Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-07-12
THE NEW CASINO BUILDING. n
A Plan Adopted at the Meeting Of the
Stockholders Last Evening.


HANDSOME AND COSTLY sTRUCfURE-A TEEATKR
IN THE EUROPEAN sTYLE-THE CASINO ROOMS
OPENING INTO A CENTRAL coURT-AN OPEN AIR
CAFE-A MAGNIFICENT BALL R0oH.
The stockholders OF the proposed Casino enter
prise have determined to select the plan for the
new building Which was submitted in competition
with number Of architects by Mr.. J. r. Thomas,
the well-known New York architect. This plan
preserves the suggestion OF the sketch plan de-
vised by Mr.. F. II. Paine, tho features of which
the readers OF THE STAR have been made familiar
with. In the plan which was entered in the con-
test the architect, Mr.. Thomas, has given the
details OF the proposed building, and glance at
them gives more accurate idea OF the proposed
building than the general description heretofore
published. As is already known, the building
will have frontage OF 155 feet on the west side Of
Connecticut avenue. between and streets
THE MAIN FEATURE OF THE STRUCTURE
Is the opera house, with frontage OF 100 feet on
Connecticut avenue 1t rises 48 feet to the cornice,
with dome roof above. 1t has double front,
which forms an imposing arcade on two floors, and
wide balcony on the third floor. South of the
opera house are the casino rooms, two stories in
height, which have the appearance of an annex,
but the same style OF architecture is preserved.
The endeavor was to make
AN IMPRESSIVE EDIF1cE
without great expense, depending more upon the
outlines and proportions than upon elaborate
details. The front OF the opera house Is circu-
lar, with the porticos and pillars of the outside
walls forming an arcade on each floor The portion
between the opera house and the casino is 10 feet
wide and runs up to the third story, and is sur
walls Will be pressed brick and stone. which will
be relieved by bands OF black brick, with terra
Gotta mouldings In the general type of its archi-
COMES and domelike roof. 1t bears the character
1StcS OF the Italian style. This impression Is
strengthened by the light, airy character OF the
ment
THE OPERA HOUSE.
From Connecticut avenue there are seven arched
entrances leading into the theater, which will be
ordinarily closed by iron gates. There will be
driveway to the casino entrance under porteco-
chere, and above the entrance.an ornamental bal
cony. Entering one OF these arched doorways the
visitor will md himself In wide and spacious
lobby. Continuing, the first floor OF the theater
is gained, which is about eighty feet square. The
appearance but on each side of the spacious stage
there VIII be three boxes capable OF holding
six 1, = people ;6p each i the interior wood
cheerful appearance, and at the same time Inn
parting an air OF elegance. The chairs on
the ground floor. ess n number, are arranged
In series OF four, with wide aisles and nu-
merous exits leading into the street and the
casino rooms. The stage is unusually large,
duSAuS I'd W " III QepCn, WIN du0lClOlal 100
bies. green rooms, dressing rooms, &c An ad-
mlrable feature OF the stage Is the space devoted
TO accommodation for the actors and employees.
In the ordinary theaters they are huddled away in
small rooms, but this plan provides rooms on both
nOorS OF the stage annex which extends 80 feet In
the southwest corner OF the lot. There are to be
bath rooms and other cOnvenienceS not hitherto
available In theaterS
A ROW OF BOXES.
The front Of the first balcony will be frlnged wtha
row OF twenty boxes, loges, which can be thrown
open when not in use, and sold as reserved seats.
There are seats for 500 In this balcony. and wide
exits lead into the drawing rooms and supper
rooms OF the casino. There Is q gallery above,
which accommodates $50 persons, making the total
be Increased to ZOO by wall seats and an extra
lobby row when desired.
THE CASINO ROOMS.
The arrangement OF the casino part OF the build
ing Is admirable. 1t will be series OF rooms two
stories high, surrounding central court, which
will be covered by dome root made Of iron and
hammered glass The court, which will be IS by
80 feet, will be paved with encaustic tllng, and in
the center will be handsome fountain. The
court will be decorated with flowers and foliage
plants, and balcony will run around the second
same style as the atrium OF old Roman residences.
The walls OF the court will be OF enameled brick
up to the balcony: The south wall win have an
artistic design OF Stained glass. windows above.
On the first floor of the casino. and about the
court there will be reading, writing and dressing
taurant, with entrance from both theater and
street The casino restaurant Will open on both
the court and Connecticut avenue. The tables
viii be placed IN the court. among the plants, as
in the courts OF some OF the Parts cafes and
hotels.
A GRAND BALL ROOM.
On the second floor the grand room is the ball
room, which is SO by 73K feet This room will be
fitted up in cherry In handsome style, and Will
open out into the balcony overlooking the court.
Five oriel windows will form delightful inches or
alcoves about the room. large alcOve at one
side, with gallery, furnishes a good vantage
fbo v ics oi 3S Sey can e96e
vista formed by the court and the suite OF rooms
On the other side. The ball room, with the casino
rooms about the court, can, for german or recep-
tion, be thrown into ono suite OF rooms, making a
complete circuit about the court The door of the
ball room will be tnlaid; the roof arched and
Stained glass panels.
THE KITCHEN IN THE GARRET
The kitchen Will be in the third story OF the
tower. with dumb walters connecting with
both restaurants.
THR vENTrLAT1NG SYSTEM.
The system Of ventilation that has been applied
with great success to large buildings in New York
city will be used In both the theater and the cas-
ino. 1t consists OF large vertical ventilating
shafts, the air being raHned by coils OF steam
Pps esng draft Evsy I p room
by direct and indirect radiation.
WORK TO BE BEGUN s0oN
The building operation will be begun as soon as
possible, and 1t Is expected that the building will
be ready for use by January, or early next spring.
The cost OF the building, exclusive OF furniture
and fixtures, will De $4,000
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
The following directors have been elected for the
first year: 1. 2 Letter, OF Chicago: Robert Gar
rett, OF Baltimore; F. II. Paine, c. j. Hillyer,
Chauncey McKeever, United States army; ]. G..
Parke, United States army; T. B. Mason AMI G..
l. Bradley. ThoS Hyde, OF Riggs Co., was
chosen for treasurer, Mr.. Paine secretary.
THE ARCHITECT.
Mr.. Thomas is the architect who won the COM
petition, under nom de plume, of the elegant
church now being erected on 57th street, New
York. He was also appointed by Gov. Dix to have
charge Of the erection OF state buildings, saving
to the state 81 900, stated In the governors
message.
A WIFE's BILL FOR DIvoRcE.-TO-day, Mr.. j. j.
Darlington, for Ameley C0nTadtS, filed bill for q
divorce from bed and board with Henry Conradis,
with alim0ny, injunction and for custody of the
children. She states that the marriage took place
August 18th, 1861; that they had ten children.
eight OF them now living. ranging In age from 20 to
years; that they lived together, with reasonable
degree OF happiness, till about four years ago,
when there began to be some unhappiness. which,
however, did not become unendurable TILL about q
year ago; that four years ago he began to drink to
excess, became contrary and disagreeable. and
has since August 1892, cruelty treated her, en-
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