NEW HOTELS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1009, 19 September 1877, Page 3

NEW HOTELS.

Perhaps no portion of the city has recently undergone a more marked alteration for the better than that in the vicinity of the South Belt, where the erection of three first class hotels, and the improvements now bring carried out. to the road and paths by the City Council and Road Boards, have caused such a transformation in so short a time. Speaking particularly of the former not only must their appearance tend to favorably impress the visitor by railway, but the more substantial recommendation of comfortable quarters in three different directions, and not more than a stone’s throw from the terminus, will doubtless be as much appreciated by the fatigued traveller as by the early starter. Going eastward and taking the buildings in their order, the first that presents itself is garland’s railway hotel, a very handsome building of the semiGrecian style, having a frontage of 60ft. to Manchester street, and contiguous to the Belt. The large projecting cornice surmounting the house, with those also over the doors, and modern-sized windows on each floor, present in their stone-painted color with white facings a pleasing contrast to the green Venetian fittings of the latter. The public entrance to the bar is from the south-east corner, with a private entrance from Man chest er street. The ground floor contains a prettily fitted bar, 22ft. x 14ft.; tap parlor, 16ft. square; dining room, 18ft. square; commercial room, 22ft. x 16ft.; three private parlors, each 13ft. square (the latter rooms leading by an Bft. passage from the private entrance, and separated from the other portion of the house by folding door?) ; kitchen, 24ft. x 14ft., fitted with large range and boiler, so constructed as to supply the hath rooms up stairs, scullery, &c. The first floor is reached by a double staircase, with ample landing space. Tins part of the house contains two private parlors, twelve bedrooms, two bath rooms, &c. The height of the downstair rooms is 14ft. and the upstairs 12ft, 6in. The house is built of wood and plastered throughout, the lower rooms having dado panelling 4ft. high, surmounted by stencilled moulding. Each of the latter rooms has a handsome cornice, and a centre-piece, from which is suspended a gasalier. The parlors are fitted with modern grates and stylish mantel-pieces, and gas and bells are laid on to every room. The house is very neatly furnished throughout. It should be mentioned that under the bar there is a splendid concrete cellar, 38tt. long, 14ft. wide, and 7ft. high. The cost altogether was about £2300. Mr Garland has obtained a licence for his hotel, and will open on Ist November. The next in order comes Buckley and Marshall’s CANTERBURY HOTEL, a most palatial looking edifice of over fifty apartments, of Grecian style of architecture, now approaching completion, having a frontage of 136 ft. to the South belt, and 61ft, to Manchester street. The main entrance will be through a corridor 34ft. in length on the Belt side, leading into a hall lift. 6ih. wide. The entrance hall will be ornamented with an arc supported by fluted columns, artistically flowered, and having Corinthian caps. The bar door will be at the corner of the building, and there is also a private entrance from Manchester street. On the ground floor are—Bar, 33ft. 6in. x 22ft.; two bar parlors, 18ft, x 14ft. ; commercial room, 22ft. Sin. x 26ft. ; diningroom, 41ft. x 22ft. Sin.; two private parlors, each 12ft. square ; K two bath rooms for gentlemen ; kitchen, 20ft. x 18ft., in which is a large range with all the modern appliances, and a separate fireplace with fixed grill; scullery, pantry, roomy laundry, storeroom, &c. The height of the rooms on this floor is 13ft. in the dear, and they are intersected by passages 6ft. x 6in. in width. The first floor landing is reached by a double staircase sft. wide, with nule panelled posts. On this flat are four private suites of rooms overlooking the Port hills, one general sitting-room 26ft. x 14ft., leading into the balcony, which forms a roof the whole length of the corridor previously mentioned ; twenty-five single bedrooms, varying from 15ft. x 14ft. to lift, x 10ft. in size; two bath rooms for ladies, with cold and hot water taps, &c" The passages through this portion of the house are 6ft. in width, and the heiglijb of the rooms 12ft. 6in. in the clear. All the rooms have patent ventilators. _ For the convenience of the attendants, a staircase leads from the end of the passage at the eastern end direct to the kitchen. The general room and sitting rooms down stairs will have heavy handsome cornices and centre pieces. All the rooms on the floor and the np-sfair passages are dado’d and wainscoated. The various parlors will be fitted with handsome mantel-pieces, grates, and all the modern appliances. The main walls of the house are brick, and lathed and plastered where necessary. Returning to the front of the building, it may be mentioned that, in addition to the fluted columns and arc previously referred to at the entrance of the corridor, the front elevation will also be ornamented with two spiral columns having their base on the balcony, their caps supporting the main cornice, which will be both heavy and handsome ; six pilasters on each Hat with pilasters at ends, these having compo caps ; over each window pediments and cornices, also done in compo, and underneath sunk panels and mouldings. The whole front will be tinted in white and grey, and it is estimated that the building will be quite completed and furnished before the end of November, “The Canterbury” will cost about £SOOO, and will certainly be a credit to the city, Mr J. S. M. Jacobsen is the architect, and Messrs Buckley and Marshall, the proprietors, arc the contractors. Continuing the walk along the belt, mumford’s orosyenor hotel,

