New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-04-03
PLEASANT HoMES IT LITTLE COST
AN INTERESTING COLONY on TIE EAST
SIDE.

SIDE.
OVER TWO H. NDRFD FANIIIFs TO HAVE HEALTH
HI. CONVENIENT AND ATTRACTIVE HOMES ~
IMPROVED TENFM, NT-H6UsEs.
with view of SUPPLYING comfortable, wholesome
and agreeable homes for persons OF very modeIaIe
mean, an association Of wealthy gentlemen nave
been engaged in founding colony III Ne"-lork'
although the word colony' usually suggests tho
remote plains Of the far West But this organiza-
ton. which is known as The Improved DWELLINGS,
Associations" has provided homes for "a many
peopA as would make up the population
Of thriving Western town Like the early
pioneers. they have plunged boldly into
a bowling Wilderness in this case OF squatters
sbantics with the goat for hc erceSt beast Of prey.
This former waste. which, if not now blossoinins
like the rose approaches that happy condition as
nearly rs red and black brick will allow IS situated
in Firsi-aye, between Seventy inst aud seventy
so.ord-sts Here the members of the association
have caused 10 be erected three large sc.s OF build
ings. comprising thirteen houses with rears over
looking "A spacious courtyard. There are louI
houses i'll Scyenty-trst end four in Seyenty-second-
4 with five on First-ave and there is not dark
room in any house. This distribution Of light Is
attained through the courtyard, and 10y the con-
ucion of the six houses west of the central court
ward. These are Of the 'dumb-bcl" shape, narrower
In tle middle than at either ct which gives com
nor,tivclv roomv court between the houses The
huildiuos are six stores in height, and tine entire
are, occnpied is nearly acre. The houses next the
corner o. either street extend only half rs far back
a. the others to give for the courtyard, from
which they are entered BY door in the rear. On
c,thor side between these houses and the avenue
block. is covered way leading to tho courtyard.
The interior arrangement of the different houses
has been carefully studied with view 10 securing
economy of and the comfort of the tenants. In
+Lo SIX "dumj-hell shaped houses provision is
mad for flur families on what may be called
floor although in reality the front and rear dwell
ings are on different levels ~ order better to
four and one OF three rooms. while
ut the rear, half a hight up, are two
portion Of the building I'D the centre corresponding
10 The handle OF the dumh-hell contains the fire
proof stairway which IN az the houses Is con
structed of slate ana IRON, me closets, aSn-ahoO5
and lifts. The ash-sh0Ot runs down 20 fire-prOof
| vault III the cellar, where are the c0a-bns
for the tenants There Is n laundry IN the
hascrnent of each of the dunh-bcll houses" con-
eiantly provided with hot water, and another in
the upper story. The hot water comes from the
bnilcrs in the cngine-room. whore an engine is I'm
ploved for pumping wafer TO large tanks on the
roofs for suppl, ing the two upper floors,
5enrb Cfo2n fSS s' Of these mSn'r hdn nan
are large YOoms in the rear, on the ground floor.
intended for general reading rooms and 10 Ice
supplied with daily and weekly papers and maya
zines The houses on The side streets next the ave
nue block are different in tn,r arr, cement from
the Others There ars only two sets OF rooms on
floor, one of two and Ire Olhtr Oh iee bnl III earn
apartnent are large sInks and consequences ior
washing clothes. Ia the hEe houses OF
the avcnue block which, Ike the Others Just
referred to, are entered from the courtyard there
are Two sets of three rooms each upon each noOr.
"A regards general points Of construction the
foundations are laid frm 10 to rs feet below the
siJa,v.lLs il cement Tie plumbing has been care
fully attended 60. Pipes for the escape of gases
Iun from every soil pipe to the roof, and the dram
pipes communicate with l2-inch cast non sewer
Thee houses will afford dwellings for, 21s fam
lies ana the first story OF The avenue DOCK Is IL
yI,ed into twelve stores. Although some OF the
houses are vet unfinished tcriy-hYc families have
lreadvuoyed in and the first birth nthe new colony
occurred ON "Wednesday night, during the noppOr-
tune absence of the medical man OF me settle
mrut In addition to doctor all olhef neccs-
sarv evils are ready al hand for the tenants.
The stores III the avenue block VIII be Oc-
cnnied nv a grocer, Sll-oralcr, butcher baker.
druggist and other purvoyo"SO oil household supplies
The agent of the association VINO mas an ONCE III
the block, will keep an eye upon lhe goouS iul-
uisbcd To his tenants, and any cases on imposition
ON the part of the shopkeopers Will De followed
nv a refusal to renew their leases As the ann OIL
ne q socation is to have only thoroughly respect
ale tenants considerable care is exercised IN re-
gard 20 applications. Ii there Is any ihlng sus-
nicous about the wOuld-bc tenant he is asked Tor
reference. The retaining OF rooms mere mere depends
upon the good behavior, cleanliness ana quiet Oh
the occupants Thus far only bo one fe, man
victim to his InlscaculaiiOn OF the elect OF MS sun
day drains. Who the rcople are in the houses
is shown by list OF their occupations lhey
include a doctor who was one OF the hrst To
appear Oh the scene, and druggist who occupies
sfnre i'm the avenue block. Then came cabinet
maker four seamstresses three bakers, one I'M
roofer one hOfse-shOcr, one peddlef, ,hrce
painters, three stone-cntters, one inachihist'
one salesman, one bartender, one porter,
four pastry cooks one turner three type-setters,
two carpenters, one blacksmith ana TWO 1ichi.S
ers The curiosity Of the agent was aroused 6y tne
demand of several men for rooms on the top Moor IN
preference to any others. He discovered that they
were elevated railroad employees, type-setters ana
rostrv cooks who were obliged TO obtain their
sleep IN the daytime, and therefore preferred
the upper floors for their comparative quiet.
Owing to the solid brick partition walls ana heavy
sloe starways however, the tenants express theni-
relyes as hardly aware OF having neighbors.
AS regards she question OF rents me nienoers ni
The Association while not intending this as purely
charitable enterprise. have undertaken IL
without any view OF profit. The rents
ara based upon an estllnato VI iotuih