Columbia University Libraries Digital Collections: The Real Estate Record

The Record and guide: v. 40, no. 1019: September 24, 1887

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1200 The Record and Guide. September 24, 1887 Another Fire-proof Storaqe Wareliouse. A very important improvement is contemplated by a syndicate of capi¬ taUsts about to be formed into a corporation. They are having plans pre¬ pared by Hubert, Pirsson & Co. for an enormous fire-proof storage ware¬ house, which is to occupy the entire frontage of 420 feet on»33d street, between 4th and Lexington avenues, and have additional frontages on both avenues of 80 feet. The warehouse is fco be not only novel in construction, but is to be new in its manner of shipping goods to and fro. The great feature of the buUding will be that it will contain isolated iron boxes fitting to each compartment. These boxes wiU be taken from their respective compartments, lowered to a truck by elevator, forwarded to fcbe residence or business building from which the goods are to be taken, packed into tbe box in fronfc of the door, locked by the shipper of the goods aud the key taken charge of by him. The goods will then be taken back in the box to the warehouse, hoisted by the elevator and rolled back on a track into its proper compartment again awaiting the order of its owner. This is cer¬ tainly a splendid idea and will meet with success on the very face of it, for what wUl be more satisfactoiy to the owner of goods thau to know that he has the key to his belongings in his pocket, safely guarded and intrenched behind fire proof walls. A general description of the proposed building will, no doubt, be of interest. The building will be of brick and terra cotta, and 100 feet high. The architecture will be that of the castellated Roman. Ic wiU contain ten stories. Tbe entrance for all goods wUl be on 4th avenue the exit on Lexington avenue. The firsfc floor will contain the receiving room, safe deposit vaults, sales and auction rooms and delivery room, the balance of the space being utUized by thirteen stores, which are expected to yield quite a revenue. The second floor wUl contain the offices of lhe company, which will be on the 4th avenue corner, adjoining which there will be a bank. One of the features of tbe undertaking is that it is proposed to loan on goods stored if desired, and to seU them at auction, in whole or iu part, if so requested by the owner. The floors above the second story wiU each contain 193 fire-proof com¬ partments of different sizes, so as to accommodate customers of every description. These compartments, besides being fire-proof, will each con¬ tain a pipe communicating with a large main flue, so that in case of fire the couflagration wUl be confined to the one compartment, the flames and smoke passing safely through the main flue without hindrance to any other of the compartments. The tup floor will contain fifty-three fire-proof safety rooms for the storage of ti'unks and other smaller packages. It is proposed to make the building easy of access from 84th street and Park aveuue by constructing a sidewalk on a level with thafc street running to 33d street, where a stairway, easy of descent, wUl be placed running down to a level with 4fcb avenue. Under this sidewalk, which will be 20t) feet in length, all goods will enter the buildiug. The work of con¬ struction wiU probably be commenced thisfaU, the cost of the improvement being estimated at upwards of $600,000. Opposed to the Elevated Road. The Elevated road wants more land. Engineer Greene has presented a report to the Dock Board favoring the Manhattan in its request for permis. sion to build a great coaling station and also a line of bulkheads on the Harlem River, between 153d and 159th streets. Mr. Greene recommends that the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund be asked to sell tbe railroad company fifty-six lofcs under water, south of the proposed work, which the city owns. To this enterprise, however, there is no little objection, and there are threats of lawsmts if the project is carried out. Among the complainants is the William Lynch estate, which owns a large amount of property in the vicinity of the 155th sfcreet terminus of tbe raUroad. In the last four years this estate it is said has expended half a million doUars iu improvements to the vacant land and water front close to tbe ground now wauted by the Manhattan, and they have sent a letter of protest to General Newton, Commissioner of Public Works. Little Houses with Plenty of Room. Ten or fifteen years ago New York was largely a city of boarding- houses, as many of us sorrowfully remember. DwelUngs, then, were too large and expensive for families of moderate means to occupy strictly as "homes." An improvemeut was made when '* flats " were introduced; as was clearly shown by the rapidity with which the public rented tbera. I have often thought, however, that the further step—that of erecting small, comfortable and tastUy-finished dweUings at moderate rentals- remained to be taken. Such a step has afc lasfc been taken in a choice location uptown, and it is safe to say, not only thafc tbe houses will be rapidly tenanted, but that they are the forerunners of a new era in New York's homes. The residences in question comprise a block of ten houses on the south¬ east corner of 89th street and Lexington avenue. They were designed for W. Rhinelander, Esq., by Hubert, Pirsson & Co., architecfcs. Externally they are quaint Queen Anne structures, with projecting bays and balconies of dark brick, stone and terra cotta, and produce a charming effect. What calls for special attention is the novel external arrangements. The old-time high stoop structure, dating from the days when our grand¬ mothers made the basemeat their sitting-room and dining-room, has been abandoned, and Mr. Rhinelander's houses ore entered through a spacious haU—in reaUty a large reception-room, paneUed in quartered oak, walnut or mahogany, and furnished with handsome spindle-work and tUed fire¬ place. At the end of this room is another haU, with quaint platform-stairs (so easy to mount) leading to a parlor floor, which, foUowing the European arrangement, is above. To the rear of these stairs on the ground floor is StiU another hall (the third) leading to a cheerful, well-lit kitchen, fitted with every possible convenience, behind which are short stairs aud a dumb¬ waiter communicating with the butler's pantry above, which opens into a fine dining-room