St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-07-04
A Work of Art.

Inc new Hotel Ryan, st. Paul. is now
completed and on last Wednesday. July 1,
lllS magnificent pile of architecture was
opened to the public. No one who saw
only a little more than twelve months since
Tue Workmen eXcavating the foundation
trenches could then have believed that the
promise held out by the energetic con-
structors OF this vast building. to have the
work advanced to its present stage
OF completeness. could posi-
oly be fulfilled. Yet day by day the great
project has assumed material shape and
now the citizens of ST. Paul may well pause
III wonder before the grand result and ask
themselves. as they do, by what combina-
non OF circumstances, by what resources
OF skill, executive ability and tireless
LABOR this marvellous growth of a
single year could be achieved.
y structure Of 225 feet in frontage on one
SVIeet and $50 feet on the other, rising to
height Of 112 feet above the sidewalk and
TO helght OF 1870 feet above its foundation
level; lis towers rising to a height of $50
1eet; comprising seven stories and a base
meht; sIbdivided into some. five hundred
lOonis OF compartments. and all an accom-
PllsIed TACT In this brief space of timel
1tC such mas been the work of the builders
OF the Hotel Ryan. Something, we ven
ture to say, that cannot find a parallel i'm
ms, or any other country, when the con-
StructlYe difficulties, and the enduring and
elaborate nature of the work are taken into
consideration.
THE EXTERIOR.
Seen from the corner of Robert and Sixth
streets the building presents striking and
beautiful example of the adaptation of free
modern Gothic, or medieval design. to the
wants and requirements of the present time.
\ pf 1
the principal entrance on Robert street.
with a doorway OF polished red and grey
granite. and richly-sculptured sandstone,
and similar, though lighter, treatment of
tower suImounted by graceful spirelet,
marks the second or ladies' entrance on
Sixth street
THE MOST STRIKING FEATURE
OF the architectural composition, however,
Is the Oriel window, on the corner of both
Streets resting upon the corner peer of
stone, and springing from slender granite
shafts and richly-Sculptured corbels, whence
II rises to the full height of seven stories
and ends in spire OF remarkable grace of
design. The design is further emphasized
by the happy combination of materials.
Brick, Ohio sandstone red and grey granite
and terra Gotta of rich and varied design
lend the charms of color to the graceful
proportions of the grand exterior. Other,
and hardly less striking oriel windows, sup
ported on richly-carVed corbels and
with nodded balconies of stone. and
baluStTades of wrought iron. are most
iudciOusly disposed along both facades and
define the principal chambers on the several
floors. porticO of wrought and cast iron
extends from the curb on Sixth street to
the ladies' entrance, and, with its rare and
excellent workmanship, and grace of pro-
portion, completes that beauty of facade
which so distinguishes this notable edifce.
THE INTERIOR.
Entering on the ground floor either from
the ladies' entrance. or through the grand
tower doorway on Robert street, the visitor
passes through halls and vestibues. tiled
and wainscotted with many-colored mar
bles, to the grand central hall or Office an
apartment so
UNIQUE IN CONCEPTION,
and so elegant in design that it becomes
difficult to present an adequate idea OF its
effect. a Gothic hall OF the old baroniaI
period of the art would perhaps convey
an impression of it to the initiated.
1t is an apartment 175 feet in length and so
feet III width, divided into bays by slender
columns, lighted at one end by mulloned
window OF stained glass and by a clerestory
with stained windows, this clerestory be-
Ing the central division of the hail. which
here attains to height of about thirty feet
The ceiling is of Octagonal form, richly
paneled and carved in red polished oak,
'0rming the subdivisions or panels which
IRE further embellished by chaste and ele-
ant frescoings. On either side of this office
q hall are conveniently disposed the ladies'
reception rooms, writing room, large and
s acious layatOries. cloak rooms and other
indispensable features Of the best modern
hotels, all finished in oak and marble as
their. nature OF purpose demands. The
floor of the hall is paved with marble.
while a richly-caryed wainScotting
of red oak carries out its cOncep-
ton to a harmonious completion.
Extending behind the office. around an open
court, are corridors which lead to the bill
lard room and to the bar and lunch room.
the latter fronting on Sixth street. These
rooms are also elegantly and appropriately
finished in marble and hardwood, cores
ponding with the general aspect Of the
story. On either side Of The office are
THE GRAND STAIRwAYs.
each finished with marble steps, cherry and
redOak balustrades up to the second floor. and
thence to the top in the hard woods. These
stairways are Enclosed by solid brick walls.
framed with iron and elegantly lighted.
both rom the alley on one side and the
courts Oh the other. They are tire-proof in
all the essential features of construction,
their integral, or concealed features, being
Of iron and fre-clay tile.
Ascending these stairs one finds himself
on the second floor, at the
GRAND LOBBY OR RECEPTION HALL,
On the Sixth street side, appropriately over
looking the ladies entrance and opening on
TO the grand balcony. which sunnounts
the portico Of this entrance. and forms a
most attractive feature of the general ar
rangement. Opening off this reception hall
are the elegantly frescoed parloIS. all fin
ished in polished cherry, lighted by lofty
windows with stained glass lights. and of
ample and pleasing proportions. Five ele-
CANT mantles of marble and onyx. with wide
CRATES. give an air OF comfort to these rooms
and to the reception hall. a short corridor
leads from this hall to
THE GRAND DINING-RoOM,
an apartment of vast proportions, being IS
feet i'm length. 40 feet Ia width and % feet
IN height. 1t is distinguished by much
the same grace Of design and conception
that marks the office, having a ceiling of
still more elaborate design and workman
ship in red oak panelngs and wainScot-
tings of same material. while sixteen lofty
windows, with stained glass upper lights,
give an even and soft light TO every portion
of the immense apartment The ar
tistic decorations Of this hall are superb.
Opening off the end Of this dining hall are
the two anneXes, or smaller dming-rO0ms,
which give an unusual capacity to the dim
ing facilities of this great hosiery. making
q series OF banQueting rooms nearly one
hundred and thirty feet in length when the