New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-15
MR.. FLAGLERS DREAM FULFILLED
THE HOTEL PONCE DE LEON FINISHED.

A GREAT DAY FOR ct. AUGUsrINE-BEAUTY AND
CONVENIENCE COMBIvED.
st. AUGUSTINE, Fla, Jan. 12.-Studying the fair
proportions OF tho villa zorayda built hero several
years ago by Mr. Franklin W. Smith. Of Boston, a
NewYork millionaire. In whose mind had long lain u
project. perceived how that project might DO realized
Hero In this foreign city tho American seacoast,
with every advantage that nature could furnish close
at hand Mr.. IL NJ F1ager determined to fulfil his
hearts desire He had for some time contemplated
the building OF o hotel which should como up to his
ideal Of elegance and comfort After surveying the
situation he determined that 1t should not DO alb
sOlute nnov alton. but that should harmonic with
the peculiar surroundings that 1t would seem to DO
native growth and not foreign importation 1t was
decided that 1t should DO of coquins concrete and
Moorish architecture. Tho site selected and pur
chased with the buildings standing on IT, the lattor
removed and work begun This work, after employ
ing army OF men for two years Is to-day declared
complete, and tho hotel Is formally opened with a
brilliant ceremony.
In describing the finished creation 1t really seems
as II evaporation impossible. The Moorish style
OF architecture the wide, low windows and large
towers have general effect of sodity rather than Of
holiness and the doa of height conveyed by tho
exterior. The surprise, them Is complete when. ON
entering tho visitor marks tho features of the
tunda lie has tho foelIng Of immense space about
him and general expression OF largo dimens ons but
particularly Of height The space covered by the
structure is little over four acres. Its cost is Two
and quarter millions. Tho material is concrete,
with terra Gotta and rcd brick trimmings Tho cost
Of the trimmings for tho front entrance and over the
front windows alone $4,000.
The visitor Is driven before largo archsd gateway,
exceedingly ornate, and a study In Itself Massive
doors open admit his carriage. which enters paved
$50 feet square, tho centre OF which Is occupied
by magnificent fountain This court is surrounded
on three sides by tho hotel, and on the fourth or
front (which Tools to tho south by massive wall,
through which tho carriage has just entered Tho
carriage describes largo circle rolling over concrete
pavemonts borered bv ornaments Of carved stone and
thus the visitor arrives at front which Is miracle Of
medieval art lie ascends flight OF stone steps
crosses q veranda, passes through the doorway, and
the Office rotunda, which IS 80 feet long by 81
feet wide aud whoso ornamental ooIins -four storoo
above him. lilo walks mosaic floors laid by Italian
artists imported for the purpose. To his right, WIFI
some guidance he will find the grand palor lmag
Inc room 100 by 81 feet, and high In proportion
its ceiling magnihcenty painted, tho mantos marvels
OF carving and OrnamentatiOn, the whole furnished
with more than Eastern magnifconce Tho carpets
were mado order in Scotland the furniture express
ly manufactured this particular room, as indeed
is tho throughout tho hotel It's furniture Is
unique In design and beautiful In finish
Whom guest desires to dine no walks over mo
sofened by costly rugs and finds himself In an clip
ticaI banquoting hall $50 feet long by sixtyn feet
wide and In It's cenlrc, thirty five foot high It's cell
Ing Is palnied with spirited scenes from spanish ana
Moorish history and NEUROLOGICAL heroes are carved on
cornice and niche six hundred persons can sit at It's
tables at QUO Benea Ia this room n a chldfens
nursery and play rOOm d, largo as city square, anu
furnished with every appliance for diversion Afor
he mas diucd tho visitor may take tho elevator 10 tho
roof and wander through an orange grove growing
there. Ladies' billiard rooms libraries. reading and
writing are So apart IL ~ similar "la tmehs
i,n pentnnmn
To supply tho establishment with water arto-
Sian we'll sunk for distance OF 200 feet such
a stupen dous How of water was obtained that 1t was
at first embarrassing but 1t resolved to utilize II
10 scenic effects IN tho grounds. Not far from the
Of the hotel was marsh covered with hcAets ana
undergrowth This wilderness Mr.. Flagler has caused
to DO drained cleared and filed up at great expense
II Is now, under the direction Of celebrated land
scape gardener Of NewYork transforming into mir
aclo of beauty. The from the artcsIan we'll Is
carried high aqueducls whence It Is made to form
Cascades waterfalls, fountains, fish ponds swimming
pools and winding streams. Drivewsys, promenade'
and lovers walks pass under long avenues OF per
petma verdure.
This modern wonder Of the ancient city stands to-
day completed magnificent fact 1t Is opening
under the most favorable circumstances day or
two ago a speclai tain arrived from New-York with
tho orchestra and army OF trained employees The
first vest train which has entered Florida has
been run especially for this OPP ming arrived yes
terd n.u, with guests anxious to secure rooms In
the Ponce de Leon. The studio, which q si~cial
contains ties Of artists rooms nearly all OF which
have already boon engaged for The winter
| have. fear gwen al impression mat tie Ponce
do LION Ike Napoleon In history, stands alone, grand
ant peculiar. hi woud N" a false showing Largo
as t IT, IL was deemed Inadequate for thu antic pated
domani and has been built OF tho Same
maier.L The general style. II IS called tho
Acayar and Is reproduction Of the Acazar OF Spa
on the eastern side OF tn" street and facing tho cir
culai dning-room Of the Ponce do Leon is dream
Of archtecfure-the ( asa Monica" Home Mother"
etc Th- builder is not rival but accessory Of
Mr. Flaglcr.
INrEpEcrLNG ILrER4RY EYENT