The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-12-06
THE NEW MERIT BUILDING.
The Magnificent Structure at the Corner
of Eleventh and II Streets


of Eleventh and # Streets.
Discriminating Americans and observing
foreigners claim that this Capital is the hand
soonest city in the world. Whether this be so
or not, the fact is apparent that no large city
is making more substantial advancement than
Washington is to-day. On boulevard or ave
nue. the fact will show itself in improved
streets, in larger and more imposing edilces,
and In many other evidences OF private and
public efforts to make the city keep pace with
the most advanced Especially along street
is the spirit of Improvement still manifesting
itself, and among all the improvements on
that thoroughfare none impresses the observer
more favorably than the new Mertz Building,
corner and Eleventh street. 1t rises fully
ak ample stories above ground, aud embodes
every serviceable modern Improvement for the
expeditions transaction OF business.
This building has an automatic safety pas
senger lift running from cellar to roof, lighted
by electricity. Electric lights, calls, speaking
tubes, and lavatories are throughout the
mouse, insuring every advantage possible by
their possession. On entering the store an
Impression of elegance combined with utility
is made upon one. just opposite the door
the beautiful soda fountain is seen, one of
the largest andshandsomest Of Matthew's out
put, with counter OF fine marble adorned
with panels of true onyx, the whole In charge
OF the most skilled people in the soda water
line. The floor will be sure to attract atten-
tlon: IL is Roman Mosaic pattern, and full
OF elaborate detail, the observance Of which,
In painstakfng labor, produces the satisfactory
finished effect. Hillgartner & Son, of Bati.
more were the designers Of this beautiful
piece OF workmanship.
The ceiling is very attractive in its finish to
harmonize with the wall, and is known as the
kinnear steel ceiling. 1t was put up by Muir
dock & Durant, Of this city, in the style
'panel and beam" and reflects great credit on
them The decoration of the walls was by w
b. Moses & Son, in hand relief and solid
oil coiors the prevailing hue Is yellow, with
varying shades OF the color to produce the
artistic effects desired. The chandeliers are
OF unique and attractive design, in wrought
iron, and, with the gas fixtures and electric
light devices, were fitted by Corning, of this
city.
The fixtures, cases, and prescription depart
ment, all furnished by Reinle Bros, OF Balti-
more, are the most artistic and beautiful of
any drug store in Washington, il not in the
country. They unite beauty with utility, and
with their style. Solid mahogany, hand
worked and hand-carved, is the wood Of
which they are constructed, and the highest
akill was employed In manufacturing them.
The cases are all secretary style, rolling top
lids of beveled plate glass The shelving is Of
solid mahogany, cut and filled and hand carved
to show to impressive advantage. The coun-
ters are beautiful evidences of wood working,
their panels of rich beveled mirrors and their
tops of marble. But the piece de resistance
is the prescription department. This elabo-
rate fixture has. as its centre, an immense
mirror with beveled edges, on the top of
which rest two grifins, handsomely carved.
The wings or sides of this case contain draw
ers and shelves and cupboards for the proper
keeping of the remedial requisites of first
class prescription department, while back of
It, against the rear wall, rests cabinet case
(or its similar) OF drawers and shelving for
extra supplies for this branch of the business
The whole rests on a parquette or gallery,
reached from the store by the elevator or by
narrow stairway, and is insured the privacy
which such important work demands; for
here scores OF prescriptions are daily COM
pounded, and the cautious and careful pre-
scriptionist appreciates the benefit of isola-
tion. Near the immense F.street window is
the cashiers department. beautiful piece of
furniture in mahogony, beveled mirror panels
and woven brass front and sides, suggesting
strength along with unique style.
Viewed as an improvement or necessity
(or both)-for the proprietor had to seek en-
larged facilities for rapidly developing
business-the new Mertz Building is one
which solidly benefits the section where 1t Is
located, improves the city, and will undoubt-
edly reward the enterprise of the proprietor.
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