FLATS IN MAITLAND STREET

Evening Star, Issue 22450, 22 September 1936, Page 2

FLATS IN MAITLAND STREET

BLOCK OF SIX ERECTED PLEASING AND ATTRACTIVE DESIGN Yet another block of flats has been added to the increasing list of this typo of residence erected in Dunedin in recent years. The latest installation is represented by a pleasing and attractively designed block of six self-con-tained flats in Upper Maitland street. (Exterior views are illustrated.) Mr

G. Moody is the originator of the scheme, the successful realisation of which has been made practicable to a largo degree by the favourable situation of the site. The site is on the north side of the street and full advantage has been taken to place the living room in each flat at the rear of the building in order to receive the maximum sunshine andat the same time command an excellent view over the harbour and the city. Some of the bedrooms are also favourably situated in this respect. Ample open spaces surrounding the building conform to the requirements of the new city by-laws governing the erection of flats, and their layout is such that, when the gardens and lawns have been constructed, the whole scheme will be so artistic in character that even those people with the strongest aversion to flats will be forced to reconsider their views. The exterior of the building strikes a rather new note in domestic design—the severity of modern lines being relieved by architectural adornment which closely resembles the picturesque effects of Spanish architecture. A delightful feature of the scheme is the paved court, of spadoils dimensions, in the front of the building, and over which access is gained to each flat through entrance porches attractively arched and liberally ornamented by the use of pre-cast stone. The rear garden court, measuring 40ft x 21ft, will be laid down in lawn, thus providing the occupants of the building with a much brighter outlook than is often the ease with flats. _ The building is solidly constructed in double brick, the external finish being relieved in cream-textured plaster, and the .whole given a pleasing and dignified appearance by a glazed tile roof. Internal finishes consist of plastered walls —papered in the living rooms and painted in the bathrooms and kitchenettes—on the ground floor, and of fibrous plaster walls on the upper floors. All of the ceilings are in fibrous plaster simply and attractively designed in geometrical panels with stepped cornices. Each hall is panelled in wood._ Two of the flats comprise a living room (17ft x 14ft), with an adjoining sun alcove (Bft x 7ft), dining room (14ft x 12ft 6in), two bedrooms (14ft x 12ft 9in and 13ft x 10ft 6in), hall (17ft x Bft), and a small but efficiently designed kitchenette. In some of the other flats the dining room has been eliminated, the sun alcove adjoining the living room being considered sufficient for general dining purposes. Each kitchenette is fitted with bins, adjustable shelves, drawers, and a gas range for cooking, while the sun alcoves are fitted with the folding type of windows which provide an uninterrupted opening. The laundry is in a separate building and is fitted with tubs, gas copper, and electric washing machine, while two garages have been provided at each end of the section to complete a scheme which is essentially up to date in every detail. The architect for the work was Mr H. M‘Dowell Smith, and the builder Mr 11. Mitchell.