THE NEW D.I.C. WELLINGTON

NZ Truth, Issue 1150, 15 December 1927, Page 3

THE NEW D.I.C. WELLINGTON

JUDGED by the building figures of the past year or two, "Wellington has taken great strides towards her destiny as the Empire City of New Zealand. On every hand lofty and imposing piles have arisen or are in course of construction. Noble edifices are replacing the wooden structures of earlier days, and the whole aspect of Wellington is being c ompletely altered. Probably no architectural change will make such an impression or demonstrate so forcibly the confidence with which Wellington's future greatness is regarded, as the magnificent building which the Directors of the D.I.C. have decided to erect on Lambton Quay, and of which an artist's drawing from the architect's plans is reproduced above. Since its establishment in Wellington, the record of the D.I.C. has been one of continuous progress. For many years operations were carried on in the well- known building fronting Panama and Brandon Streets. In 1921 the adjoining establishment of George and K ersley, with its Lambton Quay frontage, was acquired and the business expanded still more rapidly. At the beginning of the present year the purchase of the Bristol Piano Company's corner rounded off the block and enabled the Directors of the D.I.C. to take step.* .to carry out their long-cherished project of providing in Wellington a shopping centre second to none in the Dominion,';and Vying even with some of those famous emporiums in the world's great cities. Ideas from the World over Much patient investigation, extensive travel and painstaking consultation have gone to the preparation of the plans for the new D.I.C. Ideas have been adopted from England and the Continent of Europe, from America and Australia, and the results will be incorporated in the great store, the exterior features of which are depicted above. With a continuous street frontage of 560 feet to Lambton Quay, Brandon Street and Panama Street, broken only by the entrances provided for' the upper office floors, the D.I.C. windows, already famous for their artistic settings, will be an outstanding attractio nof Wellington. Inside, every modern appliance for the comfort and convenience of customers and for the provision of speedy and efficient service will be installed. The building will be centrally heated throughout, tlie latest mechanical methods of transport will convey clients from the lower to the upper floors, the cash carrying system will be the most up-to-date available, ladies' lavatories and rest rooms will be provided, and the maximum of natural daylight and air Will be admitted to every part of the building. The Rendezvous of Wellington A tea room and a luxurious lounge adjoining hj ave been planned on a scale that should make the P.I.C. the rendezvous of Wellington. A telephone Bureau, Left Luggage Office, Babies' Room, Writing fooom and all the conveniences and aids which the public of larger cities have come to expect in great department stores, will be found in the new D.I.C. Recognising the advantages which the site possesses, provision has been made for letting space in the new building. Three floors will be sub-divided into si ngle offices or suites as may be required, and access will be given by the way of imposing entrances from Bran don and Panama Streets. These will be very spacious and handsomely finished in Aberdeen granite. Swift running elevators will be installed to conv§y passengers direct to the upper floors.' Every office will be heated and will have water and electric power laid on. Facing the sun as they nearly all do, and overlooking Lambton Quay, the widest thoroughfare in Wellington, they should from the central position of the building, present unrivalled attractions to tenants. Every floor has been designed with a view to bringing it into use for D.I.C. purposes when growth and development require it, but as the building is to be constructs d to carry two stories more than are shown in the artist's drawing, there will undoubtedly be accommodation for tenants for many years to come. , Of steel frame construction with concrete floors and walls, and fitted throughout with a sprinkler installation, the block will be as fireproof as modern methods can make it. The contract for the supply and fabrication of the steel required in the construction has already been let to the Hansford and Mills Construction Co., and m assive girders, columns and plates are now on their way from the famous firm of Dorman Long and Co., Middlesborough, England. Tenders for the erection of the building will be invited next week, and operations are expected to begin with the demolition of the present Lambton Quay premises immediately after the Xmas Season. architect responsible for this noble addition to the city's fine buildings, is Mr. C. H. Mitchell, A.R.1.8.A., of Atkins and Mitchell, Grey Street, Wellington.