New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-03-11
SALE OF FRENCH'S HOTEL.
mr. PULITZER 70 ERECT A BIG BUILDING.
NEW QUARTERS PROPOSED FOR 1.-THE WORLD" -
Will. lie PROPERTY BE CONDEMNED.

NEW QUARTERS PROPOSED FOR 1.-THE WORLD -
WILL THE PROPERTY BE CONDEMNED.
French's Hotel has been sold at last. Joseph
Pulitzer. the proprietor of The Urid purchased 1t
last week, but the fact was not made known until
yesterday Although the deed has not yet been
passed, there is little doubt that the sale Will be
contaminated since Mr. French, the owner, is
under contract to sell at $500 600. and this con-
tract q large deposits 10000. it is said-has
been made by Mr. Pulitzer
As is generally known, the site upon which this
wcl[known structure stands is among the most
desirable in the city for newspaper purposes. 1t
occupies the entire block in Park Row. between
FIanifort-st. and the Bridge entrance, except the
comparatively small space taken by Mr.. kosnak's
binding. Its frontage in Park Row is llj feet
The property extends down Frankfort-st. oppo-
site " The Sun office and the north wing of
Tur TRIurNr Building, 13G feet. The eastern
boundary line is 90 feet in length and the north
crn line, separating AZ from the ko>Inak building,
i q feet making the property almost r triangular
in shape. II is covered by the hotel building,
which VIII be Torn down.
HISTORY OF A wEII~KNOWN MOTEL
This wcll-lnown building erected forty
years ago by John Simpson and acquired great
reputation before the War as the headquarters of
pioneers returning from California. Mr. Simpson
only ran tho place short time. when Colonel
Richard French tool, charge. and it was under his
mana cement that the house attained ts success,
ii success. indeed almost great ~ that which
attended the old political rallying place, Tammany
Hotel which stood right across the way on the
ground now occupied by THE Sun" Building
Colonel French acquired possession of the cnt ire
property in sG1. When he died in az dispute
arose among the heirs which lasted for u long time
The hotel WAS closed for awhile. and when at Hast
a settlement was effected the business had to be
practically built up anew. The final >cttlrmen,
WAS made by Mrs Helen \. French, the wife OF
Thomas =. French cOIOnplS
the landlord Of the place, buying ont the other
heirs She became sole owner and Is from her that
Mr. Pulitzer made the purchase Tor s63V.VOo.
SIMON STEYTNS'S PROPOSED BUILDING.
The property has been held for some time al
$3.50, GEO. Several persons We're after it at diff
fcrent times. but RETAINED from buy ing through
fear that the Bridge trustees would decide 10 take
possession OF it, rs they have been frequently
urged to do. that the city might be induced 10
erect a public building on the ground. In tact
there ~ now plan before the SINKING lunh
CommisSio toners having this object in view. III
devised by Simon Stevens aud has hccn pub
nSncu IN o, ,nos. Of r H.v,i ,
He wants the city TO buy the land all around The
Bridge entrance and cover il with splendid
building ten or twelve stories high. The lower
stories were 10 he arranged 80 thai they would
afford terminus not only for the bridge cars
hut for the elevated railroad a well. The pur-
chase of the property by Mr.. Pulitzer would seem
to fruStratc this scheme, but Mr. Stevens does no'
think So lie said la>t night that the properly
could he condc mined just the same under the night
of eminent domain. As Mr. Pulitzer; however
intends, II is stated. 70 pat MP million dollar
building il is doubtful if the Bridge trustees or
the city authorities will feel disposed 10 acquire
the land when thus ornamcntcd. There are az
present two leases the property One OF them
does not expire until May. 1859. No changes
will he made till then. il i said. hrt A. soon
aftcrward possible work viii hc started on the
new newspaper buiidin. which Mr.. Puiitzer pro-
TO erect.
Abel Crook who is Mrs. Frcnchs legal repro
sentative in the matter. declined lai evening 10
rive any ,eittculars in r-gsrd IL the sale. but
admitted that the sale has hecn prac lca'llv c"Sm-
mated There WAS an evident dl,lncllnatlon 20
discuss the subject in "The World ohice ar
Pulitzer is still in California. Ballard smith
said that while he ccnd not deny the r'im"r
We, All he coud say in additio was that III" decd
had no, vet been passed. II too carly 10 talk
about tho character OF the building that would
h.. ed