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Real estate record and builders' guide: v. 79, no. 2033: March 2, 1907

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442 RECORD AND GUIDE March 2, 1907 "\'J^' ^^=^^1%^ "\2J^" THE REALM OF BUILDING .fOl£?L l*lans for the Enlaigecl Ma.ltiniqiic. BROADWAT.—The Eecord and Guide was informed on Tues¬ day at the office of W. R. H. Martin, owner of the Martinique. 56 West 33d st, that operations for the proposed addition to that hotel which will mark the completion of Mr. Martin's original plans for that structure are to be commenced as soon as the new "Marbridge" building, now under course of erection at Cth av, northeast corner 34th st, is ready to open. The present hotel, a IG-sty building, occupies the plot fronting 67.10 ft. at Nos. 54-5S West 33d st, having a depth of half the block, or 08.9 ft., with an "L" in Broadway at Nos. 1264- 1208, 39.2 ft., having a depth of 74.2 ft. The new portion will occupy the jiortheast corner of Broadway and 32d st, now oc¬ cupied by the Kogers-Peet building, a 5-sty briclt structure, which will be demolished as soon as the Kogors-Peet Co. move to the Olb av and 34th st corner. In June, 190.5, it will be re¬ called. Mr. Martin commissioned Henry J. Hardenberg, of 1 West 34th St. to prepare plans for these improvements. It was estimated at that time that the cost of the new portion, and alterations to the old, would total $2,500,000. The building contract has not yet been awarded. Chas. T. Wills, of 150 5tli av. has been Mr. Martin's builder in previous operations. The improvement of the southeast corner of Broadway and 33d st, 118.6 ft. on Broadway and 97.4 ft. on the street, with the 20-sty hotel which Geo, B. Wilson and Felix Isman, of Philadelphia. Pa., are to erect, will complete the block, making this the largest hotel district in Manhattan. This structure is being planned by Architect R. E. White, of Philadelphia, Pa., and is estimated to cost about $2,000,000. (See issue Feb. 9. 1907.) Mai-vel of Beauty is Mexican Postofiice. CITT OF MEXICO—The flrst of a superb group of government buildings, most of them already under construction, has just been finished in Mexico City, The new post oflice building, the corner¬ stone of wiiich was laid on Sept. 14, 1902, now awaits only the special furniture ordered from the United States to be complete. Architecturally the new post office is unexcelled by any build¬ ing in the country, and as a thing of real beauty surpasses, in the opinion of many, even the Congressional Library at Wash¬ ington, It is far superior to any office building owned by the United States government. The interior of the building is in rare marbles, mosaics and bronze. Every bid of decoration is of the finest material, and the imitation stone and marble which have so often been re¬ marked in otherwise handsome buildings in Mexico are nowhere to be seen. The new post office building is the first government building in Mexico of any architectural design worthy of the name. It is of fireproof construction, its frame being the first steel frame to go up in Mexico City. Erie Eailro.icl Improvements Under Way. From all appearances the Erie Railroad is now making active preparations for the construction of Its proposed terminal shops at Jersey City. The company purchased property in Jersey City for terminal purposes over a year ago. Plans have been prepared and reconsidered time and again, but from all accounts they have not been entirely approved, and beyond the fact that the company proposed to spend about $1,000,000 in shop construction and equipment at tliat point the trade has learned but little about the actual plans. It is now stated that the company is filling in the property at Jersey City for the pro¬ posed terminal with material excavated in connection with the work in constructing the open cut through Bergen Hill, and making other excavations for a four-track system through that section. The company is pushing work on its suburban division with a view to increasing its passenger facilities, and it is probable that the terminal shops will be rebuilt in connec¬ tion with the railroad's plans for adding to and improving its New Jersey system. J^iVE\. Plans for the New Nineteenth Wjird Bank. 34TH ST.—William Emerson, of No. 281 Sth av. has been commissioned to design the plans for the new branch building which the IDth Ward Bank, 9.53 3d av, is to establish at Nos. 152- 1-54 West 34th st. Tlie structure will be fireproof, two stories in height, similar in construction to the 72d st branch, which was erected last year. The exterior will be in limestone, with a tile or gravel roof. The interior will be fitted in Caen stone, re¬ sembling an artificial marble, with tile and marble trimmings. Work will not begin demolishing and clearing the site before Oct. 1. Four buildings will be torn down. Mr. Emerson will receive all figures, awarding all contracts. Chinatown to Have an Arcade. MOTT ST.