at the corner of Madras street, is shortly readied. The building has a very substantial appearance, and though the original plans have been curtailed for the present, the portion which has been completed will no doubt answer the requirements for some time. The bar is entered from the Belt corner, the private entrance being from Madras street. The ground floor consists of a large bar, ladies’ waiting-room, large private parlor, commercial room, commodious dining-room, and fire-proof 'kitchen (formed of brick and concrete) fitted up with the latest appliances. A double flight of stairs leads to the first floor, on which there are four double-bedded rooms, six single bedrooms large enough to contain two beds, and one suite (bedroom and parlor). The height of the upstairs rooms is 10ft., and down stairs 12ft. Each room is fitted with a patent ventilator. The passages, both on first and second floors, are wide, and the walls are dado’d to a height of 4ft. din. The house is built of brick and plastered throughout, and the various rooms substantially and comfortably furnished. The cost up to the prescat baa beea but wbou it is ui-’ccegai'y

to complete the plans, which will gi ye ll P’ stairs, two more sitting rooms, eight bedrooms, bath-room and other conveniences; and down stairs, two parlors, private bar, reading room, bath room, &c. The total cost will be about £3OOO. There is ample ground attached to the premises. The architect was Mr S. C. Farr, and the contractor Mr C. Scott. A turn up the East Belt brings Mr J. Wesley Smith’s ROYAL GEORGE HOTEL in view, and having reached the location (corner of the Belt and St. Asaph street), it is seen that (he building which has just been roofed is being constructed of extra, sized timbers, evidently with a view to strength. The design is plain. The main front, which faces the Belt, is 56ft. in length, and the St. Asaph street frontage 20ft. The bar will bo entered from the St. Asaph street corner, the private entrance leading from the Belt. The rooms on the ground floor are— Bar 17ft. x 18ft. j coffee room, 16ft. x 16ft.; two parlors, 17ft. x 12ft. and 16ft. x 12ft.; commercial and reading rooms, 31ft. x 16ft. (divided by panelled partition, which can be removed at pleasure, making one long room for public meetings, &c.) ; kitchen, 18ft. x 14ft.; bed room, 12ft. x Bft. ; pantry, Oft. x 6ft.; and under the bar a cellar, 18ft. x 20ft., height, 6ft. 6in. A pass-’gs 20ft. long by 6ft. in width leads through this floor. The coffee and commercial rooms are entered from the passage leading from the private door, and are at a considerable distance from the bar. The upper floor is gained by a large handsome staircase, rising from the main hall leading from the private door. The staircase is embellished with mouldings and ornamental brackets. On this floor are two parlors, nine bedrooms, and bath-room, the latter being supplied from a 4-00 gallon tank which is kept constantly filled by means of a hydraulic ram. For fire-prevention purposes a length of hose will be kept constantly screwed on to a plug in the bath-room. A passage, 25ft long by 4ft 6in., leading to the stairs, runs through the centre of this flat, thus giving easy access to the different rooms. The downstair apartments are 12ft 6in. in height, and upstairs 12ft. The windows are large throughout the establishment. The outside arrangements for the convenience of visitors to the hotel and the public are complete, the various compartments being formed of concrete, with an ample supply of water constantly running. The building will he lathed and plastered throughout on the inside. It will bo ready for occupation towards the end of next month, and when completed will cost over £2OOO. Mr Thomas Mollett is the architect, and Mr David Lusk the contractor.