Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-05-07
WEST ELEVATION.


are IS feet long IS feet wide with ceiling of
26 feet; the tapestry gallery will be 80 feet long
30 feet wide and &c feet from floor to ceiling
The main hall will be 35 feet wide and ITO feet
long and window garden will be the largest in
the country, and gardener will be in attend
anee at all times, as it will be a regular hot
house and large one at that. This will be
conducted exclusive of the nurseries,
There will be three floors above this and will
all be sleeping apartments. the rooms being
arranged In suites. The basement and top
floors will be occupied by the seryants and a
very fine passenger elevator will be used for
guests and the servants will have one of their
own. Ii is said that nearly one hundred ser
wants will be engaged at the mansion exclusive
OF the employees of the estate
The total amount of floor space in the man.
sion, aside from that occupied by the servants
VIII De ZZoVVo square feet IN the l20 rooms.
THE GRAND STAIRWAY
will be a winding one with a common center.
and the hallway in which it will be located is
circular on the inside and octagon shaped out
side. with windows looking in three different
directions.
The entire house will be lighted with cleo
trlclty. as will a portion of the grounds and
steam heat will be used subcellar will be
used simply rs the bottom of the various fresh
ar shafts, which will open into each room in
the house, and by this and means vet to be
employed the ventilation will be as near per-
feet as it is possible to make it.
GYNSAsIUM AND BOWLING ALIrY
The gynasium will be over the subcellar, and
this, when equipped, will be as fine as money
can make it, and adjoining this will be a pool
or plunge bath five feet deep and of great d.
menslons.
A bowling alley the regulation size will be
constructed, and from present appearances
there will be no lack of amusements for the
occupants Of the house during Indictment
weather.
The columns on the south terrace will be
covered with running vines in a short time.
Mrs Vanderbilt, mother of George W. planted
some vines, as did Mr.. Frederick Law Ohm
stead
THE EspLASADE
Directly in front of the house is the espla-
made. which is an artificial slope cut out of the
small mountain. This is being sodded and ia
already beautiful, though not half completed.
Inc esplanade Is 500 feet long, 800 feet wide,
with driveway 100 feet wide, a winding
bride path after the pattern of the old stage
coach roads down the mountains, with foun-
tam at each V-shaped turn in the path, and a
large one (the basin of which is Az feet in dame
teri IN the center. When complete this foun-
tam Will be much larger than the one in the
botanical Gardens, and with eight large foun-
talns playing IN the sunlight or moonlight upon
these mountains the sight will be truly grand
Two years hence, the contract stipuiates,
the house shall be under cover and il is then
estimated that two years more will be com
sumed In completing the interior, the exact
upon. but as much marble will be used as is
possible.
THE FURNITURE.
Though the work on the mansion has hardly
begun, so to speak, a large amour: of the
furniture it will contain has already been mr.
chased and is stored in New York CITY. When
Mr.. Vanderbilt goes on his annual European
tours he purchases in different cities of the
continent such furniture and decorations az
he desires used in the house. Only the most
beautiful and costly has thus far been selected
and before returning from the tour on which
he started few months ago he expects to have
purchased I'm additional amount of Furniture
tapestry, &C., which viii all be stored.
THE pEER PARK,
which Is quite near the house, ID about com.
Pieted and Is beautiful. Not long ago II formed
part of the vast forest of the estate, but LIS
scres were allotted to tie deer, and all trees
over three or four inches in diameter have
been taken out by the roots and the younger
ones which were the least shapely were
also removed, and now the park
has young growth of green grass
aud saplings upon 1t. In this park the deer will
soon be placed and they will add to the great
beauty Of the place. The park extends to the
main drive and IS upon little hail with q very
gradual slope, aud IL is probable a deer house
will be erected thereon shortly.
The roads will be macadamized, well drained
and severed and on either side will be planted
various small foreign trees and cultivated ones
Of this climate.
GIGANTIC NURSERY.
The nursery attracts great amount Of atsen-
ton from the fact that it is the largest private
one in existence and that though il has over
three million plants upon it there are no fiow.
ers al present, as all the plants are being culsi-
waited and shaped for outdoor growth ali The
year round.
1t Is intended that the greater part OF the
estate, With which the nursery is connected.
shall be occupied by systematically managed
Forest, OF such trees and bushes indigeno nous 70
'he region as are likely to be Of commercial
value. This forest viii be 600 scres In ~.
tent
On the banks Of the swannanoa river the