Columbia University Libraries Digital Collections: The Real Estate Record

Real estate record and builders' guide: v. 73, no. 1868 [i.e. 1869]: [January 9, 1904]

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5° RECORD AND GUIDE January 9, 1904 Center street. Chambers street, Broadway, and Reade street, and the portion of the block to the northerly bounded by Reade, Manhattan alley, Duane and New Elm streets, that is to say, the whole of the block to the northerly, of the Chambers street block, with the exception of the westerly end thereof on Broadway containing the "Dun" and "Vincent" buildings, and the three parcels between them. This site would yield the accommodations required, carrying the building to the height only of the present Hall of Records. The small block to the easterly bounded by Elm, Duane, New Elm. and Reade streats, may be acquired for light and air, and for future extensions, although this is not a necessity. Scheme "C" propos'es the occupation of the block bounded by Center street. Chamber street, Broadway and Reade street, but Includes as a possibility the condemnation of the parcels of land to the northerly bounded by Manhattan and Republican alleys and Elm and Reade streets, for the purpose of insuring light, air and quiet to the courts on the first mentioned block. A building restricted to this site, if carried only to the height of the present Hall of Records and maintaining the general features of its mass and architectural organization, would not enclose sufficient space for the accommodations required. By carrying up only the central portion, however, two additional court-room stories in height, this may be accomplished. A twin building of the present Hall of Records would occupy the cornei of Broadway and Chambers street, and the central part of tr to notice in order to insure its adoption. To-day there will be found in some sections of the country buildings of almost every class built of concrete. The old adobes have developed from their rudeness into buildings of artificial stone. This stone i cement can be formed into any size or shape, with face-dressing of any design. Furthermore, these cement blocks are made hollow, insuring dry buildings, as well as making a house warmer in winter and cooler in summer. No great skill is demanded either in the making or setting of these blocks, so that one is not at the mercy of a particular class of mechanics, who would put on the screws at the first oppor¬ tunity. It is well that brick and stone have their proper places in the material market; this, however, can only be secured by the active presence of a meritorious competitor, and we are pleased to know that such a material is already becoming a factor that will grow in importance, possibly as a substitute at first, but later will assert its rights against all comers. EDWARD L. ANGELL. The plan, which has at least been temporarily set aside by injunction proceedings, to pro-vide for pipe and wire galleries in a portion of lower Broad-way, to be built colncidently with the rapid transit subway, but under separate contract, was pre¬ pared by James C. Bayles, consulting engineer, 41 Park Row. The galleries would occupy positions between the roof of the (The Proposed New County Court House.) BLBVATION ON BROADWAY. Israels & Harder, Architects. Chair bers street facade would be continued to a greater height. In this event, the facade on Broadway would be similar to the present easterly facade of the Hall of Records, so far as general jnass and disposition of parts are concerned. tunnel and the surface of the street, and also at the sides of the turnel, and would be from 4 to 7 feet high in the clear and from S to 10 feet wide for the pipe galleries, and 2 feet by 3 feet for the wire galleries. The advantage of such faciUtles as this construction would give are conceded on every hand. Concrete Construction. A COMPETITOR FOR BRICK AND STONE—MAY BRING A .. A REVIVAL OP COUNTRY BUILDING—ADVANTAGES -■- . SET FORTH. "Tt tlie Editor of The Record and Guide: :...A new element, or rather an old one revived, in building material, is gaining a strong foothold in some parts of "the West, and is reaching out, with good prospects of success, .In other Western sections as well as in the Eastern states. This .is,a.most timely innovation, and one that should be encouraged .,ta the fullest extent. Brick and stone have had a monopoly in 'the building market too long. Those controlling them have taken advantage of the situation, and have fixed the price of . .tlieir coJnmoditie,s at whatever figure the demand may encourage. For instance, during the past season the price of brick jumped . toalmost ten dollars a thousand—a prohibitive figure that for- -bade. the initiative of new projects in the building line. Then again,..bricklayer's are ever on the alert to force up wages to a . disastrous- point." The same occurs with the stone cutters and _ aton^ setters.' In Mexico, adobe has been used long and success- , .fully. Iii St. Augustine we have a good example, in the Ponce .._De Leon Hotel,, of what can be done with cement. That the . .adobe.or cemeh't house has not found favor In the States is no doubt due to the fact that brick and stone were easily obtained; . Jjut. these materials are getting near the prohibitive point, and "it is only necessary to have a material of equal merit brought Poison Remedies. Several varieties of fish, at all seasons of the year, are poison¬ ous. The poisonous varieties of mushrooms often cause death.- It is well to know how to treat ail such cases, and the informa¬ tion is given in "Poison-Remedies," one of the series of medical handbooks being issued by The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York. The book is sent on request to any who address the Home Office of the company. New York city. Architectural League Annual Exhibition. The Architectural League announces its nineteenth annual ex¬ hibition to open Feb. 14, at the roms of the League in the building of the American Fine Arts Society. 215 West 57th st. The ex- , hibit will be open from 10 a. m. to 6 p. m.. and from 8 to 10 p. m, Sundays, 12 m. to 6 p.m. There will be public lectures Peb. 17, 24, and March 2. Admission free, excepting on Tuesdays and Thursdays, when 25 cents will be charged. Damages by Subway Construction. The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, by a decision in which all the justices concur has affirmed the decision of a ref¬ eree, who assessed damages in the sum of $89,040 against Freder¬ ick Holbrook, the sub-contractor on the subway, who, It is al¬ leged, maintained a nuisance in Union square, in front of the Ev¬ erett House, of which E. M. Bates is lessee.