Columbia University Libraries Digital Collections: The Real Estate Record

Real estate record and builders' guide: v. 28, no. 716: December 3, 1881

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1120| The Real Estate Record December 3,1881 result before flve yeax-s are over in enormously increasing the buUion product of the United States. It now averages about $77,000,000 per annum, but ten years time ought to quadruple that product at the present rate of development. The famous Storm King, near Cornwall-on-the- Hudson, is being torn to pieces by miners. It is said that gold, silver and copper have been found and the prospectors hope to find it in pay¬ ing quantities. Having possession of three papers of the As¬ sociated Press, one more will put Gould, Field & Co. into control of that organization, which is composed of seven newspapei's. It is clear that the World is being used to try and capture the Herald. In the first place, the typographical ap¬ pearance of the World is changed so as to seem like the Herald. The marriage and death column in the Herald is one of its most popular features, and of these announcements it has a monopoly among the daily press. Now comes the World with an announcement that it will publish marriages and deaths all over the country; it is also aiming to get the servant-girl advertis¬ ing. It really looks as if Gould is coming the Manhattan tactics on the press, and that be hopes to capture the Herahl by means of the World. The transfer of the Times property to George Jones, though an important one, is robbed of its significance by the consideration not being made public. The transaction was owing to the settling of the Morgan estate. When the old Brick Church property was fii-st purchased, it was quite an event in the real estate history of New York, but its re-sale to George Jones, in 1S81, was a very ordinary event, judged by what little was said of it. A PALATIAL BROWN STONE DWELLING. On the north side of Sixty-third street, 100 feefc east of Fifth avenue, there has recently been completed a magnificent private resi¬ dence, that in all particulars will compare favor¬ ably with any house that has ever been erected on Manhattan Island for the purpose of sale. The location of this house cannot be excelled, as ifc is but a stones throw from our charming Central Pai'k, and in close proximity to all the superb mansions that are being and have been completed on Lenox Hill for the occupancy of the millionaires, of not only our own city, but of the whole country. The house is 25x 70, with a two-story extension of 30 feet. The cellar is paved with English cement, six inches thick, laid on a bed of two feet of broken stone, and contains two furnaces with all the latest improvements, and one of Erickson's engines operated by gas to force water into the large tank at the top of the house, which has a capacity of 750 gallons. The feature of the cellar is the unusual amount of light obtained in it, and it has been the object of much favorable com¬ ment among builders. All the modern improvements in plumbing have been brought into play, the pipes being tin-lined throughout. The basement contains the billiard room, kitchen, storeroom and laundry, as well as the dumb-waiter and passenger elevator which runs to the top of the house, and is lighted fi-om above the roof. The firsfc floor is finished throughout in the most substantial and highly orna¬ mental manner, the parlor, which is in the front of the house, being in rosewood and ebony, and is fur¬ nished with an extra large beveled mirror extend¬ ing to the ceiling. . Adjoining the parlor, and connected with it by the handsomest of sHding doors, is the music room which contain two superb mirrors, one a p'er extending to the ceiling, the other of an oval character of unique design. Adjoining the music room aud connecting with it as well as the dining room is the smoking-room, which contains a window opening in the clear. The exten¬ sion is fitted up for a dining room, with butler's pan- tiy extension and a private servants'i-taircase con¬ necting with the kitchen. It is finished in oak and root and contains an elaborate mantelpiece with mir, ror and open fire-place, containing the newest thing m the way of grates, which was furnished by William H. Jackson & Co., who supplied everything needful in their line throughout the house. The floors are of the finest quartered oak, with borders of an exceedingly attractive and original design. The beams throughout the entire house are of well-seasoned pine. The second floor is arranged in the saloon style and contains four chambers, with dressing rooms as well as bath rooms aad,water closets. Thesa^roomi are finished in wal - nut and French walnufc, and ornamented with flve