New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-03-04
FINE ARTS.
THE PRODUCE EXCHANGE BUILDING.

THE PRODUCE EXCHANGE BUILDING
A further examination of the designs fer the
new Produce Exchange Building makes 1t Imperative
upon us 10 urge once upon the members OF the Ex
change and upon committee In charge or the design
the necessity for looking carefully into the matter
through the eyes OF professional adviser WHOSE
freedom all business connection with the conpe
ton. and whose standing In his PROFESSION Wouiu
entitle his Judgment to respect. we, ourselves
speaking with no knowledge whatever as TO the
name OF any Of the authors OF
the four selected Designs declare serious convic
ton after several examinations Of them that the Pro-
duce Exchange will be discredited as body its men,
bers and the city In whose hands0neness
and credit intelligence and good taste we are all OF us
interested will put to shame by the adoption OF any
one of these designs We have doubt whatever that
we should be borne out in this statement OF opinion oy
the votes architectural pro II they could DO
called in, but leave the matter to the good sense OF
the members themselves.
And vet, that 1t would not be safe in all cases so
to leave It, the letter from member Of the Ex-
change which we printed in yesterdays TRIBUNE
amply proves. The fact stated, that the plans OF
the design Ceres do not agree with the elevations Is
of course admitted IL could not be denied But tue
discrepancy is actually defended by the counter stato'
ment that plans have been altered like those OF ne
tain portions of the floor to outside cempancs
We thus have OF the prime conditions OF t eo'np ,
tton viola that namely which insists upon the OUT
side of the building answering to the nsue-a iunhi
mental rule OF all good architectural
sign defended IN which there little structural connec'
on bel ween elevations and the plan that the pans
are stated be alterabe at pleasure WITHOUT
making IL necessary alter the exterior desigu lhh
ts to say, make rather undignlhed Comparison,
oleomarearlne can be put into hrkn BRANDED = @lt
edge butter from Eden Farm" without the necessitv OF
altering the brand Whether this ever done MIN
butter tubs not do not know bnt We Know nav
whether looked the SIDE OF aesthetics or 0l utlly
ts cannot he done with safety in the of building
TIE plans of a building the first thing to d. con
sdered To them the architect worthy OF the name gives
his most earnest study. He insists TO hinse nrst on az
that they shall he convenient economical OF spaoe Hueu
with these prime necessities. Then he gives MS rahs
body flesh and skin aud CO0rng that answer 10 tDe IN
side and that cannot be conceived As belonging 10 any
building Intended for a diff rent purpose N"tnlng o
this is true OF the design Ceres OF any OF the designs
here exhibited. Besides tho excuse offered fo ceres
docs not really excuse for the discrepancy between n
mans and elevation applies chiefly TO the second
story the containing tie great hail whe 'nc Por
| tons leased are the first or ground u0or. , -
Finally II Ceres intends his plan 10 De altereu 10
su tine new order OF things II follows that the aut
has not really submitted plan all. We know what 1t
s lint we know not what IL shall he. We still have hope
that the members Will Insist upon more m"'ulo co9u
| Grafton Of the subject