“BEST SOUTH OF THE LINE”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 303, 14 March 1928, Page 7

“BEST SOUTH OF THE LINE”

MUSICAL FIRM’S NEW BUILDING Towering above the skyscrapers of New York City is the magnificent Woolworth Building—ss stories, tier upon tier. Although in the company of some of the largest buildings in the world, the Colossus proudly rises its head, the concrete emblem of architectural genius and sound workmanship. Set in the busiest portion of the busiest street in New Zealand’s premier city, the new premises of Lewis Lady, Ltd., proudly rise, a fitting memorial to sound work in the past, and vision of the future. It is also fitting that Messrs. Lewis Eady, Ltd., as the most progressive musical house in New Zealand, should have the most up-to-date and bestplanned premises, for nowhere in New Zealand is there such a building. Built in the magnificent Georgian style, with coloiurful interior decorations, and with ample accommodation for every requirement of a modern musical store, the building gives evidence on every hand of being designed with a grasp of the present and a vision of the future. The building is of a most composite character, as it embodies the shops, showrooms, offices and audition rooms of Lewis Eady, Ltd., together with a fair-sized concert chamber. Even the first view impresses the visitor. The imposing entrance through the shop front leads directly into a lofty and impressive hall, in which is sold sheet music, radio, gramophones and records. On the left is the theatre’s box office, and occupying the centre of the background a handsome double flight stairway, leading on to the mezzanine floor. Here is the specially-constructed salon for pianos and player-pianos, while galleries lead along to the firm’s offices. Throughout, the furnishingjs are on a luxurious scale, with highly-polished woods and leadlight windows. An interesting feature is that all the stairway handrails have a musical design, with staves as the balustrades and ornamental clefs at each end, the whole done in bronze. Although the entire building is not yet completed, and the shop fronts are for the moment nothing but an ugly hoarding, business is being carried on as usual in every department. Customers and visitors are given a cordial invitation to see the progress being made in the home for "everything musical.’’—7.