beveled mirrors of charming design. There are three chambers on the third floor, finished in oak and maple- while the fourth floor has flve bed rooms, trimmed in oak and root. The main staircase is of highly polished rosewood and ebony. The front of the house is builfc of first-class Co»necticut brown stone, known as monu¬ ment stone, and ifc was all cut, rubbed and set on its natural bed so as to harmonize in all narticulars, and. in connection with the handsom- entrance and exten¬ sive bay-windows extending to the roof is very effec¬ tive, aud presents a most imposing appearance from Fifth avenue. The westerly wall, facing Fifth avenue, is of flnely pressed brick. Mr. James Fettretch, the owner and builder, has given his personal and unre¬ mitting attention to the erection of this house since its inception. No expense has been spared lo make this house perfect in all minor details, sueh as the latest improvements in electric bells, electric burglar alarms and the necessary wires for lighting the entire house by electric light when the same come into use. We congratulate Mr. Fettretch on having completed a house which is nofc only an ornament to this locality, but one that will ever be a worthy monument of him as one of our best builders. SPECIAL NOTICE. Numbers of persons may be seen daily inspecting the many new handsome residences that have been completed on Lenox Hill. The centre of interest, however, for the wealthiest would-be purchasers, is the three magnificent private residences on the south side of Sixty-seventh street, east of Fifth avenue, that were built and are owned by Ira E. Doying. There seems to be but one—in fact, there can be but one—opinion about these houses, and if any of the wealthy seekers after new and commodious homes have not yet inspected these houses, they should do so at once, for, even if they should not purchase, they will have spent a profltable hour in seeing to what perfection modern building has been brought. Those fond of stained glass decorations will flnd it brought into unique and tasteful uses in these houses. When we say that Mr. Doying superintended the erection of these superb residences, from their inception to their completion, down to the minutest details, no further comment is necessary. THE ASSESSMENT COMMISSION. Since our last report, the Assessment Commission have transacted the following business. At the re¬ quest of Isaac L Miller, the Corporation Counsel con¬ senting, the decision of the Commissioners in the mat¬ ter of Sherwood rendered on September 15th was, on motion, made their decision in matter of Kip as to assessments for sewers in Seventh avenue, between One Hundred and Twenty-first and One Hundred and Thirty-seventh streets, and in Sixth avenue between One Hundred and Twenty-ninth and One Hundred and Forty-seventh streets, and the clerk was directed to prepare certificates reducing assessment. In the matter of O. B. Potter, assessment for regu¬ lating, grading, and paving Eighth avenue from Fifty- ninth to One Hundred and Twenty-second streets, Mr. John C. Shaw presented a portion of the evi¬ dence on behalf of the petitioner, after which the further consideration of this matter was postponed. OUT AMONG THE BUILDERS. Mr. Robert H. Robertson has just completed the plans for the new Madisonia venue Methodist Episcopal Church, to be erected on the northeast corner of Madison avenue and Sixtieth street. It will be bufit in the Romanesque style, of free-stone, with a central tower 175 feet; high. The Sunday School building wiU adjoin tho church, ana will be 32x89. The clear story of the church'and the lantern of the tower wfil both be of terra cotta. It wiU have a seating capa¬ city of 750. The flrst story of the Sunday school building will be used for parlors, and the upper part for school purposes. Work will be commenced on the opening of next spring, and the cost of this ele¬ gant church ediflce wiU be $100,000. Among the many prominent gentlemen connected with this organization are Messrs. William H. Falconer, J. B. & J. M. Cornell, and Bowles Colgate. The plans submitted hy Messrs. Pugin & Walter have been adopted by fche new Memorial Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn. The church will be erected on the corner of Seventh avenue and St. Johns place, and it will be in ihe early English Gothic style. The dimension will be 98x100, including the Sunday school annex. It will be built of red granite, with a steeple dressed with Ohio stone.; Cost, about $46,000. The plans for huilding an extension to cover the whole lot as well as to remodel the old Moller house, on the northeast corner of Fifth avenue and Thirty- second street, are being "drawn by Roberfc H. Robert¬ son, for the Knickerbocker Club. The