Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-12-17
CITY IMPROVEMENTS

PROBABLY no feature of city affords clearer in
olce 10 It's prosperity than the nature and of its
improvements In the way OF buildings wealthy cor
poratlon may improve and beautfy the public grounds
OF a city, but OF commerce, manufactures and the
mechanic arts shall languish little addition will
be thereby made to the real value of the city, Now,
1t happens that In Richmond the converse of this
Is true. The corporation is Poor-very poor-and
It has therefore done little as nproyino the
puolc grounds. But Commerce, Manufactures and the
Mechanic Arts are prosperous; the population of the
city Is rapidly increasing branches of trade are
sprlnsiag up on every SIDE; steady and increasing
demand exists for shops and dwelling houses; own
ers Of real estate, therefore, nd it to their interest
to build and improve their properly and thus the cl-
~ Is lilly progre sslng the most substantial and
desirable mode Old stores the principal business
streets are gradually yielding place to new and ele-
giant warehouses; and substantial and elegant man.
sona are l<lng the place OF the rude structures rear
ed bys h. Ioretathers of the village.
Amongst the most substantial improvements dur
ing the past year IN that section of tine city, may
men ion tha four story brick bui ding erected bv
Messrs. Slebbns. Darraco Il G., on the corner of
Broad and 9Th street. The Blu ding fronts 20 feet on
Broad street, and runs back $50 feet These gentle
mel IS the readers of the 'Tlmes'' are flu " aware
tor they have have always advertised in its coumus)
ears
Past IN the China, Earhen and Cfockery Ware trade
Success crowned their efforts each wear added new
customers to their list tn ir m2orta ioas from Eu.
rope became heavy the building they had hitherto
occupied became ina leq1ate for thu accomm ,da.ion
OF their increased and increasing trade, aud they
wisely dete mined to provide on. more commodous
Taking advantage OF a dull season, they removed
their whole stock, and thea caused the old bal ding to
be RACED t. the ground In incredibly short space
OF time the present building rose on the ruins of
the old one, and old friends are now in their new
warehouse better prepared than ever to serve the pub
lie with wares in their line
A a inll description of the building and its uses
may prove valuable to some of our readers who con-
template following the example set by Messrs Steb
ms, Darracott & Co., we give It here:
The cellar, (Which is dry and loomy) is used for
storing crates, packages. &c. 1t also contains fur
mace erected by Mr.. C. D. Yale, OF ample capacity to
warm he whole builiing.
The Fl st floor is of course used as retail sale.
room Ii is 125 feet in depth, with pitch of ceal ng
IL feet in hegth, This flor is locked with wares OF
all descdpt ons and is really one OF the handsomest
sales-roons have seen.
The secoul floor is devoted principally to the
wholesale trade. On this floor however is packing
room, and saloon devoted to tn. exhibition Of
Chandeliers, ocklagg glasses, NC. A nongs tn. Chan
deliers may b. of the ndsomes st patterns
ever introduced into the city.
The third stoy entirely disconnected from tn,
store, having private ea'rance from 9th street O,
this story, there are several lodging rooms, and
large Hall, 50 feet long, which is admirably adapted
for lecture room, or for the use of public associa-
tons or societies.
The whole building is lighted with gas and supplied
with city water, &c. The front is of iro made with
iron rolling shutters. which are wound up during the
day, and at night aft ,rd perfect security against fir
and robbers. They male by D. D. Badger &
Co., New York.
The brick work was done by Clam & D,vi 8, the
carpenters By Glaz-brook & Lacy, tn painting by
F. P. Smith, and the iron balcony by j. 2 & l.. l..
Barnes. The plate glass in the doors and windows
is the finest English fiat plate, and was obtained in
The city of New York.
The Whole establishment is one of the handsomest
10 the city, and rejects great credit upon the and
llbefa ity OF the enterprisiag p,opretors. We wish
them continued Success, and trust the example they
have set ia improving th-ly property, may be
speedily followed by other merchants GA the same