NEW CITY OFFICES

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 90, 10 January 1935, Page 10

NEW CITY OFFICES

Modernising Cuba Street Building

START WITH WORK

Accommodation For Staff of Department

For over a quarter of a century the Tramway and Electric Lighting Department of the City Council has been boused in premises that are ooth out of the way and totally inadequate for the conduct of the many phas< s of business contact with the public. For over twelve years past there has been the intention of providing new offices, showroom and workshop premises. At one time a property in Upper Willis Street was discussed as .'me likely to suit, and later part of the land on which “The Dominion” ollie'- stands was suggested as an ideal sire for the purpose. Later still it was mentioned that provision might be made for the Tramways and Electric Lighting Department in the proposed municipal block immediately to the westward of and adjoining the Town Hall. None of these proposals materialised Warehouse Premises Purchased. Perhaps it was just as well, for last year the City Corporation was able to purchase the extensive warehouse promises of Macky, Logan, and Caldwell, in Lower Cuba Street (five stories and a basement) for £36,000. Such a building, a few yards only from the junction of Cuba and Manners Streets, and only a hundred yards from the Town Hall, was a real catch in sites and buildings, as the former is in close touch with the main street public, and tne latter is a substantial modern reinforced concrete building with an extensive floorage, and entrances back and front. The department has now accepted the tender of Mr. A. Lemmon to carry out fSj work of interior alteration to suit the purposes of the various branches of the department. A start was made with the work yesterday. The contract price is just under £12.000, the work to be completed in three months time. Caretaker’s Cottage. For some time past the Council itself has been erecting a five-roomed caretaker’s cottage on the roof. This is not included in Mr. Lemmon’s contract. The cottage is, however, a model of its kind with up-to-date fittings and Conveniences, and one would imagine that the caretaker will take every care not to lose so comfortable a little home, set so conveniently in the v-:ry centre of the city. Mr. Lemmon set his men to work this week excavating a ramp entrance to the cellar at the rear of the building. The spoil for a certain distance is reclaimed land (with a good deal of rubbish), but underneath there is good, solid ground. This will provide a motor lorry entrance to the building for goods and heavy lifts of all kinds wanted in and for the building. The only building work to be done in the basement will be the provision of a storeroom in front and a switchboard apartment for the electric controls. Major Alterations. The most drastic alterations are those to be made on the ground floor. The present main entrance is to be done, away with altogether, and the space it occupies is to be converted into a large arched window of plate glass. Then, in architectural sympathy ornate windows of modernistic design are to replace those in position. A new entrance, with handsome glass doors, ornamental with panels of chromium steel bars (on the oblique) is to be provided at the southern .end of the Cuba Street frontage. This entrance will admit to a new ten-foot corridor, to be panelled with very handsome grey figured marble. About halfway down the corridor—which will be fully glazed above the panelling—double doors will admit to the public pay-in office and show-room. 'This vast apartment will occupy the whole of the ground floor. Fittings of Oak. At the architraves, skirting-boards and other, wooden fittings are to be of oak, in keeping with the oaken.counters, which will be erected at right angles to Cuba Street. The rear part will be recovered for the display of all manner of electric goods, and as an apartment for demonstrating the use of same. The exterior of the ground floor js to be finished in pre-cast cement tiles, olive green in tone. «. The first floor is to be subdivided by new partitions into some fourteen offices, with ample strongroom accommodation. On the second floor the front half has been left untouched for the present. Its disposition will be decided upon later as occasion dictates. Quarters for Staff. The rear half of this floor will provide offices for Mr. F. W. Good, overhead lines superintendent, and Mr. R. 8. Maunder, assistant electrical engineer, and quarters for staff, a kitchen, etc. On the third floor the front half will remain open as at present, with the back divided info locker rooms, vestibule, a kitchen, a meter-testing room, and other apartments for the mechanical staff.

Very little alteration is proposed at present for the fourth floor. A modern elevator service is to be provided; the lighting will bo a feature, and the heating of the building will be on new electrical lines.