THE NEW ZEALAND INSURANCE COMPANY’S NEW BUILDINGS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6490, 15 December 1881, Page 6

THE NEW ZEALAND INSURANCE COMPANY’S NEW BUILDINGS.

A large and handsome pile of buildings is to be erected for the New Zealand Insurance Company in Cathedral square, on the section belonging to the Company, situated at the bock of their present offices in Hereford street, with which the new building will bo connected. The designs have wen prepared by Mr F. Btrouts, M B LB.A., and the contractor is Mr D. Reese, who baa already commenced operatioao by sinking for the foundations. According to the plan prepared by Mr Stroute, the present building will be enlarged by the addition of another storey, of similar

style, and with • front of while Hone. This storey will contain five rooms, intended to ho need at offices.

At the back of toe old premises ’a largo tbren-storeyad building is to be with a frontage of about Slit to Cathedral square. This addition will also hare a side 0114111100 from the righirof-way leading from the square to Hereford street. It is to be constructed of brick, covered with cotnpo on too rids nest the 'right-of-way end, with 'a stone front. The roof will be stated. The design of the front is bold and effective. The ground four front is intended to be of bluestene. The doorway projects slightly beyond the remainder of tha from, and this projection is continued up to tbs propel. Above the door, whish is a massive posited one, is a oinular-beadsd light. Two circular-headed windows will See light to the ground floor office. Above «*e windows, as shown in the drawing, proteU a moulded cornice of Oamaru stone, cupper portion of the front i« to consist of Oamaru stone, with fluted columns, having Corinthian capitals and rusticated coigns. Die front rooms on the two upper floors are to be lighted by means of ssgmsntel beaded windows, three to each storey, separated by blues tone pilasters. Above the topmost storey will be a very massive moulded cornice, with a particularly bold projection, and above this again will rise a plain parapet. The front is to be surmounted by a mansard roof, covered with slates of various colours, running back lor a distance of 17ft. This roof will bo lighted by means of two dormer windows, each surmounted by a stone pediment, and each springing from the cornice, the parapet being cut through to admit the frames. The roof will have a flat top, surmounted with an ornamental iron railing. The height of the front from the ground to top of props! is to bo 48ft The front portion of the ground floor will contain a huge public office, with vestibule giving entrance from Cathedral square. This vestibule is also to give access to a private office behind the public room, and to a staircoze leading to the first floor. Connected with the above-mentioned private office wUi bo a convenient strongroom. A passage leading from the right-of-way entrance wul join the vestibule at right angles, and give aooese to an area, through which admittance will be gamed to the present building. A room for the manager is to be provided on the left of this passage. Some alterations are to bo made in the ground floor arrangements of the old offices, and a new strongroom constructed therein. The first floor will contain three large offices, two of which are communicated with by means of the etainaeo leading from the vestibule, while access is given to the other from the Hereford street entrance. On this floor are to be two strongrooms connected with the offices. On the second floor will be situated four offices and one strongroom. In Ml the storeys are to bo waiting lobbies, pro* vided with suitable accommodation. In ths mansard roof will be a living room and a bedroom for the use of the caretaker. The building is to be provided throughout with fireplaces, and the vea: ilzlion has been carefully attended to. The structure wilt unquestionably form an addition to our street architecture of no mean character.