The Estate Office, 37 Conwy Road, Colwyn Bay (rebuilding)

In September 1906 Porter and Elcock removed to new premises on Conwy Road, Adam Hunter having died before the building  was completed.

MESSRS. J. M. PORTER & HUNTER'S NEW OFFICES. - During recent years many of the older buildings in this modern town have been completely altered in arrangement and appearance to meet the demands of modern requirements and expansion, of business, and among the latest instances we notice the building in Conway-road, opposite to Hawarden-road. Formerly a house and shop of the. very unpretentious style considered sufficient for local needs over twenty years ago, these, premises have been considerably altered in accordance with the plans of Messrs. J. M. Porter & Hunter, the front elevation having been completely rebuilt to a very neat and effective design, the work of the late Mr. Adam Hunter. The ground floor space is mostly occupied by the shop with ante-room and other appurtenances, known as "The Unique," and occupied by Mr. Thomas Hughes Jones, hosier and outfitter, whose ample stock of the most up-to-date and attractive appearance harmonises admirably with the smart new building. The remainder of the frontage is occupied by the entrance to the Estate Office, the familiar designation of the business premises of Messrs. J. M. Porter & Hunter, architects, surveyors and estate agents. Opened originally in 1877, this business has for the last nineteen years or rather more been controlled by the senior member of the firm. This entrance, with its stone archway and bay-wood doors, with mosaic floor, has a very superior appearance. The stairway is roomy and easy of ascent; the wall of this, also the corridor, has a panelled dado of dark wood. The inquiry office is partitioned off with panelled wood and tinted glass. Excellent, well-lighted rooms have been arranged for the staff in the various, departments of the business. The rooms on every floor are heated by hot water pipes worked from an independent boiler fixed in the caretaker's department, and electric light has been installed throughout. Mr. Porter's private, office is upon the first-floor front.

A similar room on the second floor is occupied by Mr. C. E. Elcock, the manager, more particularly of the architectural department. This latter gentleman has only recently come to Colwyn Bay from Liverpool, where as managing assistant to Messrs. Matear & Simon, architects, of Liverpool, he was engaged on the new Cotton Exchange in that city, a building costing over £200,000 and notable for its fine design and rapidity of execution, in which latter respect it holds, the record in the United Kingdom. Mr. Elcock had previous experience in Belfast and Glasgow, having been for some years a senior assistant to the leading Scotch architect, Mr. John James Burnet, A.R.S.A., in the latter city. [The Weekly News and Visitors Chronicle for Colwyn Bay 28 September 1906 page 3]

Reference        The Weekly News and Visitors Chronicle for Colwyn Bay 28 September 1906 page 3
Reference        The Weekly News and Visitors Chronicle for Colwyn Bay 14 September 1906 page 13