Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-08-21
THE FLOOD MANSION.
An ARcnrrEcruRAL pREAM
ras Artistic Conceptions Of TIVE Centuries
laid Uaaer Tribute 20 Crown NOD h's'
wnh speihet Palace.

The Aftistic Conceptions or 1--WE 'e"'""e'
ts,d rsaer Tribute 20 Crown Mob Hisi
wnh speiaet Palace.
Isan FRANCISCO CALL
The brownstone residence of j. g.
flood, which now crowns one OF the
most desirable building sites on the
fashionable crest Of Calfornia-street
hill. promises to be one Of the most
elegant residences in our city Of luxu-
rious homes. Mr.. Floods new house
Is not remarkable by its size, the ap-
parent motive Of its construction beng
agrsa,cr desire to produces comfortable
home than TO create magnificent estao-
lishment. Although not large accord
ing 10 the San Francisco idea OF archI-
tec,ural greatness, the new addition to
the artistic dwelling places Of Mob Hill
is anything but cramped in its arrange
ments. At present the building is in
the chrysalis state, so to speak. Itgives
neither exteriority nor interiority more
than a very faint idea Of the fully-de-
veloped conception Of the designers. The
structure has all the uninviting untidiness
which the operations Of large corps
OF masons and carpenters are so capa-
bic Of imparting in the midway stages
Of their work. Within n few weeks,
however, the building will begin
TO assume some Of the exte-
rior polish which is in store for
it, and before ten months will de-
velop into a fully-completed mansion
lsvishly supplied with all the Injuries
of furniture and ornament and equipped
in oil its details with princely disre-
gard Of expense. The mansion, by
reason Of its commanding situation,
from which q beautiful panorama OF
mountain and sea is visible, arrests the
attention Of all who pass. Its classic
simplicity of design, which the sub
stantial material renders possible and
attractive, also invests the mansion
with additional interest. In the con
struction Of modern houses exterior or
Damentation has by necessity to be car
ried almost TO excess, the fimsiness oil
the material preventing the architect
from relying on the plain lines OF
the Roman antique that look admirably
substantial and appropriate in stone.
The material of Mr.. Floods mansion
is brownstone, of the same quality rs
that which has impaired to Fifth ave-
nue., in New York, much of its air Of
social exclusiveneSs. The building
stands in the middle of a square
275x2l2.6. which is bounded by Sacra-
mento street on the north. California
street on the south, Mason street on
the east, and Cushman street on the
west. A brownstone fence 3 feet |
6 inches in height, and surrounded by |
n railing Of iron and bronze, will en-
close the grounds, which will be soon
laid out in miniature lawns and flower
gardens. The building faces California
street. and is l06xl90 feet over all, and !
64 feet high with walls Is inches in
thickness. The style Of the architecture !
is the Roman classic, the windows of |
the first story being finished with pi-
laSters Of Doric design, and those Of the |
second story with Ionic pilasters. This |
variety of ornament greatly relieves the
effect Of the fiat brown walls that are |
capped by a classic balustrade. The !
roof, which is not visible, is Of wood |
covered with copper. The splendid |
portico which stands out from the facade |
IN conspicuous symmetry is the princi-
pal external ornament. Sixteen Doric |
pillars lend dignity to the design Of the |
portico. The brewnstone steps leading |
up to the portico are each thirteen feet
long and composed of one slab.
GLIMTsE OF THE INTERIOR.
Passing through the imposing door
way, feet in width by ii feet in
height, which will be furnished with a
door of elaborate design, the visitor
finds himself in vestibule more no.
ticeable for its exquisite finish than its
size. The floor is carefully constructed
of costly marble mosaic, and the wood
work and metal furnishings are expen-
sive oak and polished bronze. The
yestibule leads to an ante-hall % feet
square, with a classic Doric ceiling,
which will be richly frescoed as soon
as the designs can be completed. The !
floor Of the ante-hall, like that Of the
vestibule, is Of marble mosaic Of the !
same admirable design and quality.
A doorway on the left of the ante-hall
leads to the library, which, when fur
nished, cannot fail to be delightful
apartment. II occupies the southwest
corner Of the first floor, and is &C by 80
feet. 1t is lighted by three windows
on the California-street side and two on
the Mason-street side. The floor is of
inlaid hard-woods, and the style Of the
apartment French renaissance. The
ceiling is painted, and will be furnished
in gold and colorS, the bookcases and
desks being in harmony with the rich
surroundings. The walls will be paint
ed, as will all the plaster-work through
out the mansion.
On the right side at the ante-hall,
directly opposite the library, is the
reception-room, a stately apartment,
finished on the Indian style, with black
stained oak wainscoting. The ceiling
Of this room is decorated with large
beams and panels of ornamental de-
sign, the interstices being plastered
preparatory to receiving the frescOes
that will still further brighten the
general effect. A parquette floor
of polished hsrd-woods similar to
that Of tho library has been laid in
the receptfon-room, and when the fin
ishing touches are added to the ceiling,
and the walls hung with silks of Indian
designs, as intended, the apartment will
be as magnificent as it is costly. The
area Of the reception-room is 2Gx3S
feet, and it occupies the southeast cor
ner Of the first floor, three windows
looking on California street and two
towards the bay.
AL tie rooms on the first floor have
large sliding-doors that disappear in
the walls at the slightest pressure. The
visitor can pass from the reception
room to the ballroom on the same side
of the building; but for the purpose Of
clearer illustration, let the reader
imagine that the spectator has retraced
his steps to the snte-hall, already de-
scribed. FROM this subdivision one
passes into the central and main hall
Of the mansion through an imposing
archway, very wide and very high.