The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-16
IMPROVEMENTS ON BROADWAY.
THE PHGNix HEATRE.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDINGS,
DC, &C., DC.

piete with suggestion in regard to citys growth
There is hardly block between the Battery and
Union square that is not undergoing alterations Of
some kind or other A man who should now walk
it, for the first time in five years, would not re-
c0gnise the street. from any thing in ts former ap
pearance which might still live in his memory. Old
frame buildings have given way to marble halls,
wider streets stretch out from it on every side and
The spirit OF improvements still borne onward with
railroad speed. We will give sketch of the various
changes BOW being made along this street.
The first of importance is on the corner Of Broad
way and Cortlan 1t streets. This tract of ground,
fiftyfve by one hundred feet, is being built upon
by Mr.. p. Gilsey. Upon it formerly stood small
frame buildings used as segar shops, dengraving
and match and backing stores. Mr.. Gilsey, we
derstand holds lease upon this property for twenty
years, at rent of $4,000 per annum, for which he
has refused $l0O0O0 The new building here is to
be of iron and is intended to be one Of the finest or
naments in the city.
Progressing up, the next vacant space is the lot
whereon stood the late store of w. T. Jennings Il
CO., destroyed by fire, well remembered on account
of the sad calamity attending it. Upon this we
derstand, is shortly to be erected fine store.
On the corner Of Warren street is new building
just completed, built after the style Of Stewards dry
goods store, and of the same material. We have be-
fore described this in the HERALD.
The next improvement is on the corner Of Cham
bers street. the old site of Tiffany, Young Ellis.
Here is to be erected elegant structure for the
Central Bank, adjoining the Chemical. The size of
this lot is Is by 6S feet and the structure is to
have beautiful front of ornamented marble, and
will cost not less than 100000. When this is COM
pleted, together with Stewards, the Irving House,
the Chemical Bank building, and the famous stores
ON Chambers street. it will give to this part of the
city an imposing appearance. The old building is
already demolished, and the foundation Of the new
one is about being laid.
Now proceeding as high as Canal street, our ad-
miration is again taxed in behalf of the Brandreth
building standing this corner, but not quite
completed. The dimensions of these premises 81
feet on Broadway, 12S feet on Canal, l26 on Lispe-
nard and Sc in the rear giving the whole triangular
shape. 1t will be perceived that an architect upon
such shaped lot must work at great disadvantage.
Notwithstanding this splendid edifce has been
erected here, six stories high having brown stone
exterior and challenging competition with the finest
of Broadways decorations. 1t is owned by Dr. Bran
dreth and will cost short of $l6oO0O. 1t is in
tended for stores
On the next block above, Mr.. Dibblee is making
great alterations. Two stores are being thrown
into one the building to be very neatly finished
and the premises inside to be gorgeously fitted up
in short to be made palace of mirrors for the hair
dressing business. Lberality in expenditure is to
make this another of Broadways richest attractions
On the corner of Howard street, extensive inn
provcments are being made on the former building,
fitting it up for insurance companies and Offices.
The next of the new buildings, is the Institution
for the Savings of the Merchants Clerks, directly
opposite the st. Nicholas. This bank started with
rooms in the old Clinton Hall, on the corner of
Beekman and Nassau, but the moving Of the
Mercantile Library Association compelled its di-
rectors to look for quarters. lot, rs feet by
1OO directly in front of the middle entrance of the
st. Nicholas Hotel was purchased, and upon it has
iust been completed splendid white marble edice
four stories high. Adjoining this, reaching to the
corner of Spring street. five lots, which are now
Being cleared for the erection of some more grant
buildings for stores. Upon these lots have hereto
fore stood small two story brick houses, only few
years ago private residences and very lately
pied as tailor shops and retail fancy stores. They
are all now nearly leveed with the ground, and soon
in their place no doubt will stand buildings worthy Of
association with the St. Nicholas.
Continuing our way upward, on the next block
and on the same side of the street with the last
toned changes, stands, adjoining DIR. Chapin's
church. a stately and highly ornamental building,
Just finished for Tiffany, Young Il Co., at . cost Of
near s50,0C0. This is Of white marble, and five
stories high. Adjoining this edifce, three lots are
cleared away the substance of the former buildings
being piled along the sidewalk. Upon these we un-
dersta nd Capt French is about to erect two hand
some marble stores, equal to anything that stands
along this thoroughfare. The three great hotels,
the Metropolitan, the Prescott and the st. Nicholas
al within call Of each other, associated with these
great improvements when finished will make this
spot the great point Of Broadway.
We are next Intercepted in our walk on the sue
ceeding block, at the corner Of Houston street.
Here three new stores have been marked cut, two OF
which are but just finished, and the other is now
rapidly approaching completion. The first OF these
isa large brown stone building six stories high and
that adjoining is Of white marble five stories high;
The corner building is on q triangular piece OF
ground, of about half the dimensions Of lot cut
diagonally. brick building is going up here,
with window caps similar to those of the Prescott
House. These give the premises highly orna-
mented appearance, and the three buildings, when
completed, will be well worthy the association with
their majestic and august neighbors.
On the corner Of Beecker street masons and car
penters are busly at work erecting two buildings
for stores; both of these are to be of brick and six
stories high. They have already gone up two sto-
xies, and will soon be completed.
THE PHOENIX THRATRR
The next spot that courts our attention, is the
ute of the late Metropolitan Hall and Lafarge Hotel
destroyed by are last winter But few Of our citizens
arc aware that here is being built that which bids fair
70 rival all the other theatrical establishments in the
metropolis. Mr.. J. M. Trimble, the well known arch
1ect who designed and bulk the Broadway theatre
Che Tripler Hall, Gas it was first called, and many
others Of the first buildings in the city, Is now upon
This spot, striving to outdo all his former triumphs
The friends Of Wright, Lanier Co., the pro
prietors of the Lafarge House at the time Of its de-