no better work cither in New Y'ork or Louden than in Sydney.