New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-10


Tribune Building.
Western Union Telegraph. -...................23O
Grace Church spre.
New Post-Once.
Equitable Insurance Company"
Mutual Life Insurance Company.
Grand Central Hotel.
Grand Hotel
Gilsey House.
To these we add:
Capitol at Washington. LIZ
Bunker Hill Monument. .......-..-.-.-.......-.ZZl
THE FACADE
The principal part of the facade, on Nassau and
Spruce streets is constructed of brick, with window
trimmings ss and lintelsl, string courses, coplngs,
and the main cOrnice of light-cOlored granite The
first story and basement, however, are of solid
granite blocks, bonding alternately through tho
whole thickness of the piers, in courses 2 feet
inches high. Horizontally the elevation is divided
by boldly nodded strng-courses at various levels
The first is on the level of the first story floor,
and the second on the level of the sec
ond story, above which tAe brick work
begins. The three following stories are then bound
together by continuous molding which forms at
the same time the window stills Of the fifth stor
The next three are likewise brought together, BELLS
closed up by the seventh story strng-course. Ihs
main cornice, containing the copper-ned gutter, l.
at the level of the eighth story window sill. Inc
eighth is parapet story, showing already the divs-
ions of the large solid dormer windows which give
light to the ninth story. Between these windows
are small cutters collecting the roof water which
from here is conducted by short square leaders to
the main gutter. All this work is made of heavy
sheet copper fastened with solid bronze ornaments
to the stone or brick-work. This arrangement has
very pleasing effect, being carried out with great
taste and ingenuity, and forms agreeable contrast
=, tba I'd Of
limitations of reality.
Perpendicularly, the front is divided by large
piers, which are the principal supports not only of
the front walls but also of the iron hoOrbeans OF the
interior In the first story these piers are connected
| with each other by huge arches OF solid granite
blocks, those next to the corner and over the main
ntrance bonding through the whole thickness of the
WALL which is here feet inches The arches carry the
smaller piers dividing the windows in the upper
stories The joints of the arch-stones are filled with
molten lead, thus preserving an equally distributed
| pressure upon the whole area of the joint
So far as known they are the only arches
| in the country thus set. As mentioned
above, the front piers from tho level of tho
second story are built in brick work, being faced
with the finest dark red Baltimore pressed brick,
every other course of which header course so that
the facing is bound thoroughly together with
| the inside masonry. The facing and the inside
were built up simultaneously and in level courses
hitherto an unusual mode of construction through
out the elevation the depth from the lace OF the mann
piers to the sash frames is feet inches the piers
taking half this depth and the real window reveai
the other half This arrangement gives an uncom.
monty light and cheerful aspect to the front; and
another very happy effect has been produced by the
introduction of geometrcal figures of black brick
making fine contrast with the deep red The bricks
| LII ,,;t
men working from the outside on platforms OF
peculiar and ingenious construction, and the working
drawings were SO minute to sh0w the position OF
every brick in a course. The main piers are con-
nected again with each other under the fifth story
string course by large segnental brck arches WHICH
bind through the entire thickness OF the wall ana are
designed to relieve the smaller piers below from any
Oyerpowerng weight. These arches start from soIld
granite skewbacks resting on the carved caps OF the
large PIERS They are of the same span as those OF
the first story about 10 feet and incOse three WIN
| dows of the upper stories. At this level, when Is
about the hight of most of the surrounding houses
begins the projection of the lofty tower. IL rests
unon two large granite corbels, binding deep into
| the tower side walls, and borne down at the inner
ends with the whole weight of the tower. Each of
these stones projects feet inches, is feet long,
and weighs 10 tons. The division of the windows
in the second third and fourth stories is carried
through the entire front, including the dormer win
dows In the seventh story the small piers are faced
with dark polished granite columns with boldly
carved capitals and bases. The main cornice Is
formed of 10-inch granite shelf, proIecting2 feet
4 inches beyond the face of the wall below, ana
resting on granite cOrbels, binding through the wall.
The facing of the main gutter which rests on this
cornce is also of nodded granite The eighth story
has between its groups of windows granite muons.
the same as the large dOrmer windows. The latter
are "a feet high and l6 feet wide.
On the front of the tower, $50 feet above the side
walk, is granite balcony from which the National
flag will be displayed on special occasions. At the
level of the ridge of the roof, the tower here IL
feet square, is again corbeed out with courses Of
granite, and above this point is Illuminated
clock, with four dials IL feet in diameter. Be-
sides the ground glass face each dial has an ca
terror circle Of granite on which the hours are cut
Immediately over the clock, on each Of the four
sides of the tower, appear the words THE TRIBUNE
cut in letters 2 feet 6 inches long on granite
blocks. The spire consists Of an iron framework,
anchored by heavy iron bands to the granite courses
Is feet below, and covered with slate. The roof OF
the main building is an enormous iron framework
with slate covering and lining VI fre-proOf con-
crete blocks.
The architect has been remarkably successful in
giving an appearance Of lghtness and variety to this
immense front of masonry, and he has solved the
problem without resorting to the common device of
ARCHITECTURAL iron work." adding single decorar
ton merely for display. Every ornament has its
uses; the position Of every stone is dictated by the
necessities Of construction; and the whole work ex-
hbits the overrulng influence Of Q consistent idea
1t presents therefore, what comparatively few Ameri
can buildings do show, strict architectural design.
srprycTu ov TIE RuIIDfSC.
The unusual thickness of the walls was common
subject of remark during the progress Of tho build.