The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-01-24

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The Metropolitan Hotel, broadway.
In point of design and arrangements, of the many
groups of buildings in Broadway, assuming the
appearance Of a single house, this is the most
extensive. The front on Broadway is 500 feet, and
that on Prince street 2l0 Feet with its return on
Crosby street. 1t presents an imposing, and even
q grand aspect and character; but when We view
the parts and ascertain their appropriation, we
see the spirit Of trade combined with tho. Of luxury
Considering the fashion and fame Of Broadway, and
the extravag ant prices of ground, readily admit
that such union is lsudable. The spirited in
vester, Mr. p. s. Vanrensse!aer, has evinced much
skill and energy in the erection Of such costly
structure. The faeaie on Broadway may DO said to
be divided into three the centre being the prin.
cipal entrance to the hotel The Two wings,
north and south OF tho building, are laid out
SIS stores in the icst story on Broadway. Tne
centre, or principal entrance TO the hotel, aud
the whole superstruct1re, six stories are cased
with brown stone. the first sscry is supported
with Ionic columns and pilasters beautifully exc!
cuted, the centre forming a distinct fcsture from
the rest; it breaks out about foot, with large
areas at each side Of tho principle entrance,
guarded with stone baiusters and Gaping The
two extreme ends Of the building also break ont
with large areas the windows are crowned with
pcdiment, segment, and straight heads, supported
by rich ornamental tusses, and so we'll arranged
to give great architectural effect to the rsnt the
whole is surmounted By splendid truss oornice.
Between the tiussss are panels which form the
windows thatli2ht the upper story. In addition OF
the present appearance Of the 'front.' in Broadway,
the city arms, scup;ured IN white marble, will be
placed in the centre over the frat story, emolematic
OF the name OF this extensive establishment.
Entering the building on Broadway, to the LEFT is
the gentemans general receptisn parior, "a feet
wide, and 20 feet long, at the end OF which is the
office. This room is well lighted by Two handsome
windows on Broadway, ard three in the rear. The
floor is laid with white marble tiles; lis panelled
walls, and painted ceiIiog. add much 10 the effect
OF this room. On the right is tho ladies' reception
parlor, which is replcts With the req nire ments
cessary in order to ALLOW ladies 70 arrange their
dress after the fatigue of long travel Both Of those
paylors have Their separate entrances from the
street, also from tie large vestbula hall, from
which starts the grand staircase This stairs is OK
cellently situated. both for convenience and archi
tectural display, and ascends tue whole hoight of
the building, occupying q space IS feet by q. 1t
consists Of one centre and two side lights ascending
to each story, guarded with large turned balussers
and o massive hand rail- At each half pace arc
three windows, decorated with Corinthian pill a3ters
and entabiature, on landing in the second story.
In which ever ego glances it is struck
by pleasing view from this spot. Both the hall
staircase and upper yestiole behold to very
great advantage, the hall extending nearly the
whole length of the building, decorated with
series Of pasters, arcbed tiansoms, &C.. the orna-
mental parts OF which are seen to great effect By
the amount of light admitted through it's many
windows
The public parlors on thiaHoor are four connected
SO as to be used in coDunction or sep lrasely They
are very spacious. and are to bo fitted up in style
of costly maenifcenco with painted ceilings, rich
hangings, end draperiss. The remaining portion Of
this story, which is very considerable is beautifully
arranged in suites Of rooms, that family may
occupy two or three parlors, and any bedrooms,
with bath rooms wash. basins, g., forming a
beautiful combination, together with simplicity
OF taste and novel decorations. The arrangements
Of these rooms certainly superior to any this
or any other city. On the left OF the principal
stairs is the readingroom, Is feet by "a feet weu
lighted and han tsomely decorated. This room be-
situation gives great advantage to those that wish
to read The ladies' ordinary, So feet wide by lO4
feet long, and Of great height, is situated on
Prince street side Of the building and is lighted by
the ceiling carved and painted, its walls paneled
with great taste. The whole appearance of this
room is very beautiful The gentlemen's ordinary,
Of the Same size, and similar dnish, is on the floor
below.
Returning to the ftairs, at every step the specta.
torvievs fresh combination Of for ms and constantly
varying perspective. In this respect, the halls Of
the Metropolitan are unrivalied and infinitely SUI
beauty. We now ascend to the third story. Tho
arrangements OF the paliors, bedrooms, &c for
ymetrical beauty and accommodation. are in
very respect the same In the rear Of the centre
the building. on Broadway. is tie chHdren's
ordinary, q feet by 80 feet--the neatness Of its
finish is quite in keeping viii what it is set apart
The arrar gemenss Of the fourth and fCth Stories
as to pailors and bedrooms, &c are much the same
as those we have mentioned. From thess may be
seen the North River, Jersey City Hoboken sc.
The upper story Is most comfortably arranged fer
bedrooms. The me6ps OF ingress end egeess in this
house are mos. complete. There arc Eve ssaircasss
communicating with the strees-thrce on Broadway
and two on Prince street. The stairs next Broad
way, in Prince street, which are called the ladies'
private entrance slairs, are not Anything inferior
to tho grand stairs in Broadway.
we now descera to the basement the arrano,-
ments Of which are most complose it contains the
bar and smoking room, the public bathing es.ab-
Mhment, the aiLimportant man, the psrfumer.
Inc mode OF heating this immense structure il
most complete, BY means Of circulation of hot
water, which is carried throughout the whole
building, IN iron pipes; there heat is more re-
CURED, stacks OF pipes arc erected, enclosed with
perforated iron panels. From the heating arrange
ments We pass 10 tho room for drying the house
linen &c-this room receives its beat from the
came source. We nov pass to most important
department. the kitcheI--the ranges, both meat
and vegetable, are very extenSive-the whole OF
tho aIraBg ments in connection with this depart.
ment are not wanting in anything, which tho pub.
lie will lave the means Of testing on the lst o.
Jure next, when The Metropolitan will be opened
for their reception.
The Messrs. Le'ands, Of the Clinton. have
leased this magnificent csta blishment, and there
is no doubt but that they will make it internally
what it is ezternaly-the greatest hotel in tho
United States.