, 1873-04-06
Designs for the New City Hall and
County Building. ~ '"'
Information for Those Excluded from
Kentucky Block.
Description Of -Four Of the
Leading Plans.


why the Names Of Architects Are
Published.
In the first notices OF the plans tor the new
City Hall, want of space prevented ctr giving
more than q few descriptive lines to each design,
calculated to give only general idea OF the
structures proposed by the architects. It is our
Intention to give every competitor q fair chance
before the people in the publication in full Of a
description of his designs, md the aid OF such
gentlemen as wish to appear at an equal advant-
lee with their rivals will be desirable. Among
if:r plans, there should be great variety in
ic~gn, but the visitor must admit monotony
n those on exhibition which is unexpected.
r:,is will be seen in the frequent recur-
:enca Of certain phrases made use Of
~ the architect. It will DO impossible
20 furnish in ona Issue as full description as
should be given, Of each plan, and ut the same
iae mention all Of them. We purpose, there
:o-e, to give, in today's paper, full description
II como, reserving the remainder for future
issues.
RANKIN AND dARNsEY.
No. On the List is that of Rankin l. Garnsev,
nth the device "Semper Resurgens." The
style of architecture adopted by these competi-
:ors is modern treatment of the CLASSICAL such
style combining in its effects greater dignity
and elegance, according to their opinion, than
depend more upon the elaboration Of their
crnamentatlon for effect, than upon good proper
tions, or elegance OF outline. Elaborate orna~
mentation has been avoided, with the belief that
the stability, endurance, beauty, and economy
hnye been consulted thereby.
The plan submitted, 1s that Of . building hav-
irg an open court.in the centre, the inner rooms
being lighted from the court yard, and the outer
ores from the several streets. The entrances
are situated on I'LL four streets, in the centre OF
basemsnt floor. In addition to these, flights Of
steps on Washington aud Randolph streets will
afford Immediate access to the principal floor
from the etrests.
The several floors will be connected by four
double flights Of stairs, constructed Of Iron, and
commencing Immediately in front Of the entran-
ces, and lending to each Of the four wings Of the
structure. These stairways will be very hand
sorne1y lighted and ventilated from the roof, IS
well - hy windows 1t each landing; Elevators
one on the county, side Of the building.
Access to the various rooms, On each floor, will
be had from the corridors, which lead entirely
around tho building, and also connect the La
salle and Clark street fronts, through the ro7
tunda in the centre. These corridors will be
well lighted from the stairways, and will be
paved with marble.
TWAS determined to place the tower in the
centre Of the building and Of the interior court
yard, and treat it as q tower rather than as a
dome (Which in its construction would be much
more expensive, and would be out OF harmony
with the design submittsd). It was also
considered that the dome treatment had
Ss seehna mote TO xas Pa?o as
unnded- The interior Of the tower is treated as
1otunda, with an interior culonnade supporting
It's dome. Tho adoption Of such 9 tower Was
considered absolutely necessary in the construc-
intended, the principal fonl-air shafts, the tank
for the reception OF the water of the artesan
well; from which tank It is proposed to furnish
fountains ito be located in positions afterwa1d
to DO considered), and to work The elevators. It
will also contain clock, q bell, and fire look
out. The lower portion will have ample accom-
mediation for the Strangers' Observatory, which
will command the interior Of the rotunda aa well
II, the surrounding country. It is proposed to
construct the lower portion up to and inclusive
ton entirely Of iron.
The county portion Of the basement contains
accommodations for the Recorder, the Sheriff,
heating apparatus and receiving vaults, aud the
vaults tor the Circuit and Probate Clarka, which
could not be accommodated, for want OF space,
on the first door. On the city side, arrange
ments have been made for the Police aud Fire
Departments, Pay Boom, Harbor-Master, Gas
Inspectors, and heating apparatus.
~ On the first floor % on n the county side are the
Clerk, County Commissioners, Superintendent
rior Circuit, and Probate Courts, the
vaults Of the last two being in the base
@ eisVstor ' On the city ;"s aide ana are "iiss tSe
Iayor's apartments, the Comptroller, Treasurer,
Collector, Board of Public Works, Water De-
partment, City Clerk, and Tax Commissioner.
On the second floor, county aido are the
aajuncts Of jury and Judges rooms, superin-
tsadcnt OF Schools, Law Library, County Survey
o., and Coroner. On the city side are the Law
Department, superintendents Of Streets, Public
Buildings, and Sidewalks, Draughting and
sineer, Sewerage and Board OF Education off,
ces.
On the third floor, county side, are rooms for
he Superior, Circuit, County, and Chancery !
Courts, twelve N number: On the city side Is |
!he Council Chamber, in the centre Of the build |
Ing on the Lasslle street front. 4 gallery is pro-
yided for the spectators. Adjoining the Council |
Chamber, rooms haye been provided for Supe-
r1or House, should it ever be created The su- /
c1eme Court is also arranged for with acces-
Board Of Health Offices are On this floor.
The estimates tor the county side are $685.
,25os; for the city eide s998, ,1e5.os; for the
;ower, SITE, ,5ss>8s. Total, s2,17,2748
Mn- BoTMaroS's PLAN,
MOTTO, ttMarmion', is one which has been severe
y criticized, and unreasonably go, by some of the
papers. It ia not plan which for economy
appears to recommend itself, the architects
'stimate being $3,5oo, ,915.
The style Of architecture adopted ia an adsp-
stion Of the italian school which has attained
Considerable popularity in this country, and
;hich unquestionably adapts its forms to our
Innate better than any other, adording in it's
ofty porticos and colonnades that shade which
10 heat Of summer renders SO desirable, and the
ppearance Of dignity and repose which is thus
btained, admirably adapting it for use in i'm
ortant public buildings where symmetry and
effects ought to zeceiTe fair shRra
consideration.
From the porticos on the centre Of each front
4 the level Of the first floor extends On each
de verandah or colonnade, seven feet in
idth, Of Ionic double columns sixteen feet high,
it'll it meets the break formed by the project
8 angles Of the building, thus forming cool
treat or promenade, as well as striking archi-