—Maximilian Zipkes. architect, 147 4th av, has been commissioned by Commissioner J. Alexander, State Inspector of Gas Metei-s for the State of New Tork, to prepare plans for alterations to tliree old buildings and the erection of a new 2-sty building covering a plot running from Mott st to Doyer st. It is intended to build an arcade which will connect these streets and construct booths on each side. The improvement is estimated to cost about $20,000. No estimates will be taken until condemnation proceedings have been settled; this prop¬ erty being in the centre of the ground intended to be used as a park. Philadelphia Builder Gets Belmont Contract. George F. Payne & Co., No. 401 South Juniper st, Philadelphia, Pa., has obtained the general contract to erect the new $500,000 mansion, 152x109 ft., which Hon. Perry Belmont. 580 Sth av, Manhattan, is to erect at New Hampshire av, I8lh and R sts. Washington, D, C. Work has already been commenced. The structure wil! have an Indiana liinestone exterior, with carved facades. Horace Trumbauer, Philadelphia, Pa., is architect. Mr. Belmont denies the report current in real estate circles that be has sold his town residence. No. SSO Sth av, Manhattan. He says no negotiations for its sale are pending. Propo.sed Plan a Substitute for Bridges. Contractor D, D. McBean. of No 13-21 Park Row and the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, has prepared plans for a type of tunnel as a substitute for bridges. The scheme is advocated especially for a system of thoroughfares under the East and North Rivers. Mr. McBean proposes to construct a tunnel at least 100 ft. in width, with sufficient room for roadways for teams and automobiles, four car tracks and sidewalks. Such a tunnel is estimated to cost less than any bridges of equal capacity. For the terminals a system of elevators is proposed for cars and teams as well as passengers. large Contract for Murphy Constnietioii Co. LAFATETTE ST.—The directors of the American Brass and Copper Company, No. 193 Centre st, have commissioned the Mur¬ phy Construction Company, Nos. S-7 East 42d st, to design the plans and erect the new 12-sty business structure which they will build on the southwest corner of Lafayette and Howard sts, on a plot 100.-5x87 ft. The building will be of steel frame construction, with exteriors of brick and terra cotta. The esti¬ mated cost is placed at about $350,000. (See issue February 10. 1907). Elevator Apartment for Mrtrniugside i'ark. MORNINGSIDE PARK WEST.—The West Side Construction Co., Riverside Drive and 93d st, of which Jacob Axelrod is president, will build on a plot. 100x125 ft., at the southwest corner of Morningside Park West and 118th st, a high-class elevator apartment house, containing all modern improvements. George Fred Pelham, .5U3 Sth av, is the company's architect. No building contracts have yet been awarded. The owners are usually the general contractors, subletting all tlie work. Carrere & Hastings to Beautify Atlantic City. ATLANTIC CITT.. N. J.—Messrs. Carrere & Hastings, No 28 East 41st st, Manhattan, have been appointed architects to prepare plans for the beautification and partial transformation of Atlantic City. The hotel men have formed a combination to supply capital for the undertaking. The avenues are to be widened, unsightly structures razed, and a great boulevard par¬ alleling Pacific av, now the chief drive of the resort, laid out midway between the latter thoroughfare and tbfe ocean front at an estimated cost of .$478,000. Ornamental pavillions in¬ closed in glass and steam heated are to be erected at con¬ venient intervals along the five-mile promenade. The architects will devise a system of illumination, and are to submit their plans to a general committee comprising the city government, hotel proprietors and business men in about two months. The actual work of improvement will be undertaken in the fall. Central Fsu-k West Improvement. CENTRAL PARK WEST.—Louis M. Jones, 350 Broadway, has purchased a plot, 75.8x248 ft., at the northwest corner of Central Park West and 93d st, in all containing nine city lots, on which it is proposed a high elevator apartment house will be erected. Mr. Jones said on Wednesday that no plans have yet been prepared or architect selected. The property is now vacant. Eleven-Story Loft Building fos- Seventeenth St. 17th ST.—Architect Geo. Fred Pelham. 503 Sth av, has been commissioned to prepare plans for an ll-sty loft building to be erected on a plot 53x92 ft., at Nos. 17-19 West 17tb st, at a cost of about $250,0110, The R. M. Silverman Realty & Con¬ struction Co., 66 West 107th st, is the owner. No sub-contracts have yet been issued,