Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-12
CONGRATULATIONS.
Pittsburg Might/Well Adopt the
Beaconsfehd Terrace Idea.
IT'S A SUCCESS FOB BOSTON
High Time Gas City People We're Looking
Out for Solid Comfort
YOUNG PEOPLES CLUBS IN LONDON
WRITTEN FOR THE nrspIrcu.,


rapidly springing up around Pittsburg sug-
gest q consideration of the cooperative
dwellings described in recent issue of the
New England Mdgazins by John Waterman.
These houses, or as they are known in Bos-
ton, "Beaconsfeld Terraces" are situ-
ated in one of the loveliest SUBJ
urbs of the country, namely, Brookline,
about four miles from Boston. Here one
has, according to the stereotyped advertise
ment of all suburban places, ''all the ad-
vantages of country life with the conven-
fences of city living" and here some ten or
. dozen years ago Mr.. Eugene R K napp
purchased considerable (then unimproved)
land for the purpose of erecting country
residence for his own use.
About four years ago he conceived the
idea of building . group or block of houses
with advantages and conveniences at nomi-
nal prices by cooperative arrangement
These dwellings were not intended for tho
very poor, but for that numerous class in
each city-the comfortably fixed business
men who desire to live within easy distance
of their Offices. To quote freely from Mr..
Waterman:
Tho Boston idea in Detail.
''Mr. Knapp felt confident that well-to-do
people would appreciate an opportunity Of
living in thoroughly built houses which
would not need the constant repairing most
houses in this country require, and so he
had these terraces built on the old English
plan Of solid foundations, solid walls, we'll
seasoned timbers and roofs made to keep
out the rain as well as to look ornamental
They were built of stone and brick,
some representing the French chateau
style and others in more Of a COM
bination of the English and medieval castle
architecture, modified, of course, to insure
all the modern conveniences in the interior
arrangement of rooms, these being all that
the most fastidious taste could desire, the
architects having taxed their ingenuity to
give every room in the house abundance of
light and beautiful view of the surround
ing country. One of the most striking
things to the eye of the visitor is the ex-
quisite taste in which the rooms have been
decorated and the generous proportions of
all rooms, halls and fittings
"a boiler house is situated to the west
ward, and away from the houses in hollow.
The steam pipes are conducted underground
in some instances over 1000 feet to the diff
ferent terraces, and the main pipe runs
through the basement of each house, SO that
the occupants of each dwelling can regulate
the temperature according to indi-
vidual needs The temperature in each
room can also be regulated and the regular
supply to the house can be increased or de-
creased as desired by communicating with
the engineer at the boiler house. Arrange
inflow of fresh air is assured. There are
two boilers each of $50 horsepower, so that
in case of accident the houses will not be
without heat. The cost Of heating varies
according to size or exposure of house, this
all repairs
The Provisions for Pleasure.
ga casino connected with the terraces is
sort of club building used by children dur
social gatherings by the adults in the even
ings. 1t includes a fine conservatory,
where an abundance of flowers in bloom the
year round may be had of the gardener at
stated prices The casino has . bowling
allev, billiard room, etc, all arranged so
that by means of sliding doors amateur
theatricals may be produced with all access
'ories of stage, auditorium, scenery, etc.
"Stables that accommodate 250 horses |
with large carriage room, ayloft, ETC., are
built on low land near, where tenants may |
board their own horses or hire at a cost of |
,ne-third less than at ordinary boarding |
stables These stables are connected with |
each house by electric bells and = code of |
signals so arranged that equipages may be |
brought to the door or taken away without |
trouble. A park of six acres laid out with
walks, driveways, trees and flowers adds |
much to the pleasure and comfort"
The advantages accruing to people living |
n this way can hardly be estimated. It |
combines all the pleasures and benefits of q
arge country estate without the trouble and
expense of its maintenance Mr.. Knapp
has erected now in all four terraces, or 36
dwellings,, all Of which have been sold in a
title over three years, or at the rate of one
month, some being taken long before COM
,letion. The park is held in semi-owner-
hip by both the purchasers and Mr. Knapp,
lie being under contract to keep the park in
rider for Is years, when it is to be turned
,ver to the then owners of the property. |
rhe rapid increase in value of such i'm
is shown by the fact that this
Whole estate IN 1880 had an assessed valua-
ion of 81 900, while in 1890 the taxes alone
amounted to $4,000.
Combining Philanthropy and Business
Now if such luxuries can be so highly ap-
,reciated in Boston, where are some Of the
With all their nearby advantages of sea-
oast parks and clear skies, why would not
ONE "Beacons6eld Terraces" planted near
'ittsburg produce good fruit? Why will
ot some of our moneyed men (or women)
ombne business and philanthropy and
uild terrace or two in some of our lovely
liver locations?
Pittsburg with its high rents and e1pen-
i've living is becoming only place for ex-
sting not living, except to the very
7ealthy. Our cities stretch out to
uch an extent that man cannot spare tho
ime to live too far out of town, and build
ng has been so animated for the past few
ears that a family now must really 60 some
istance to find genuine open country and
air.
If some Of our numerous land improve
lent companies could be induced to set
side sufficient land for the purpose of park
tc., along the bank of one of the rivers
nd build really substantial handsome
wellings with enough variation within and
-ithout to redeem them from a sameness
nd monotony and at the same time give
he occupants all the privacy and seclusion
ecessary in each domain while the privi-
eges of greater sociability and enjoyment
ould be had in the general park and
avilion, they would find it both profitable
nd popular, supposing, of course, that the
uilding and planning was conducted in the
did, honest, conscientious manner in which
nose near Boston have been.
The Business of Beine Happy.
When the people have become educated
, the terrace idea they will demand it, and
ow much more inviting than the city club
ill that home Casino appear to the male
ision with its cozy smoking room, the we'll
tied billiard parlor, the beautiful conser.