New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-29
A CLUB OF PROGRESS.
LAYING CORNERSTONE FOR NEW
HOUSE.
A suNMARY OF THEIR PROSPEROUS HISTORY
THE HAPPY MEMBERS CELEBRATE THE
DAY WITH DINNER

HAPPY MEMBERS ihI
DAY WITH DINNER.
The members Of the Progress Club now fool that
their new club house, Fifth-ave and sxythird ST., is
veil under way for the cornerstone was placed In
position yesterday The foundation was laid some
time ago. and the walls now little above the
street level but not considered that the build
ing was begun until tho cornerstone Was laid At
20 o'clock party Of the members left the present
club house and with President Simon Goldsnberg and
Vice President Jacob n. Loewenstine in the van.
marched UP Fifth to Sxtythird-st. whore large
number of ladies and gentlemen were waiting for the
ceremony TO begin. Lyman G. Bioomingdale, chair
man OF the Building Committee, made few remarks
As he handed to President Goldenberg the silver
trowel and mallet made especially for the occasion.
Mr. Coldcnberg's speech was In happy ven He
spoke Progress Club in the past and predicted
for It a brilliant future. It's namo told the tale OF
fits The number Of times It had been forced
10 seek commodious quarters was sufficient tes
tlmony of the clubs progress. when, on October
IS. 1884, he said, "eight young men, strangers In
this country, formed little circle for the cultivation
of generous social feeling, they had no conception
of the important position the club thus formed would
ultima ely occupy. They had not ever name. but
in one weeks time their number had sweled to
twenty and they named their club the Progress Club
Then they met at No. 80 Third ave. But in short
time the rooms were too small, and they moved to
larger ones in Fourteenthst As their
membership increased, they have success
lively occupied four club houses since then Five
years ago built at cost OF S125ooo our present
fine club house al Nos. 40 and liz East Fifty ninth
St But even that house is now too small for our
needs The membership of our club is now 346
SO year ago this beautiful site was purchased, and
the club house which will be erected here Will be as
fine any in the city, and lasting monument 10 the
progressveness of the Progress Club, for We do not
expect find 1t necessary to make another change"
lie then spread the mortar and the huge block OF
nalIc flla rock
IT'S face is chisclled the date Nov oS, 1888" The
metal box which was placed in tho cavity contains
transcripts Of the clubs records, coins, newspapers
etc. There were present at the ceremony Isaac
stlcbel, Jarob Rothschd, Charles Wise, Leon Mandel
Theodore Harris, Isaac I. Myers, s. w. Mayer. Her
man Ramizer NJ. Lachenbuch, NJ. B. Beckman, Jacob
ii. Flcsch, Otto Iorwitz and William H. stner.
The plot of ground owned by the club is 100x100
feet, and the building will occupy all except strip
eight feet vide the east sde this being left for
light and air prize of s., 800 was offered for the
hes, plan submitted, and Professor W. r. Ware. OF
Columbia College the judge selected that of Alfred
Fucker e. Co. The building will be FIVE stories high
with cellar and basement With the three principal
stories mezzanne floors will alternate at the second
and third stories The feature Of the Sxty-third-st
front will be the main entrance. an arched opening
eighteen feet wide After the plan Of the Union
League Clubs house, there will be entrance the
avenue. The architecture of the exterior will be Ita
ian Rcnaissanc of tho style Of the fifteenth century
The material used in the facades WI. be fawnc olored
brick terra Gotta Of a deeper shade and Beevie gray
rock For balcony railngs, basement window guards
etc. ornamental wrought iron will be used The
architects promise that the building will be as ornate
and complete any in Fifth-ave. The cellar will
contain bowling alleys, storage rooms, etc. The bill
Hard room cafe, stewards receiving room and lard
will occupy the basement
On the Ffth-ave front Of the first story will be
drawing rooms, ladies' parors. libraries. committee
dining
s5x55 feet and "a feet high, will be the second
story. The mczzanine floor Immediately above will
contain smoking and chess rooms and dressing rooms
for ladies. feature of the club house will be the
ball ROOM which is necessary for a club whose
monthly entertainments we'll known. This will
occupy nearly the whole OF the third story, its dmen
being e6x65 feet and "a feet high. Above the
servants rooms. Particular attention will be paid TO
the halls and staircase extending from the basement
to the lobby before the ball ROOM The stairs will DO
broad, with wide landings at each floor. From the
second story the roof the space occupied by the
stairs about 35x60 feet will be left open. which with
the large demilight will afford light and ventilation
There. will be extra iron stairway on the outside
of the building leading to the passageway, that the
building may be quickly cleared in of necessity
The club house will be brilliantly lighted by gas and
electricity. The estimated cost Of the building is
$500 900, and 1t is expected be ready to be
pied by October, 1850
To celebrate the laying Of the cornerstone the club
enjoyed dinner and ball at the present club house last
night.