The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-26
The Storied Splendor Of the Fu-
ture New York City.
A MAMMOTH HOTEL ON FIFTH AVENUE.
Railroad Depots, ParOchial Schools and
National Post Office To BE Added
to the Architectural Beau.
ties Of the Island City.
Thirty Millions To BE
Expended.

there Is consequently great activity In the various
branches OF business connected with this import
ant interest. Mechanics and laborers are In con-
slant demand, and it is expected that by the COM
ing fall a considerable number of structures CON-
menced last year will be finished Notices are APP
pended of several edGces now in progress in sew
eral parts Of the city,
The New Post ONCE.
Work on the new Post ONCE, necessarily sus-
pended during the winter months, was resumed
on the LIST Of April. 1t is now completed to the
second floor, and it is expected that by November
next the entire building will be covered in. There
are ut present no difficulties In the way OF prose-
cutting the work with vigor, and the only possibil
ity OF delay is the failure, which is not appre
hended, In the prompt delivery OF material. The
structure, which will undoubtedly be magnificent
architectural ornament to the city, rises above
the unsightly fence that long concealed it from
public view, and a good idea can be OBJ
tanned OF Its massive construction and beauty
Of design In few days work will be in full opera
ton for the season. when a force consisting OF be-
tween two and three hundred mechanics and as
many more labOrers will be actively employed.
There are four engines working seven derricks, on
the ground, and nearly every description Of labor
from placing blocks OF granite twenty tons in weight
IN their proper places to supplying brick and NOR
tar to the mechanics, is performed by steam. There
are, besides, several blacksmths' and carpenters'
shops within the enclosure, and TO visitor the
scene now presented to view is one giving evidence
OF considerable rapdiy in the progress OF the build
ing The material used is granite iron, brick glass
and marble, the latter for floor thing alone The
granite Is brought from the coast OF Mane local
ity noted for the excellence OF its stone and is of
The same description was used in the extension
na,,
capital. The superintendent is OF opinion that the
building will be ready for occupation In the spring
OF 1879, and when finished will be the cheapest con-
sderng the thorough character OF it's construction
and the magnitude OF its proportions owned by the
government
EARLY DIFFICULTIES AND DELAYS.
In the erection Of the building numerous Difficult
lies had to be met ana overcome. Delays also oc-
Cured when the most difficult portion of the work
saying the foundations, was in progress. The nature
OF the soil required that the excavation should be
carried to the depth OF thirtythree feet below the
level OF the sidewalk. An immense quantity of
loose sand had to be removed and from the
crowded condition OF the streets in front OF the
City Eall during the day work had to be carried on
by night Five hundred men were employed, and
large number OF carts used for conveying the sand
to the Battery, then filling in, and there deposited
II In the bay. Powerful Drummond lights were
used for Illuminating the dark and deep excavation
while the men labored at night, and 1t is said the
latter effected more, In propatIon to their numbers
than those who labored by day. Sheet piling has
been used to the entire depth. However, rapid
Roadway was made in ping, &c. preliminary to
laying the foundation walls. The supply OF funds
being now fully sufficient and all differences with
the city authorities long since settled. there is
every prospect Of the work on the building being
prosecuted with energy skill and discretion.
STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE.
The plan OF the building conforms to the shape OF
the ground and the irregular angles OF the lot are
masked by pavllions. The style Of architecture Is
classical Italian, with some notifications to har-
monte II with the treatment OF the roof which Is
French, as best suited to street architecture on a
large scale. There are to be three Stories with
Aansard root, basement and sub-basement. Each
story is to be carried up in distinct order, In the
Doric style, increasing in richness the top Is
reached The exterior walls are supported on piers
OF granite masonry, resting on broad base OF solid
concrete The north front is 200 feet in length; the
Broadway, which will OF course present the most
imposing appearance, $40 feet, and the Park Of
same length. The height Of the endorsement is II
Feet basement, II feet; first or principal floor, 80
feet second floor 26 feet; third, "a feet, and Man
SdTu Ut aILlC, ~ lcet xeHcIdI diIduRtHcHbllds
been heretofore described, and we can only, in the
present instance. give the briefest summary. In o
general way it may be remarked that the site has
been most happily selected in the most prominent
part OF the commercial capital OF the republic, and
that there win be raised an edice not unworthy OF
tts location or the government which 1t represents.
BASEMENT AND sUB-BAsEMENT
The subbasement and basement include the
whole area of the building and that portion OF
sidewalks bounded by retaining walls. Large iron
Rirders and columns and piers OF granite or arcaded
brick support this portion, and light is to be adj
United through the Illuminated glass floor prin-
cipal story and by means Of patent Hyatt tile or
panes inserted in the sidewalks. The entire base
ment is to be used by the Post ONCE Department;
in the sub-basement is to be located furnaces ma
chinery, coal bins, &c.
OPEN COURT AND MrZZANINE
In the centre OF the principal noor, the entire OF
which s TO be occupied by the Post ONCE, viii be
large, open court, going up clear TO the roof This
will be covered with patent glass. The distn-
gushing feature, however, will be mez.
canine or half story above the public corridor
This mezzanine will be simply a gallery
open to the interior of the Post once Department
30 that while the public corridor occupies the
whole Of the exterior on three fronts the windows
post Office within. The principal moor, stated
above will be covered with glass. There will be no
partition walls. The officia and public spaces will
be separated by screens, formed by letter boxes,
the whole OF the walls above being carried by iron
columns There is to be central driveway or
street In the rear twenty-five feet wide, reserved
by the government to serve as an approach, and
while 1t secures entire isolation OF the building al
lows still further access OF light and air from the
park side, as well as from the others. over this
nrive'way IL to be thrown roof constructed OF
iron aud glass, for protection OF the mails while
being received or despatched.
OFFICES AND COURT ROOMS.
In inc second story win be the olces OF the Post
tnAS'er looking into Broadway, the cashier, the
secretary the money order ONCE and the Regis
tered Letter Department The north end OF this
noor ana the third moor have been set aside for
the United states Courts, Chambers, libraries and
ef1ces for the judges Offices for the United statao