New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-04
PLANS FoB 4 NEW CONVENT
THE NUNS OF THE SACRED HEART TO REBUILD
THEIR RUINED HOME


The Mother Superior of the Convent OF the sacred
rtoart Manbattanville which was destroyed by fire
an the night OF August 49, has fled with the Depart
ment of Buildings plans for new building, at st.
Nicholas and Convent aves The grounds Oh the
Convent OF the Order OF the Ladies OF the sacred
usa,t extend from West one-hundred- and twenty
ATHEIST to one-bundrcd and thlrtyseventh-st, be-
tvreen st. Nicholas and Tenth ayes Tho main build
ing OF those destroyed about In the centre OF the
grounds. upon lofty KNOLL 200 feet above st.
Nieholas-ave The largest building faced south and
was Of brownstone, four stories high. This had
frontage of 200 feet and depth Of fifty feet On the
east end was an extension running at right angles to
II and about 1875 feet in length, In which was the
chanel On the west side was another wing extend
ing In northerly direction for about 175 feet and at
right angles to this stll another Of about the same
dimensions, and one also at right angles to the
museum-au OF these four stories high, and forming
fine structure
The walls of the main building are still standing
and these and the former foundations VIII be made
use Of as the plans were designed in such way as
rather TO restore the old convent than
10 build new one, as the 4iVOO
membeB OF the order had become much
attached to the Sacred Heart Convent, which was the
main branch Of tho order In this country Ihe plans
were largely formulated by the Mother superior ana
her assistants and were placed in the hands OF Will
NbfNAobAAN''N
building viii be four stories high. Fire escapes Will
be enclosed In brick and stone bay windows and all
the stairs In the building will be Of stone and iron
There will also be passenger elevator and two freight
elevators pea the centre of the main building The
cupola be built Of iron, and great part of the
building made HTc-proot Tho convent will have
frontage OF nearly 400 feet, with its greatest depth
about 200 feet On the eastern sldo will be the chapel
with nothing above It; aud in the rear an lnfr1nary
.f.Ir.. Tho
entirely separated and with separate staIrways,
quarantine for infectious diseases, 300 feet from
the rest OF the inmates.
The Easements OF the main building and Of the
three western wings will be utilized for pantres store
rooms, refectory kitchens. rooms for the various
employees. and \ laundry. on the fifth aoor Of the
central building VIII DO parlos for visitors private
dInngro treasurers room and the Mother superloPs
room. In the wing to the west OF that and at right
angles to It, will be recitation for the first course
pupils, library and museum ard 10 the rear large
number Of bathrooms In the wing at right angles
to that toward The west, viii be school rooms and
music for tho second course, and in the addition
which Is 10 be made on tho extreme west large
study hall Is to bo provided the idea being 10 furnish
separate study and recitation rooms In the main
building on the second floor will be the community
rooms toward tho west the other sohoorooms the music
roOm private bed rooms, study halls and general dorml
tories, while the fourth floor viii be taken up with
doFmores for the children and places Of retreat for
It IS suppc.cd that the cost of the building win
amount a. several thousand dollars and pains win
be spared 90 make Il complete I'm every particular.
II Is estimated that the whole sHeturc VIII be ready
for occupancy by next September. At present the
cottages the grounds being utilized for school
ard living purposes well rs the Ottendorer mansion,
which f. a. One hundrod-and thirty-sevenihst The
members ~ the have, Of course never got over
hs great shock occasOGrd by the terrible disaster and
gnrf for loss which In many respects can never be
replaced but they extremely hopeful for the fure,
and when tho present designs have been carried out
they Will have convent In which they may take great
pride aud which win be a splendid addition 10 the
architectural ornaments Of this city aud country, be-
sdcs being perfect house could be desired for
the resident pupils and the nuns. OF whom there
always large number While they received tbs sins
crest sympathy for their terrible misfortune. theY are
10 be Congratulated Upon tho bright prospects which
are apparently In store for them. Work has already
hccn begun and about two hundred men, under the
supervision OF Ralph Townsend tho able assistant Of
SIR. shlcke already beginning 10 produce order
whero chaos has regned since tho memorable night Of
the great fire. l..