BUILDINGS (9)
Continuation.
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"The upper floors of the building, of which there are four, are arranged for office purposes, an entrance from each roadway leads through a short-arched corridor into a central hall containing the principal staircase and elevator. These deliver on each floor on to a spacious landing, with corridors running right and left, from which open the various offices arranged singly or en suite to suit the tenants' requirements. Ample accommodation for Chinese Servants is provided facing the back lane and well shut off from the offices.
"The building is surrounded by open verandahs designed in a restrained style of Renaissance. The lower storey has large arches standing on a granite base of the Doric order. The upper storeys have two simple orders crowned by a colonnade and principal cornice, above which rise small octagonal turrets enclosing a pleasing arcade of small arches topped by the plain steep gable ends of the roof. The corner of the building is carried up more than 135 feet above the street level, with an open dome-capped colonnade rising above the steep conical roof.
"In general appearance the building, at present marred by injudiciously-placed signboards so usually fatal to good street architecture, is pleasing and satisfactory, and is a welcome addition to the big class of architectural building in the Colony.
"Internally the keynote is the easy service to all parts of the building, also the excellent light and ventilation throughout. The architects are Messrs. Palmer and Turner who have designed and superintended the erection of the building and its fittings throughout. The Kong On firm are the builders. The tiles, sanitary goods, grates, etc., were supplied from England. The electric lift is by the Otis Co., fitted by the Hongkong Electric Company, who have also installed the electric light. The water fittings are Messrs. Fenwick and Co.
BUILDINGS (10)
SOME BUILDINGS OF THE CITY
(All Rights of Reproduction are Strictly Reserved)
Yesterday, a description of Alexandra Building, published at the time it was completed, was published: to-day, the two big blocks which went up about the same time, nearby, are briefly described.
The S. C. M. Post of September 30, 1904 stated:-
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