The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-11-22
CITY Improvement Is.

City improvements.
We publish to-day an interesting description
of the most important new buildings now in
course of erection in New York and its vicia-
ity, giving birds eye view Of city improve
ments generally, including business buildings,
elegant dwellings for our millionaires, cosy
residences for our less wealthy classes, tens.
ment houses for our laboring population,
churches for our saints, taverns for our sinners,
magnificent storehouses, public buildings, fac
tories, workshops and suburban villas. Accord
ing to the graphic description and comprehes,
sive views Of our reporter, we are soon to have
metropolis that will vie with London In
wealth and population and excel Paris Ia
beauty and splendor.
The enterprise Of our citizens is very wisely
directed towards these improvements, and
every year adds to the architectural beauty Of
the city. We have already individual build
ings, such as the new HERALD structure, WHICH
will compare favorably with those Of any city
in the world. But the great blemish upon our
general comeliness IL the deplorable want d
uniformity everywhere apparent, not only In
localities where new and old buildings arc
mixed together, but In blocks which have been
entirely built up anew. 1t il not uncommon
to see half dozen new buildings in the same
block, each differing from its fellows In style
Of architecture as well as in height; and thu,
although all may be handsome ereotions Of
themselves, the general effect Of the improve.
ment is materially marred, il not totally do.
stroyed. Take, for instance, the HERALD struo-
ture, the MOST unique, tasteful and elaborate
in the city. We understand that the parties
who have purchased the adjoining ground have
decided to put up building, handsome h
itself, but not in conformity with Its magni2-
cent neighbor. While nothing can destroy the
beauty Of the HERALD building, which is unlike
anything on this continent, yet the effect Of tho
Improvement, so far as the appearance OF the
city is concerned, will be greatly lessened By
this break in the style Of architecture. II the
whole block to the corner Of Fulton street
were built up after the HERALD model, it would
not have Its equal In the world.
1t is TO be regretted that some plan cannot
be devised by which uniformity in buildings
in the main thoroughfares Of the city could b
secured. In Paris, where the government
exercises the power to make public impreoe-
ments and to dictate the style Of architecture
to be followed by builders, the advantage Of
such rule Is evident It would be we'll for
the Legislature to create . commission, with
power to make all the necessary and sweeping
improvements demanded by the rapid growth
Of the metropolis, such as the continuation Of
the Fifth and Seventh avenues to the Battery
and the widening Of Pearl street, so as to open
another broad thoroughfare through the length
Of the city from the Fourth avenue and
the Bowery. These improvements would pay
for themselves by the increased value Of the
property along their lines and would sweep
away all objections as TO the building of rail-
roads, which have now become an American
institution and public necessity. Such .
commission might do much towards securing
uniformity In the style of building, even II
the power could not be given II to enforce
architectural regularity When those who In
vest their money in new buildings can be made
to understand that they greatly enhance The
value Of their own property by following
uniform style and thus adding 10 the general
beauty Of the locality, they will soon be willing
to adopt any rules laid down by such commits
sion as we propose.