Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-01-19

The stately and handsomc proportions OF the
new building erected by Messrs. A. X. shepherd
& Brothers, on Pennsylvania ayenue, between
sth and 10th, have attracted general attention
and elected as general admiration. 1t is style
OF building Commensurate in height and mas
siveness with the great width OF the street upon
which 1t is placed, and at the same time, by the
beauty and gracefulnees of its design IL Is relieved
from any appearance of heaviness, and is made
a most ornamental feature of our great thorough
fare.
This magnificent building was opened this
Afternoon for public inspection, and the inte-
rior creates as much surprise and admiration
by It's beauty, convenience, and COED taste, as
does the exterior
The building covers lot of ground fronting
forty-hve feet on Pennsylvania avenue, and runs
through to c street. adepth Of ninety feet. The
front, OF massive iron, rises four stories in height
and is surmounted by Mansard roof The
heights of stories are as follows Basement
nine feet; principal floor, sixteen feet; second
floor, fourteen feet; third floor, thirteen feet;
fourth foor, eleven feet the roof story, ten feet
A central stairway, entering from PENNSYLVANIA
avenue, divides the building into two parts
The western portion is occupied throughout by
Messrs. Shepherd Il Bros. The eastern store is
rented by Mr.. l.. II. Hopkins, hardware mer-
chant, and above it are six fine Office rooms.
In the basement is located large Barron's
furnace, which heats the entire building. The
gastitting work is all done here. From this room
one of Bates largest elevators carries all goods
TO the several stories. The principal floor is
designed for general store purposes, and IL
handsomely fitted up in walnut furniture and
casing. There, are displayed the handsome
gas fixtures of the Tucker Manufacturing Com
pany, beautiful vases, from the best Northern
factories, furnaces, ranges and boilers of the
most approved patterns; while around the walls
are neatly set the most ornamental slate mantels
which have ever been exhibited in this locality.
Within these mantels, Of which the firm propose
TO make speciality, and which they are pre-
pared to sell at the manufacturers prices
are set varieties of the celebrated low-down
CRATES, to which We invite especial attention.
The general Office is situated i'm the rear of the
store. and separated therefrom by handsome
walnut railing. The floor is beautifully laid in
walnut and ash. From the Office you enter a
hre-proof vault, where are kept the books and
papers. A broad stairway, of easy ascent with
handsomely ornamented walnut rail and balus-
tiers leads to the second story, which is the
principal showroom of the establishment
Here, symmetrically hung from the ceiling,
are seen the ornate chandeliers from Mitchell,
Vance Il Co., New York, and Cornelius & Sons,
rniladeIphia, than which no handsomer fix
lures are produced i'm this country. On this
floor is located the private Office Of the senior
member of the firm neatly fitted up with a
bathroom and other conveniences
The walls and ceilings of the two principal
stories are frescoed with tasteful designs. and
present a fine appearance. The floors are laid
with neat and appropriate patterns of encaustic
ullng. The three upper stories are fitted up for
the several departments of the business, and
well arranged for the comfort Of the workmen.
notice able feature is an electrical clock the
dial OF which fronts the Avenue from the fourth
story, and which, connecting with a clock on
every foor, regulates the time throughout the
building.
The enterprise reflects great credit upon one
OF our most sterling business men, who, at such
dull season, had the courage and enterprise to
accomplish this beautiful Improvement: and we
sincerely trust that success may continue to
crown LIS efforts.
In contemplating the erection Of this building
Mr.. A. X. Shepherd secured the valuable SER
vices Of Mr. VIM. III. Baldwin, architect, who
designed and superintendent the entire struc-
ture: The various workmen employed are
as follows: Baldwin Bros, builders; Bart
lett & Robbins, iron front; Samuel v. Hurdle.
superintendent of brick work; John q. Waters.
plasterer; +. French, thing; MacNichcl & Bren-
nan, painters; all of whom were emulous to give
satisfaction in their various departments.