Proposed Aquarium and Winter Garden, Llandudno

PROPOSED AQUARIUM AND WINTER GARDEN FOR LLANDUDNO. - THE attractions of this most delightful northern watering place which have been lately so greatly added to by the erection of the new pier (now nearly complete) and the marine drive round the Great Ormes Head, will be still further enhanced by the aquarium and winter garden it is proposed to erect at the eastern end of the town. A very eligible site of about 7 acres in extent has been secured with a frontage of about 900 feet towards the sea (along the Esplanade), and of about 950 towards Mostyn-street. As shown in our illustration, the building will be cruciform in plan, the lower portion constructed in brickwork and masonry, will contain the aquarium, and form the basement to the iron and glass superstructure of the winter garden. The aquarium, of a moderate size, will be constructed generally on the principle of the one at the Crystal Palace, but with all the latest improvements, and will have about 2,500 superficial feet of plate-glass in the show and table tanks. Advantage will be taken of the proximity of Bangor and its slate quarries to construct the tanks in slate, in lieu of bricks or other materials, by which a great saving in space will be effected, besides affording greater s facilities for keeping the tanks water-tight. The winter garden will have a promenade of about 170ft. in the nave, and about 110ft. in  the transepts, in which there will be an orchestra, with the necessary retiring-rooms, &c. The intersection of the nave and transepts will be marked by a dome, 42ft. diameter and about 60ft. high. The ground surrounding the building will be planted and arranged as a garden, and be enclosed by an ornamental railing, with 32 gates, etc. It is further intended at a future period to erect on the adjoining land‑ reserved for the purpose east and west of the site ‑ between thirty and forty mansions of a suitable 'character. The architects are Messrs Driver and Rew, of 5, Victoria‑street, Westminster; and their estimate for the first section of the  work‑i.e., the aquarium, winter garden, and enclosure - is £25,000. [Building News 16 March 1877 Page 264]