en suite with the parlor. The parlor and dining-room are handsomely decorated with hardwood, stained glass, and bric-Ji-brac mantels over open grates of tiles and brass-work. Above the parlors are four large bed-chambers, with spacious fitted closets, a bathroom and two servants' rooms. The stairways and landings are lit by a dome of stained glass. These houses are four stori.es high, and, so far as the number of rooms is concerned, contain about the accom¬ modation of the largest and most expensive flats. But what a difference in comfort, privacy, and much else that makes '*home," really " homel'' The rooms of the Rhiaelander houses are so large and well proportioned, the stairs so easj and well lit, thafc one gets au impression of size that makes it hard to realize that 12)4 feet is the limit of the frontage of each dweUing. The houses have been built in a most substantial manner for a permanent investment, and are certainly a great step forward towards the era of perfect homes. Lynx. How to Draw a Contract. An invaluable work for all dealers in realty is fouud in " The Guide to Buyers and Sellers of Real Estate," by Counsellor Geo. W. Van Siclen. This pamphlet, of only fifty-six pages, offers a complste solution of all the complicated questions that arise iu drawing contracts. It discusses ques¬ tions of titles, liens, curtesy and dower rights, deeds, searches, etc., and contains forms of contracts, and judicial decisions which, with f.ther general information, will go far towards making every man his own lawyer. It tells all aboufc fixtures, assumption of mortgages, apportionment of i-ents, description of property, terms of payment, damages for failure to carry out contracts, information on setting aside contracts for mistake or fraud, and forms of deeds. Published by The Record and Guide, 191 Broadway. Price, 50 cents. ■---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------•—'----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To Increase the Knock-down Fees. A communication has been sent to members of the Real Estate Exchange, signed by twelve stockholaers. In substance ifc states that members of the Board are already beginning to solicit proxies for the election of direc¬ tors ou 12th December, and the letter asks fchafc such solicitations be refused. This request is made in view of a movement, now on foot, to increase the revenues of the Exchange by increasing the knock down fees. The circular states that at present the auctioneers derive the greatest benefit from the Exchange, although they represent ouly $25,000 out of a capital of $500,- OOO. It is thought tbat tbey should contribute more largely than they do to the revenue. To effect this, ifc is proposed (accordiug to the letter) to place " at least four non-professional directors on the Board, representing the $475,000 of capital," and the co-operation of stockholders is solicted. The signers of this letter are; J. Metzger, Marx Ottinger, Henry Hirsh, W H. Whiting, Cornelius W, Luyster, Samuel McMillan, Charles Schultz, W. C. Lesster, Thomas C. Higgins, Arnold Lustig, C. W. Henry and John R. Foley. New Members. Wm. M. Deen, of 33 Beaver street and 1373 'Jth avenue, and John P. Flanagan, of 146 Broadway, have beeu proposed as sfcock members of the Real Estate Exchange. Thos. C. Smith, of IU Broadway, has been pro¬ posed as an annual member. Wants and Offers at the Exchange. (For the week ending Friday, September 23d.) The items under the head of " wanted" are condensed statements showing what sort of property the broker, whose "number" precedes the item, wishes to secure for clients. The items under *' offered " give the location, size, cost, and a brief description of the property offered for sale by the broker whose '* number " precedes the item. NO. WANTED. PBIOE 121 From 15th to 23d street, befcween 5th and Tth avenues. House. .................................................$35,000 to $35,000 184 In Sth or 9th Ward. DweUing house and full lot. Old build¬ ing may suit........................................13.ii00 to 18,000 337 $3,500 on second mortgage, six montbs or a year. On prop¬ erty woi'th $30,000 aud subject to first mortgage of $9,u00.. 439 Above 59th street, between Madison aud Lexiugton avenues. Four-story brown stone house. About.................... 25,000 468 Plot 50 to 75 feet front, from UOth to 135th street between 5fch and 8ih avenues, in exchange for a tenement in West 4ath street..................................................... 1019 Betweeu 43d and 59Lh streets, Lexington and 5th avenues. A four-story brown stone residence; must be 30 foot front..,. 40,000 1019 In 19th Wai-d. Four-story brown stoue residence; must be 35 feet front..........................................3u,000 to 40,000 1073 Between 34th and 50th streets, Stn and 4lh avenues. Three lots, 75x100, which owner will improve to suit tenant for long lease................................................. OFFERED. 5 West 53d street, No. 144. Threestory, high stoop, brown stone, 20x45x94.1......................................... 16,500 63 44th street. No. 554 West. Four-story brick tenement. Rent for $600. Must sell....................................... 6,500 63 Broadway, No. 15^0. between 44th and 45th streets. To rent. Large store, 23x100. Rent................................ 1,800 63 47fch street, between 6th aveuue and Broadway. Three-story brown stone house with extension. For sale.............. 20,000 63 Slst street. No. 346 West. Threestory brown stone, newly painted and papered. To rent............................ 1,000 63 llth avenue, uear 48th street. Four-story brick tenement, 25 xSOxlOU. For sale........................................ 18,500 65 Broad street, No. 1*j2. Now being altered. Sfcores, offices and flats to rent. Plaus at office............................... 65 Pine street, No. 54. Offices to let from $ 150 up............... 65 Broadway, Nos. 135 and 137. A few offices to rent WiU be pufc in good order. Low rent.............................. 65 Broadway, No. 149. Three light rooms on first floor. Rent.. 2,000 65 Broadway, No. 177. Large basement to rent................. 65 Tremont, No. 1761 Washington avenue. Rent................ 480 67 Between 3'Jth and 34th streets, 5th avenue and Broadway. Four-atory high stoop house, 33x50x100.................... 45,000 184 Near Exchange place, between Wall and Beaver aud New and WUliam streets. Old buUdings; when fuUy rented $30,0JO per annum................,............................... 180,000