MESSRS FORD AND CO'S NEW PREMISES.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1627, 8 May 1879, Page 4

MESSRS FORD AND CO'S NEW PREMISES.

The new and extensive premises being erocted for Messrs J. T. Eord and 00. are rapidly approaching completion. The plans, as prepared by the architect, have already been described, but as the stores and offices are now almost ready for occupation, a brief description of the place generally may be interesting. The buildings extend from Cashel streot to Hereford street, a distance of something like three hundred feet. The business premises of Messrs Eord and Co. will be entered from Cashel treot, to which there is a frontage of 54cfc. On the ground floor the visitor enters a spacious hall, on the left of which are the offices of the firm, fitted up with with every possible convenience. To the left there is a wide staircase, which leads to the auction room and other offices similar to those below, all of which it is understood will be required by the firm. The auction room, which overlooks the street, measures 50ft. by 30ft., is lofty and well lighted by a large skylight extending upward from an arched ceiling. The interior walls are plastered, and a handsome moulding skirts the lower parts thereof. The offices on the upper part of the building, which extend from the front elevation to the wall of the horse repository, are also well finished, and there is a fire place in each of them. The repository, which is 120 ft. long, is the height of the building itself, the roof being partially made of glass to afford plenty of light. It contains forty stalls, besides two loose boxes, lofts for hay and fodder, and is one of the most commodious and best appointed establishments of the kind in the colony. Beyond this is a large store, 80ft. by 50ft., which will be used for storing merchandise. Above this again is the grain Btore, which has already been utilised, there being at the present time a large quantity of grain deposited thore. The portion of the building immediately under notice, and that further on, towards Hereford street, is completed, and ready for immediate occupation. There is a small space between the end of the main building, and the Hereford street property, which has apparently been erected separately, with the object of letting it for office purposes. This building has a handsome frontage to Hereford street, and consists of two spacious stores downstairs, each containing a strong room, and seven rooms on the second storey, with a fireplace in each. As before stated the buildings are now almost finished. Messrs. Jacobson and Son are the architects, Mr E. West the contractor. The contract was commenced in October, 1878, and will be finished in about three weeks' time.