The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-01-22
REPORT or INSPECTOR or BUILDINGS.

REPORT Of INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS.
~~~~~~>~>>~->~->-~~->s~~-
New Buildings I'm the Cisy-H0w They are
Csn-trsoted-Thetr s&fety-The Tenement
Houses-The Fire Escapes Stsrins Of Cen.
bustibie Matter, &c.
The following extracts are taken from the annual
report the Inspector Of Buildngs James NcGrsgor
and viii be found interesting:-
NEW BULpsas
The number or new buildings commenced during the
year amounts to 670 being excess OF $50 the
number commenced during the previous year. or these
finished At the date Of last report and since completed
makes l,so7 completed during the past year.
TIE HERALD BUmDISa
in Of erection and nearly completed although
commenced prior 70 January 1855, account Of The
superior quality Of the materials Of which composed
together with the very conspicuous location occupies
is worthy Of special notcs This structure Is situated Al
The junction OF Broadway Park and Ann street is
80 feet inches Park row. and IS feet Ann street
Is extreme depth l04 feet BY 81 feet inches width
the rear II divided into I'VE spacious stories and
basement, the Afth story being enclosed with man.
ard roof The external walls OF unusual thickness
and are constructed Of the rst quality Of hard burnt
tricks, laid In the bost manner The street
'onts faced with white marble. The floors
on each story rest upon wrought iron beams with
beams throughout in addition their resting upon and
osng securely anchored "a the external wallis sup
ported BY two rows Of wrought iron girdsIs o. great
resting upon massive cast iron coumns having founda
ton piers Of solid masonry The various staircases and
this brief will be that neither
pains has been spared 70 render this edice not only mag
the attacks x DIRE. magnificent building has been
erected the southeastariy Of Madison
and Twentysixth street for the OF the American
Jockey Club. lts dimensions are SO feet in width, IS
feet in depth and IN height the walls are 20
and 10 inches in thickness and the front is OF white
mansard roof Of substantial and highly ornamental
character.
ACADEMY or NUsrc
On tue 21st day Of May, 1865, the building known
the Academy Of Music, located the northeast
of Fourteenth street and Irving place. destroyed by
hre Il having been made known TO that the trus-
of the Academy intended rebuild the old pre-
misses proceeded 10 hold survey upon the walls then
standing. in order that might determine what walls or
portions Of the same were In condition to be built
upon and what parts should be taken down. Deemng
che matter one Of unusual public Importance invited
the examining committee of the American Institute Of
Architects 70 take part in the aud the 18th
day Of June the survey was held, and written report
maze on me suoJect detailing me deceive ana unsafe
mitted 10 the trustees OF the Academy and the con-
-demned portions Of the walls were taken down. In
July plans and specifications for portions OF a new
1uding were submitted to me and approved. On the
18th day Of December when the building nearly COM
pleted his Honor Recorder Hacket called the attention
OF the Grand Jury insecurity; copy Of all
respondence had the subject together with copy
Of the report OF the survey held upon the walls was i'm
render any assistance In my power to enable them TO
reach Intelligent conclusion In the matter received
answer as 10 what was done by them l was never
officially informed. 1t reported however, in the
public newspapers that an examination was had upon
she building and the roof declared faulty and insecure
what particular staiedI endeavored to
tain, but have been unable 70 succeed !, together
with several architects Of undispued ability and repu
TALON, have since made thorough examination OF the
roof and they agree with in reporting the roof 10
we'll constructed and safe and in every par
sicular If the Grand Jury had evidence to the con-
N this d0nartmont.
o the owners Of the building and also 70 the
public that the same should be known Tho
excitement caused by having doubts thrown upon
the security Of building 10 he used for purposes OF pub
&c by high judicial officer, and the
% hold n Of s building n Company
with tho gentlemen associated with me in the hrst sur
vsy We found that the requirements set forth In that
survey strictly adhered 70 In every particular.
Some suggestions were made In reference to tine roof and
the interior Of tho building all Of which wore cheery
bssrng testimony the willingness the part Of tho
trustees and the architects Of the Academy Of husto 70
Win ravs d ss s.
q their building. Improvements conducive 70 these
durability sasety--have been made 10 many
building is sixteen feet less In height. and
docs not accommodate within twelve hundred OF the
seven feet doors on Fourteenth street, four Irving
place, and two open court for eeress, all OF which
win open outward, y has circular staircase seventeen
~ in diameter, with Iron stair leading from the
family CIRCLE in two feet Of brckwork The principal
lobby is four feet wider and connected with the
tier by additional sarcases a either end six feet
wide Of stone, set in brick walls; the supporting
columns to second tier are OF iron formerly Of wood)
m e. Sss bssu ma 81 the s
which formerly located IN the Easements under
the stage for that purpose beat is supplied throughout
the establishment by steam pipes supplied from boiler
,isced in vault outside the building The gas metres
also placed in = vault outside the building. brick
we'll twenty inches thick in Easements and sixteen
inches above encircling the auditorium surrounding
she proscenum, connecting with the outside walls
formerly composed Of wood) l am satisfied that the
present structure when completed, will DO perfectly
safe for the purpose for which II is designed being
sxucted workmanlike and the materials used
being the best quality making u far superior In point
OF strength aud durability to the building which pre-
ceded a. much public interest has been excited IN
relation the Academy OF Music that deem u my duly
this connection repeat the statement that the build
ing IS 10 all respects safe and Throughout the
progress Of its construction has been inspected almost
ments us could suggest have been cheeriuliy made,
and in my opinion the public need have no apprehen-
sons OF accidents or danger.
BUILDINGS, APPLICATIONS FOR PERMITS TO ALTER AND
REraut-
The humber OF old buildings that have been altered
during tho year, will be IN Exhibit H. was 625,
against 551 during the year 1859 For the location
and classification refer you TO Exhibit b. No building
can DO raised enlarged altered built upon until
application has been FIRST made this department. and
the promises examined, and permit granted allowing
the owners 10 proceed with tho work Vi this class oil
applications 623 received aud acted upon during the
year, which permits were granted in $50 case, A.
the buildings, upon examination, were found 20 be IN
good Snfe cOnuttfOn pfopOeeu
applications denied 10 where tho alterations
proposed would not be in conformity with the law.
Whole number OF applications received since May
1907. ios
Approved and permits issued ................ $40
Sof ,oproyed and permits refused ............ 100
Total. l,7os
on the buildings altered during tho year, 36f were
raised built upon, the remaining 26l being composed
alterations Of kinds both internal and extor
NAL Buildings In the lower part Of the city, erected
long eror 70 the existence Of the present building
Law, aud occupied at that time dwellings, being
constantly converted into and factories This has
almost invAriabie tendency OF making the
insecure although " Is usual to suppose the opposite
would be the result and constant and supervision
required the part Of the inspectors 10 prevent the
same from becoming in any in vioatlon Of the
law from being altered or the 160 permits refused
for the alteration OF old buildings many the
owners the have taken them down and erected
buildings In their ueQd and the importance Of this
provson requiring applications 70 be made aforesaid
cannos be fully appreciated, strikes the Of
the evils sought 70 be eradcated
FLAWS SPECIFICATIONS
There hundred thirty live of mans