The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-06-22


come under the notice OF any one at all conversant
with this city, serve to confirm the first Impressions
Of its gre atness which observer seldom fails 10
have impaired to him his arrival, and on the
most cursory glance. Its beautiful position, almost
insular-its vast commercial transactons-its ac-
cumulating wealth--ts swelling populaton--all
these carry the mind forward TO future, and not
distant PERIOD when New York will present features
of magnitude, and we hope, magnlicence, worthy
OF the title il already can justly clam, the Me-
tropolis OF the United States.
Intimately connected with these topics is the
chtectural growth Of this city; 1t Is the index
which points out, in most cases. accurately the true
state and operation OF the several elements OF adj
vancement. For, SO far, the extent and quality of
the architectural improvements OF New York have
borne very exact ratio to its growth in other re
spects; and there is none who can be otherwise
than struck with the large portion OF tins city, espe-
cially towards the northern extremity, which is
quite new, and every month is adding to its hand
some buildings. One is continually kept in mind of
this matter he passes along the Streets by the
convenience attending the operations of the mason.
Bricks and mortar, dust, the rubbish Of old walls
and other materials for new ones, impede the
steps of the wayfarer and present prominent
drawback to the pleasure afforded at beholding
public Improvements in any shape. Every day,
too, adds to its numbers Of new corners from
every point of the compass. Groups of men,
women and children, pour into the already crowd
ed streets, and as they assemble in groups or
wend their way along the public thorougbfares,
the consideration naturally presents itself, where
are all those strangers going to take up their
quarters! Now, that is question in which all are
very much interested. The man whose property
consists in the rental of houses will not fail have
his attention called TO the fact of increased de-
mand for dwellings and take advantage of it.
That very numerous class who pay for and occupy
houses belonging to others, are highly concerned
in the question of demand and supply, for on these
depends the price, and that touches the pocket.
Besides, every single citizen is concerned in having
adequate household accommodation, a matter
in which the public health and salubrity of the
city is involved. 1t will matter very little indeed,
whether the streets are clean TO walk upon, if
those who walk upon them are less and this
they can hardly be- if they are cabined, cribbed,
confined for want of proper supply of house-room
The public health depends in a great degree upon
an adequate provision for domestic comfort in this
way, as may be seen the cases of those densely
populated European cities, where contagious dis
/ eases ever and anon break forth among the msera-
Il VIC, Pooiiy leu, anu "oioo Houseu occupants vi
cellars and garrets.
| Notwithstanding these facis-tha there is a vast
annual increase in the population-that property is
thereby enhanced in value-that there is great
| abundance of capital to invest in building-that
the investment would be the very best that could
be made notwithstanding that the public health
| is Intimately connected with proper supply of
house-rOom, and that the giant strides OF this vast
commercial emporium in every other particular, ur-
gently demand proporonate and concomitant
advancement in this one-lt Is quite PLAIN that the
increase OF household accommodation is not keep
| ing pace with the increased demand and that the
magnitude and elegance of New York-lts growth
in stature and external appearance however striking
| are not faithful indexes OF the rapdity and uni
/ tOrmly OF It's onward career.
This opinion is the result OF an accurate lnvestl-
gatIon it is not based speculation or conjecture
We have taken means to ascertain the buildings
now being erected over the length and breadth of
this great cityto investigate the leading features
of change that should naturally expect IN pres
ent circumstances. There never was another in
which there is more room tor enterprise, or more
need of Improvement, than this good city OF New
York
Many and long have been the complaints about
the state of the streets but there is no less reason
to deplore the shabbiness of the houses in many
quarters 1t is quite unaccoun,ablc that owners of
property in Washington street are not better aware
| OF its value, or at least what 1t will be-what it
must be, in the course OF few years, from its stu
| alton. In short time, when the commercial ope-
| raons OF the city are so increased as to require
| further accommodation, where can 1t be had 30
conveniently IN this street. Placed contiguous 10
and parallel with the North River, will be the CEN
ire of vast business operations Is to-day the case
with Pearl or Water streets, &c. Yet 1t is one OF
the flthlest, most irregular, and least attractive
| streets that can be found; 1t has special air OF
| repulsive detection about It and all this Is very
hard to account for, excellenty situated as 1t Is
Another district to which the same remarks would
apply, is that which lies between Centre street,
part of Chatham street and Bowery. a visitor, by
day, this portion OF the city, will find that al
though near the centre OF the city, It is not the
centre of attraction, and be disposed TO inquire
what sent into existence Tor, 1t not TO scent
with curious perfumes the surrounding districts,
for which purpose it is admirably situated A stroll
by night into this odorlfer0us vicinity will not be
| one whit more ediylng. We will venture to say
| that in certain streets In this neighboIhood more
rascality OF all sorts may be witnessed IN any gwen
time, than in any other section OF New YORK. 1t
| is hard to account for such moral deforniiy
fiOurshing there all sides, surrounded by neat
ness, order and industry and such a blotch IN the
very heart OF the city, is an anomaly, and should
| awaken some effolti 10 remove IL.
| In illustration of the views to which we have
given expression, the following sketch OF the build
ngs now going forward is submitted, and 1t must
appear plain that their number is not so great M
| The hustle, the noise OF the hammer and the OBJ
stacles presented by building operations TO passers
| bye, would lead them to suppose
In Chatham street the )uses now building are.
Washington street. ................ q
In addition to which there is extensive block stores
between this street and the North river, and facing
the quay, say ''''''''' 800
trreenWIch street,.
Spruce street. ........................2
Madison street.. ..............
James street..
Catherine street..
Division street..
Eldrdge street..
Bayard street.. .....................
Centre street.. ................ ............
Leonard street.. ............
West Broadway. .......... .................
Chamber street. Il
Warren street ............... .......l
MURRAY street. Il
Courtlandt street. IL
Pearl street. ................ IL
Il
Corner of Gold and Plat streets. ......".......2
| .n,IJ