New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-11-28
MIR. FLAGLERS "CAPRICE.r
REPRODUCING THE ORIENT IN FLORIDA.

REPRODUCING THE ORIENT IN FLORIDA.
ST. AUGUSTINE. Fla, Nov 23.-Americans have les
son taught them In work going now in Flordas most
beautiful social centre. ST. Augustine. few years ago.
after years spent rambling In foreign countries there
10 St Augustine 4 mild-mannered, slender gray
haired man whose talent found here the material and
surroundings for It's exercise. From sketches
OF the minute and elaborate details OF the Ahambra
Moorish places in Spain Tang1ers and Alers
this gentleman erected residence In ST. Augustine that
is emphaticaly work OF refined Oriental art The ma
teral used In the construction Is beach sand. small
shells and cement making beautiful concrete dura
BILE as granite In color Il light gray just about the
tint OF drapery Of the live oaks The ingredi
ents mixed with into then carried IN
hods and poured into the martx Of the rising walls
villa Z0rayda, this unique creation IL named, Is
notable building. appropriate the climate Of Florida
and SO graceful airy harmonious. elegant that t has
bee pronounced the most beautiful residence In Amer
lea Above the front entrance Is the inscription In
Arabic Wa Ia ghalib HIltah-' There Is no conquerer
but God" Following this example, buildings are
now IN progress and still Others planned
that Spanish or Moorish in every
detail These edhces not innovations, but harmonic
with the mellow OF the and two hundred years
old Spanish buildings streets and general quaint
air OF the ancient city by the
gentleman OF New-YOrk. Mr. Fl. NJ. Flagler was the
first follow this newly applied idea OF Oriental art in
architecture and after purchasing the most desirable
the purpose In the city or 81 Augustine Is erect
ing a Spanish palace which it Is dissertation to call
hotel However the name. Ponce de Leon IS some rest-
tuition This superb and costly measures $50
feet on St Augustnes principal and $50 feet on
Tolomatost The architecture is purely Spanish. from
and Overhanging tile roof TO the court and
Shell te is the material, with arches
windowcaps and trimmings OF deep red brick and cor
nices and finals OF terracoa the in hue The build
ing towers upward court arcade and four wings
TO a central dome thanked by two large towers whose
height 40 feet The building is receiving its red
tabularte roof The rich terracOa ornaments, inches,
figures, shields columns. caps and baustrades are
even richer in effect than the promise OF the
drawings The court s $50 feet square and Is COM
petey incloed in front by arcade OF ornate columned
arcnes stretch ing wing wing east and west En-
terng through archway OF terra Gotta and mosaic
you will find yourself in a tropical garden surrounded by
poruco fourteen feet wide, with rooms opening
thereon Opposite the entrance NJ the court Il stl
imposing and more highly decorated entrance lead
ing rotunda which dftyour by eighty feet aud
four stories height The encrcling balconies up
bed by Of columns and the etectOf the perspective,
made up OF columns. hes and galleries Is fascinating
night of marble steps faces YOU eaihg 10 Ihe uIhhs
ROOM apartment 100 by sixty eight feet, with circular
enas o. glass o,nllS, Tu ,Ttd caJng ~ he annrn
priatey rcscoe This artistic banquetng hall will seat
rooms and one Tor children The parlors series OF
with ntersectng columns that give cosey secusOn
and hint of beauty haunted hooks. There viii be ac
c0nmolatOns for 600 guests in the $50 bedrooms which
arranged az 10 form suites, including private hall,
direct light and ventilation. or course there Offices;
reading rooms steam heat, elecr1c Light and
other cOuveniences not necessary TO MENTION
But the does not stop here In Ills Work. me
Ponre de Leon faces upon the avenue Alameda so
called after elegant promenade In Spanish cities.
Directly the Alameda will be erctcd the AIeGzar
facade OF this unique structure Will be reproduced
from the AcaZar OF Seville while the large Interior court
will be surrounded by aresdes on which Opcn as ID the
Paais Royal bazaars, restaurants reading and billiard
rooms etc. with bowling alleys baths and tennis court
beyond The dimensions of the first section Will be ZOO
by feet approximately, with future extension upon
l9ufh hoy he'll he Z.
the Pals Royal stories OF apartments with nccom-
mediation with the Casa Monica TO which are coming,
OF overflow Of the guests Of the Ponce lie Leon and
for bachelors and little coter1es who are fond OF
European modes of life and economy These can take
apartments with meals served therein in the restan
rants beneath at pleasure.
And yet the whole Is not told Facing on the grand
Avenue Alameda Is TO be the Casa Monica" House
Mother OF Augustine just next door neighoor to the
Alcazar and dagonaly opposite the Ponce de Leon A
section OF 100 feet Is Completed anU the remainder
will follow The Casa Monica. together with villa Lorayda
side or the Acazar aud the Ponce de Leon
country architectural Illustration OF style foreign TO
Going up Alameda from the plaza pas
first Casa Monica on YOUR left; crossing Iolo-
matost you have on tho y 0aE nsh nnuo.i se
and villa ZOray da just beyond IL Casa Monica Is 10 De
spanish, with Moorish motifs For Instance, the grand
entrance will be by gateway. one tower OF which Is
eighty feet In height modelled from the MoorlsI ae"ay,
Pcrta del SOL at Toledo spain. The facade fronts on
the Alameda and Cordova-st. distance OF 400 feet
The completed will be opened IN January 1881
This group OF buildings will be notable monument 10
art IN architecture. Aud there Is more to tell or gaes
orange bearing; or grassy plots with hnse rOpi
cal plants OF costly and exquisite interior decorations
md hangings. IL has been called caprice" OF MI
Flagler. God bless esprTceI