The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-05-03
THE BUILDING SEASON.
A Few Facts Gathered From the Archi.
tects.

During the year 1878 the amount of build
ing done in the city did not compare favor
|ably with that of former years in point %
actual cost, the entire amount of money
expended, both upon new buildings and re.i
pairs, during that year being less than ST.
100000, if we except Shillitos new block
and the Music Hall, which were begun the
year before. But with the opening of this
year builders were gratified at seeing their
business beginning to improve. There are
however, but few large and costly blocks OF
public buildings of any kind going up, but
January 1st 233 permits have been issued
by the Board of Public Works for buildings
of every kind, costing 81 900 and more,
while the number of cheaper structures
would make good-sized village
by themselves, and the amount of
alterations and Improvements which
are being made in old struc-
lures is greater than for some time hereto
fore. The greater part of these buildings are
residences, and large part of these are sit
uated in the suburbs, yet within the city
proper the number of three-story bricks
which are now under contract will compare
favoraby with the numbers during the
same month of other years. especially Ger
man tenement houses which are considered
good investments. A large number of our
citizens also are building residences outside
the city limits, alongside the railroad lines.
These, like the suburban residences, are
nearly all of the first-class.
| Residences this year are being built more
| after the style of conventional Gothic, with
| less galvanized iron about them, owners
preferring solid brick. stone or wood to any
substitutes for them. Plumbing, which is
cheaper this year than ever before, is being
extensively used and conveniences, such
as ash-pits ETC., are being introduced to
great extent
The Exposition Buildings, of which the
public are familiar, are by far the largest
structures in process of erection within the
| city. Their estimated cost is $40, 900, and
| they will be imposing structures when COM
pleted.
The large block being erected on the
southeast corner of Fifth and Vine streets
by the heirs of the Virgins estate, at an
estimated cost of 5000, ranks next to the
Exposition Hall in the list of new build
ings 1t will resemble the Johnson Build
ing in size and shape and general appear
ance. 1t will cover ninety feet on Fifth
L
Fifth street side will be two stores and four
on the Vine street side. All the stories
above the first will be devoted to offices.
The Old Mems and Women's Home
which has been planned and placed in the
| hands of the contractors, ranks next. 1t is
situated on the north side of Mcmillan
street. Walnut Hills, and when completed
will consist of main hall, two main wings
and two connecting wings The east wing
is for the old men and the west wing for
old women, and the main be devoted to
sitting-rooms dining-rooms, etc. 1t is
being put up by the Trustees Of both the
Old Mems and the Old Womens Home,
and will cost 1858, 600.
AS soon as the old buildings are removed
fine block will be commenced on the
southeast corner of Vine and Baker streets,
by Mr. William Hooper. The building will
be SO feet front, six stories high pressed
| brick front with stone trimmings, and will
cost 100000 The ground front will be
rented out for stores, and the upper stories
will be finished off into lawyers Offices, and
will be called the Chancery Chambers.
The new Lane Seminary building, which
will soon be commenced upon the Lane
Seminary grounds, will be T-shaped edi-
flee, 65 feet front and 100 feet deep. The
building will be of modern STYLE handsome,
commodious, and a valuable addition to the
college edihce.
The Chapel which it is proposed to build
at Spring Grove Cemetery, to consist of re-
ceiving vaults and rooms in which burial
services can be held, will be q magnificent
and interesting structure. 1t will be Sit
uated short distance west of the entrance,
and will be built from hill lime and free
stone in the Norman style Of architecture.
Its length will be l08 feet, its breadth 80
feet, with porch 25 feet long, and tie best
plate-gIass which can be obtained from
Europe will be used. The estimated cost is
$40, 900.