Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-21
EXIT OF OLD PLANS.
Entire Change in the Design Of the
New Duquesne Theater.
FRONT WILL NOT BE TORN DOWN.
Important Meeting Held by the Managers
to Consider the New Move.
OPENING DATE EARLY IN NOVEMBER

In spite of the statement that the building
inspector had demanded that the front of the
old jackson building be torn down, it is now
given out that the walls are all right and
will stand just as they are, to be used In the
construction of the new Duquesne Theater.
Further, entirely new plans have been sub
mitted BY new architect, and yesterday
Manager Henderson, Mr., jackson and
New York architect held a long consultation,
amid the ruins on Penn avenue, in regard
to the sudden change in the construction OF
the building.
In speaking of the new move Manager
Henderson said: "The story that the front OF
the j ackman building had been condemned
is false. The front will remain. The in
spector says it is all right. A portlco Will
be built over it, but no other marked changes
will be made on it. Work on the building
will not be completed until late in the fall.
We cannot open October as we had hoped,
but the house will be ready for the public
four or five weeks later if it costs million
dollars.
CONDEMNED THE WALLS.
Zone of the petty difficulties that have
retarded the progress of the Duquesne The
ater was the unsatisfactory character OF the
plans submitted by Mr.. Allen. We have
been forced to refuse his work on account of
various things. First, the walls of his pro-
posed elevation were in direct conflict with
the building laws of the city. They did
not come within the proper lines and were
totally unsafe. That was not the only
thing. His ideas of the general plan of the
house did not coincide with our views. Mr..
Allen has not made specially of this line
of architecture, SO far as 1 know, and we
differed with him as to the best
methods of putting up solid, sub
stantial structure. / understand that
Hamlin's Theater, OF Brooklyn, which
he planned, has been condemned by the
authorities, owing to the dangerous walls.
The building is pronounced unsafe, and, Of
course, we want to avoid anything OF that
kind, and consequently have decided to
seek plans elsewhere, for the Duquesne.
ENTIRELY NEW MODEL.
"One of the most noted architects in the
country, who makes theatrical work q
specially, Mr. j. B. McElfatrick, was con-
suited next, and he is our choice now. L
made arrangements with him in New York
during nv trip East the other day. Mr..
McElfatrick has built in the neig ghborhood
of so theaters located in all parts of the
United States. They are all frst-class
houses, and include some of the handsomest
buildings in America.
Excellent plans have been submitted to
us by Mr.. McElfatrick, and we are now
ready to push the work through without a
hitch. As have stated before; no expense
will be spared In the construction of the the
ater, and all our original plans to make the
Duauesne second to none in architectural
beauty will be strictly adhered to. The
house will be modelled somewhat after the
Broadway Theater in New York and the
fremont in Boston, both of which were de-
signed by Mr.. McElfatrick.
'"There will be 2 balconies and IA boxes,
on each side, with handsome pillars covered
with brass and nickel that will give the in
terror beautiful effect. The new plans
will give the stage depth of 40 feet, and
after those in the New York Metropolitan
and the house will seat 1, 900 people"
w. A. Sheridan, Chicago attorney,
and brother of the late General Phil Sheri-
dan, accompanied Mr.. Henderson to attend
to the legal end of the transactions
connected with the transfer of contracts,
etc. Mr.. Sheridan, although we'll
advanced in years. is a bright, active little
gentleman, with long, wavy hair. His gen.
eral manner aud makeup is said to en-
brace many features characteristic of his
late brother. He returned to Chicago on
the limited last night.