The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1881-09-24
New Mansion for MI. Claus spreckels,

Many new residences have been erected during
the past twelve months in Honolulu for our pro-
minent citizens, but they are all thrown into the
shade by that which has been built for Mr..
Claus Spreckels on Punahou street. This hand
some structure, with its lofty tower, presents an
imposing appearance and is tho most con-
spicuOus object in the south-eastern part Of the
town. II is situated on a.plot of land formerly
belonging to the Trustees Of the Oahu College,
having a large frontage to Punahou-street with
adequate depth. The house is placed about 800
feet back from the street line, and near the mid
die of the grounds. This site was purchased by
Mr.. Spreckels some time ago at the auction
sale of Punahou lots, for the sum OF $4,000.
The ground still remains very much in the state
in which it was at the time Of the sale, except
that a number of the algeroba trees have been
removed to make way for the house. II IL
almost exactly level. and from its Dimensions
and the position in which the house has been
placed offers fine scope for the genius of whoever
may be selected to lay it out aud plant it.
The house itself is of two stories with an
attic-if the really handsome apartments above
the second floor caa be so designated. All.
the third floor, over the main entrance rises a
handsome tower which adds much to the APP
pearance Of the structure and commands a really
fine view especially to the westward. The main
building, which is wholly of wood, ON n brick
foundation, is about 80 feet by SO feet, and IL
completely surrounded by n yerandah 10 feet
wide, and Mt the second story by a balcony IL
feet wide. The yerandah and balcony each give
n promenade Of 300 feet. The ornamentation
of the exterior is elaborate but chaste, the only
horid feature being the columns Of the yerandah
and balcony Of which they arc 80 in each. These
are Of that order Of Grecian architecture known
as the Composite, the capitals being a combine
ton Of those belonging to the Ionic and Corin-
THAN orders. The work in the ornamentation
Of the tower is particularly elaborate and has a
very pleasing effect. The ground floor Of the
house is raised about seven feet from the level Of
the ground, aul j. approached by a handsome
flight Of steps. There are also similar highta
on either side and ut the rear Of the building.
The height Of the ground floor rooms Is 10 feet,
of those on the second story Is feet, ard OF the
attic 10 feet 6 inches, except the room under the
tower where it il II feet. There are four rooms
on the ground floor; two front parlors; one 20
feet K 30 feet, and the other 20 feet K 80 feet; a
DINING room 10 feet X 80 feet, with, in addition,
"A great bay, the whole width Of the room, and n
music room, 10 feet Y 2G feet with a similar bay
The hall is IA feet wide by 80 feet o inches.
The kitchen, ~pantries, and servants apartments
are in n separate two story building, rs feet X 81
feet. standing at the back Of the house and
divided from it by the Verandah. At the front
entrance. and distinct from the hall is n vesti-
bule II feet X 10 feet. On the upper floor, rooms
are laid out exactly like those below, with the
exception that the dressing and bathrooms are
cut off from them, and that there is in addition a
boudoir at the front of the building, over the main
hall. The ceiling Of the hall is pierced by n
long opening with oval ends, through which the
handsome skylight of stained glass is seen.
This adds very greatly to the appearance OF tho
hall, besides securing unlimited ventilation.
A stained glass window Of large dimensions is
also to be put in as a light to the staircase. In
the original design Of the house it was not in
tended to make any use of the attic story, but
Mr.. Spreckels recently decided to have il
divided and the rooms plastered. The plaster
work of the two main floors IS already COM
pleted, including some very handsome work in
the mouldings and centers. A great deal Of
the internal wood work is finished, but all tho
more ornamental part Of it has yet to be begun.
The whole of the work has been done under the
superintendent of Mr.. James M. Kelly, who
was sent from San Francisco by Mr.. Spreckels
to take charge of it. The plastering being SUI
pervised by Mr.. J. D.. Ramsey, n tradesman. of
experience from San Francisco. Mr.. Kelly esti-
mates that everything will be completed by the
end of the year. This palatial mansion is esti-
mated to cost about $50, 000-a low cost for a
structure Of such proportions and superiority OF
finish,