Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-04-09
HOTEL LAFAYETTE.

present season would witness the open
ing of a grand hotel at Minnetonka. Mr..
Hill, of the Manitoba road, has more than
made the prediction good. The hotel,
which is now rapidly approaching COM
pletion, is styled "Hotel Lafayette 1t
is located upon commanding elevation
at one Of the most beautiful sites on the
lake. Mr. II. c. Davis, in his tourists
guide, which he has IN press, thus de-
ScribeS it,
The main hotel is seven hundred feet
II length, and its greatest width IS one
hundred feet. Ii is designed IN the beau
tiful Queen Anne style, and lis exterior
IS mass of most charming and artistic
effects, being frequently broken by grace
full oral or deep bay windows, the pref
test balconies, the most picturesque VIM
dows. and Il thousand artistic devices,
each a model Of elegance in itself, and all
combining to produce a marvelously
beautiful whole. Around the entire edi-
flee on the first story is broad piazza,
VARYING from twenty TO forty feet in
width, and surrounded by an ornamental
railing. All of the many windows in
Ibis story reach to the level Of the piazzas,
and are really great glass doors. The pi-
aZZa is, at the highest point, six feet
above the ground, and beneath the entire
house is 4 deep cellar, precluding all pos
sibility Of dampness. The main entrance
IS in the south side or front of the hotel,
although there IS a spacious doorway
at the back, giving free access to the
breeze. The visitor, upon entering
finds himself in grand Office exchange
forty by sixty feet in extent, and eighteen
feet high, as IS the whole of the lower
story. All is finished III natural woods
N appropriate designs, with hammer
beams exposed and graceful carving. At
one corner is the grand stairway, occupy
ing. 4 space twenty-four by thirty-two
feet, and this. N both an artistic and
architectural sense, is seldom equaled,
the effect being strikingly impressive and
rich At the left is the well arranged
Office, from which electric bells commu-
nicate with all apartments, and it is so
located that every point in.the exchange
IS Immediately under the eye of the clerk.
From this spacious vestl5ule IS large
opening to the roof, where an ingenious
system OF ventilators causes a constant
and grateful current Of air to pass, keep
ing the atmosphere Of the house in q
most agreeable state.
Each way from the exchange vestibule
hall eighteen feet wide extends. At
one side writing rooms for gentlemen
and ladies are located, the latter opening
into the principal drawing room, which
IS q splendid apartment, forty by seventy
two feet in extent, with eighteen-foot
ceiling. At one side Of the room is wide,
deep alcOve to serve as location Tor an
orchestra, or the purposes Of theatricals,
tableauX or concerts. The long plate
glass windows open upon the broad pi
azza, whose outer edges are arranged
with ornamental wire screens, thus really
adding q great space TO the dimensions
of the drawing room, and producing
vast and elegant ball room. Beyond the
drawing room are q series Of private
parlors arranged en- suite, thus making
the most perfect arrangements for the
mingling of guests, or for the accommo-
dalton of those who desire seclusion.
On the other side Of the exchange are
located the porters' and baggage rooms,
and an elegantly appointed elevator. By
another eighteen-foot hall the main din
ING hall is reached. This apartment is
forty by seventy feet, and will afford
ample accommodation for two hundred
guests at once. Like the drawing room,
its long windows lead to the wide piazza,
and wire screens conceal from inquisi-
tive eyes outside, such guests as desire to
have their meals served on tables located
on the piazzas. No more delightfully."-
cool and slightly banquetlng accommOda-
tons can be desired or indeed conceived.
Connected with the main hall is another
dining room twenty-four by sixty feet,
for children, nurses and maids. Large
folding doors between these halls allow
Of their being united, thus forming an
immense hall about one hundred by sixty
feet A ladies' ordinary twenty four by
thirty-siX feet, and two cosy private din
ing rooms complete the admirable ar
rangement for gastronOmic enjOyments.
The second story is sixteen feet in
height, and has an open hall eighteen
feet wide extending the entire length.
The apartments on each side of the hall
vary IN size, serving as parlors or cham
bers, and suites of any number of rooms
can be secured, as all communicate with
each other by doors locking on each side.
Baths are attached to the great majority
of the rooms, and open fire-plaCes are
frequent. The proper ventilation OF
each room is secured by improved tran
som windows over the doors, and cOnven-
iently arranged outside windows. The
third story is fourteen feet IN height, and
the fourth or upper story twelve feet.
Each has the eighteen-foot hall, and the
rooms are arranged in similar manner
TO those of the story already described.
The plan of piazzas extending around
the upper stories, which entirely
destroys the family or individual
privacy desirable in sleeping apartments
IS DISCARDED, and a great number of
private balconies, varying from ten to
forty light teeth in length, are provided.
These are rooted, and WILDE appreciated
by the'exclusive. The overhanging orial
windows will also be found sources of
pleasure: The hotel will accommodate
one thousand guests with the greatest
ease.
From the foundation grade to the top
OF the highest gable is ninety feet, and
TO the ridge of the lowest roof is seventy
feet. The roof is broken into many
graceful snaps, producing most admir-
allie effect. Behind the main dining hall
the kitchen is located, and is entirely
detached from the hotel. The servants
quarters, the laundry, the steam-heating
apparatus, and the electric and water