Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-11-12
Thu Allen RIock.

The new brick block erected the past season by
Mr. T. C. Allen, filling the vacant place on Water
street between his publishing house and the corn
aud flour store OF Parrot 4 Chase, is one of the
hantlsomest structures in the State. and is real
ornament to our city. Its elegant though simple
beauty and the graceful proportion Of all its
parts Let great credit upon the architect. Mr..
George Stevens of Augusta. The size Of the
block is so by 60 feet, three stories high divided
into three stores, is of Boston pressed brick, with
elegant heavy granite trimmings. The store
| fronts of iron and glass Each Of these spa
cious stores has basement eleven feet high, and
| a cellar ten feet below that. The Easements are
| finished as nicely as are the stores, and are
| lighted by windows both in front and rear. Each
| cellar has spacious driveway in the rear.
| Passing on above the street floor. we find large,
airy offices, high studded, and supplied with all
| the modern conveniences in the way Of closets,
&c. The arrangement Of Offices could not have
been better or more complete. We understand that
Hon. Joshua Nye, Insurance Commissioner of the
State. has taken suite OF the offices, which will
| be fitted up for him in the finest of style, giving
| him better facilities than he has before had for
the discharge of business. Another SUITE has been
| taken by II. w Black, Esq, and S. Lancaster,
| Esq, attorneys at law. Mr.. Frank L. Nye will
remove his insurance office to this building, where
he has secured spacious quarters. Indeed. this
| will prove to be quite business centre.
The next story above the offices can be used
for variety of purposes, and we understand that
Mr.. Allen has some idea of fitting it up as hall.
The roof of the building is covered with tin OF
| the best quality, put on in the most work
| manlike manner, and will keep out the water as
long as it is kept painted. The store floors ale of
yellow birch, a material which is beginning to be
| acknowledged superior to any wood for floor
| ing. The whole building is thoroughly fitted
with gas and water closets. and wash rooms are
arranged that any tenant who is willing to pay
water rent may be convened and Lot be obliged
to bother his neighbor. The entire block is built
| and finished in the most workmsnike manner, all
the material entering into its construction being
the best of their kind. Messrs. Foster & Dutton
| of Waterville, were the contractors, and we de-
| sire to give them credit having done their
| work well, and with the greatest despatch. With
in month, after the first blow OF the carpenters
hammer was heard, the roof was on. The peo-
pie on the Kennebec have been greatly surprised
| at the rapid growth of the building. The con-
tractors for the foundations were Messrs. Dunton
\ Pierce of Augusta. Their work is too well
known throughout the State to need any exte nded
| notice. They say they never put better founda-
tions under a bu ilding. The front foundation is
eleven feet vide aud rests the solid ledge, as
does also the rear foundation. The side founda-
tons of the same character.
We hope and trust that the investment will
prove a paying one TO Mr. Allen, and we think it
will. To our mind the locality is not surpassed
by any in the city Market square is the old CEN
tire of trade, and just surely water finds its
level so surely will trade march back there. 1t is
the only square we have our business street.
and about half the people coming into the city, as
well as those living in town, come directly down
town to Market square. Mr.. Allen certainly
deserves credit for the enterprise and energy
he has manifested. Had we more such men, the
cry of "hsrd times" would not be so often heard.
The stores have not been rented yet, though sew
eral parties think they will take one. Mr.. Allen
expects and desires only a reasonable rent, and
probably they will all be taken up as soon as fin
ished.