extension wUl be of brick with brown stone trimmings, in conform¬ ity with the main building. The first floor will be used for billiard and smoking rooms and cafe, tha second for dining rooms, and the third as a kitchen and sei-vants' dining room. The club expect to ex¬ pend $50,000 'on this improvement to their new club house, and will commence operations as soon as Mr. Cornelius Vanderbilt vacates the premises for his new man.sion further up fche avenue. Judge Van Vorst contemplates erecting during the winter and spring a handsome villa at Nyack. It will be of stone and [open timber construction, and will cost about $15,000. Mr. Horace Gi-eeley Knapp is the architect. The buildings belonging to the Charlick estate in Thirty-fourth street, between Seventh and Eighth avenues, are to be converted into elegant flats, eight stories high, at a cost of about $200,000, from designs by Horace Gret-ley Knapp. Mr. James Renwickjsjengaged on plans for a new residence for Vicar-General Quinn. It is to be erected on the southwest corner of Madison avenue and Fifty- flrst street, and will be in the same style, but on a smaller scale, as the Cardinals. The block of ground bounded by Second and Third avenues and Sixty-eighth and Sixty-ninth streets, is to be ini]iroved by the erection of a row of flats with stores on either avenue, and private dwellings on the streets. The work of excavating and grading will be commenced without delay, the contract having been entered into by John D. Crimmins, and its cost will be about $100,000. This propertj is rich in reminiscences, some of which are given in detail in another column. The work of rebuilding . Mayer & Bachmann's brewery, at Cliffcon, Bfaten Island, was commenced this week. The flrm have dissolved partnership, and the business will be carried on by Mr. Bachmann. The contract for rebuilding has been awarded to Police Commissioner Wolf. Mrs. Catherine Fettretch will erect a flat house from designs by D. S. McKrae, afc No. 113 Wesfc One Hundred and Twenty-fourth street. Ou the north side of Seventy-eighth street, 250 west of Ninth avenue, Ferd. Hemmerling proposes to erect a flat house. Architect, John Brandt. Julius Boekell has completed the plans for a flat house to be erected at No. 39 St. Marks place. The lot of ground on Seventy-ninth street, 325 east of Third avenue, is to be improved by the erection of a flat house, by Mrs. Sarah T. McCool. Architect, J. C. Burne. John Totten will commence at once the erection of a flat house, at No. 406 West Forty-seventh street, from designs by C. F. Ridder, Jr. THE TAX SALE. The corporation commenced the flrst tax sale held since 1874, in the Court House, on Thursday last. A. S. Caely conducted the sale, which attracted quite a number of buyers. The property was sold to the person who would take it and pay the charges against it for its use for the shortest length of time. The property sold was that lying in the flrst six wards of the city. The sftle will be continued to-day. MARKET review! REAL ESTATE. ^r~ Por Ust of lots and bonses for sale See pages 11 and iii of advertisements* The market seems dull. But little was done at ths Real Estate Exchange, yet it is worthy of notice that every sale brings> large crowd. Dealers report an active investment demand and considerable inquiry from small capitalists, hut. While several large specu¬ lative sales are incubating, none are reported this week. The demand seems to be for small lots, by capitalists of limited means. But very few conces¬ sions are made in prices. The tone is unmistakably strong and steady. The sale of the Brooks estate on Tuesday brought out quite a crowd, and fair prices were secured for the parcels sold. The house in Fifth avenue, opposite the Windsor Hotel, brought 895,200. It is said to have been bid in by the attorney for the estate. It is very rare for a house in that choice locality to come into the market. The only sales of consequence during the comhig week are those by E. H. Ludlow & Co., the flrst of which takes place on Tuesday, on which occasion the southwest corner of Fifty-eighth street and Madison avenue, 100x120, wfil be sold. On Thursday will be sold the Knickerbocker Club House, on the southeast corner of Fifth avenue and Twenty-eighth street. The Allen estate, at Leg¬ gett's Point, some twenty-three acres in all, will also be sold by the same auctioneers on Friday, December 9th. We do not hear of any extensive sales of the houses buUfc during the past summer and fall. There are a great many of unsold houses and some of the builders are doubtless wiUing to make concessions in price. In view of the'good prices which certain im¬ proved properties have brought on the Exchange, it might pay for the builders to each put Pn four or five