Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-03-23
Z. c. Allen 4 Co.'S Building Enterprise.

Es u
Ground was broken last week for the foun-
dation of the new building to be erected in
this city by f. c. Allen & Co., as a publish
ing house. The location is a good one, on
the east side of Water street, near Market
square. The building up of that portion of
the city will fill almost the last place devas-
| tated by the great fire. The proposed struc-
ture will have street front of 80 feet and
will extend back towards the river GO feet. 1t
will be four stories in height above the street,
| and two below, making the building six
| stories in height on the river side; the
whole to be surmounted by French roof
The building is to be constructed of pressed
brick, finished with granite, freestone and
iron trimmings, and in point of beauty of ar
chitecture will not be surpassed by any build
ing on the street. The south end is to receive
the same adornments as the front and to be
finished in all respects like it, and the entire
edifce is to be built with an eye not only to
beauty, but to strength and durability, as it
is to contain large amount of heavy machin
cry, and the vibration of the presses will rem
six stories are to be occupied exclusively by
the firm for the various departments of their
business, and will be Of capacity calculated
to accommodate one hundred workmen.
The first or lower basement story will be
appropriated to the uses of storehouse for
coal, wood, and all manner of baggage and
debris that naturally collects in the vicinity of
a printing office. Entrance from the rear.
In the second basement story will be the
press room. the entire story to be thrown into
one large room, making, it is believed, the
largest and wost comfortable press room this
side of New York, and capable of accommo-
dating with ease twelve presses. On its COM
pleton there will be put into it six power
presses, two of which will be Hoes make
two Gordon presses, two folders and other
machinery. When fully under way the press
es will be capable of working 10000 papers
per day easily. Neat iron pillars will run
through these two lower stories, furnishing
support to the entire building. Entrance to
press room from Water street and the rear.
The third or street floor, will be in one
grand room, for the mailing department, with
two entrances from the street. Forty hands
| will be employed here, and the tons of mail
| matter put up and made ready for the mails.
The latest and most improved facilities will
| be introduced for the despatch and perfectness
| of the work Of this important department of
| the immense business of the firm.
The next two stories Fourth and fifth will
l 10, TOD IA 81,
business of the concern will be transacted.
Included in these will be the private offices of
| the proprietors, editorial rooms, and the va
rious offices for clerical labor, the whole to be
finished in fine style
The sixth or upper story will be divided in
the centre into two rooms to be used respect
lively as a composing room and book bindery.
The composing room will be upon the south
side, abundantly lighted, airy and convenient.
Here the type will be set and the forms pre-
pared for the Literary Companion" and the
various works which the proprietors contemp-
late issuing on the completion of the building,
the publication of books being made special
ty. The north side of this story will be fitted
up as complete book bindery.
Soft water for generating steam will be
pumped by engine from the river, and water
for other purposes will be carried by pipes
throughout the building, and supplied by the
new Water Company organized last year in
this city All the rooms are to be high, light
and airy, and warmed by steam, furnished
from boiler in the basement of forty horse
power. The proprietors hope to occupy the
press room by the first of June, but do not
expect to have the entire building completed
until late in the season. Work upon it is
not done by contract, but under the direction
of Mr. Allen, and the more immediate super
vision of j. A. Bicknell Esq Mr.. George
Stevens is the architect, and we are assured
that the building will be an ornament to the
city The entire cost ofthe structure with its
fittings and various appointments, will be not
less than seventy-fve thousand dollars.