TIMARU ARCHITECTURE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 27 March 1926, Page 13

TIMARU ARCHITECTURE.

NOTABLE IMPROVEMENTS. Tl-lE OXFORD BUILDINGS. In regard to architectural and building development, the year just concluded has without doubt proved one of tile most important in the history of Timani. ‘ Jn addition to the increased activity experienced by the building trade in the suburban areas, building and re-building in the town itself, and especially in Stafford Street, has received a very decided impetus, indicating clearly the confidence with which tile town is regarded h.v investors and the business community generally, in addition to the Tekapo Buildings referred to recently in these columns, the architectural beauty .of the town .lias also been considerably improved by the erection of a large and very imposing block, on one the busiest corners of the town, the corner of George and Stafford Streets better known* as “habitus’ Corner.’

Built entirely of erro-concrete, and with a frontage on Stafford Street of 60 feet, and 54 feet on George Street, the OxfoYd Buildings, four stories high, rises to a height of 65 "feet from the pavement to the. top of the parapet, and is tile highest commercial building in •Titnaru. From the top floor an unparalleled view of the town and coast line is obtained ; Stafford Street, winding its way up through tlio town, forming the foreground to a panorama stretching away over roiling downs to tlm outlying foot!)ills and distant Alps. Tile coast line and tile Pacific Ocean in its varying moods completes tho picture. Finished in Atlas white cement, tlie buildings eonstrcule a splendid landmark, and tho visitor entering the town from either side is immediately impressed by its commanding and distinctive design, ft is interesting to note that tin’s corner has now been built on three times, and on oacjh occasion by the Turnbull family.'The original building was a, wooden structure built in IMM by Messrs Clarkson and Turnbull. This building, however, was destroyed in tins big fire of 11(68, and in the following years was rebuilt by tho same firm in hric-k and stone. About 1884 a mercery shop was opened at the corner by the late Air A. Gabites, that business being carried on at the present time in the same place and under tlie same name. Tlie construction of the newest building has been carried out on the modern American commercial style, and with its ground floor simp fronts of polished metal and highly polished bluc-gray-veined New Zealand marble, a very attractive appearance is obtained. Other artistic olfecLs in addition to tlie ground floor frontage are provided by large, well, proportioned steel casements and shallow wroughi-iron balconies on both frontages. Protection is afforded by tin l large cantilever verandah, suspended by rods, and stepped to the fall of the street. Righting lias been carefully attended to. glased sashes over the verandah and powerful Hood lights playing; on ihe windows supplying; all the illumination required cither by night or day. Although in tiie construction of a. commercial building utilitarian considerations are necessarily placed first, it is evident Unit no expense had been spared in order to ensure, the carrying out of tlie interior fitting on tasteful and distiotive lines. A small tiled lobby, enclosed witli collapsible- iron gales, opens into an entrance hall panelled eight feet up with stained and polished wood. From this rises a staircase, of generous width and remarkably easy tread, winding up in easy stages to ill" Lop door. Connection between the vari.ris floors, however, is provided by moans of r Keighley lift, maniilaetured in England. E'eetideally driven, the lift can either he operated automatically from any iloor, -or by hand. In business hours an attendant is ni.-iin--1.-lined on duty for the convenience of those using tlie building. The ground door is taken" up ii.v four large and well lighted shops, while file first and second floors arc taken up by suites of otiioos su,b-dividod to meet individual requirements. Tho top iloor is wholly ■taken up by tea rooms for which special provision was made in tlie designing of the building. The entire building is heated by hut water radiators providedin every room. .Healers of the “IdeaiCiassic” type, manufactured in England, are supplied from a boiler situated in the .sub-basement. Throughout tlie building the design and construction has been carried out on a. very high standard, and rellrots great credit on all concerned. Tho ' building was designed h.v .Messrs Turnbull and Rule, win) also supervised its erection, and Mr A. Kennedy was the contractor entrusted with the c-nnstruction.. The plumbing was done by Air A. V. O’Connor; painting and -dazing h.v Air .1. Craigie, and the elect ire light and lift was installed by Young Bros.