Dedicated to Music

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 340, 28 April 1928, Page 22

Dedicated to Music

rjmE building represents nearly 50 years of enterprise. In 1884 Mr. Lewis Eady, the chairman of directors, laid the foundation of the firm in a side street off Karangahape Road, Business integrity and the help of five able sons brought the music store to Queen Street, and now the stately new home is almost complete. There is no finer or more complete music warehouse in the Southern Hemisphere.

Designed by Mr. D. J. G. Plumley, A.R.1.8.A., A.N.Z.1.A., and built by Messrs. Cecil A. Lee, Ltd., of Auckland, the building is seven storeys high on the Queen Street elevation, and it cost about £30,000. It runs through to High Street, the site being 194 feet by 30 feet. The frontage is bounded by tall buildings, but it stands above them in slim beauty. STATELY FRONT Perfection of balance has been maintained by the architect between the fenestration and the masses of the Queen Street frontage. From the attractive shop windows one’s eye rises over the balustraded balcony to the distinctive central feature of two fluted Corinthian columns, crowned with a curved pediment. The whole of the frontage is of plaster finish with the exception of two broad brick piers bounding the side limits. The two upper storeys are dominated by a bold string course and decorated cornice, terminating with a plain attic storey, which gives a sense of poise and dignity to the whole facade. The front of the site was occupied by one of the earliest brick buildings in Queen Street, and this was entirely demolished. At the rear was the old Hippodrome (formerly the Globe) Theatre. The foundations of the front portion are of exceptional ’interest. Instead of grillage foundations, heavy inverted “T” ferro-concrete beams extending the full width of the site, and about 6ft 6in in depth, were employed. REMARKABLE INTERIOR To give the maximum amount of clear shop front display on the ground floor, the frontage was supported on cantilevers from alternative floors. The lay-out of the display windows is unusual, the Queen Street approach being divided by a large island window, on one side of which is the piano display, and on the other the of lighter instruments and music.

A spacious vestibule, dignified and attractive, compels one to enter into the building. From the vestibule two passenger lifts serve the upper floors,

CITY’S NEW BUILDING Lewis Eady Enterprise RISING in chaste whiteness to a height of seven storeys, the new building of Lewis Eady, Ltd., is a Georgian harmony in Queen Street. It is dedicated to music in all its forms, and appropriately its elevation suggests the dignity of the organ and airy lightness of the flute.

and a main staircase leads to the concert chamber, which is one of the big features of the building. The showroom opens out on both sides of the vestibule in a harmony of Tasmanian blackwood and snowy plaster, and before one is a splendid staircase mounting to the mezzanine floor and the piano showroom. Bronze balustrading expresses the symbols of music, the lyre, the staves, and the clefs being embodied in the design, and at the top of the stairs is a fine leadiight screen. The mezzanine gallery fronting the main shop gives two display promenades, and is supported on cantilevers flanked on either side by the names of old masters of music. The glitter of glass showcases and counters extends down the length cf the ground floor, and further still are the arches of specialist departments. The gramophone parlours open through glazed doors, and there are the sound-proof audition rooms. At the top of the staircase the graceful piano hall extends through io High Street. On this floor, also, are the fine, well-lighted offices of the firm. THE CONCERT HALL. For the first time in the Southern Hemisphere, a concert chamber has been built in a music store. Extending practically the whole of the length of the second floor, this hall will seat 350 people on the ground floor, and 50 people on the balcony, and it will undoubtedly be a popular place for addresses, socials, and dances, being fitted with collapsible tables and chairs. The stage dressing rooms and kitchen are at the High Street end. The vaulted ceiling is simple and effective.

It is proposed to- have a tearoom occupying the whole floor immediately above the concert chamber, with access from both streets. Notwithstanding the numerous extensions decided on after the contract was signed, the firm of C. A. Lee, Ltd., kept closely to time. Mr. A. Lennox, the managing director, took cljarge on the death of Mr. Cecil A. Lee, and his able supervision and his enthusiasm have resulted in the completion of a “job” which bears scrutiny in every detail.

Among the distinctive features of the building are the clocks, the main one a delightful French creation, which was provided by A. Kohn, Ltd., jewellers, opticians, and watchmakers, of Queen Street. All the timepieces are controlled by a master clock, which also controls the window lighting effects, automatically illuminating them at any time decided on.