Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-07-10

} Valley City IA point of loftiness, and
Rapids and Ia snslroninen. that vel
misnt arouse tas raptarous admiral
ton OF an observer.
Materials saa Uo.strsetIss
From piers 10 roof crest the building
u built OF only such materials ~ have
met the approval of scientific archI-
lecture for durability aad non-cumbus-
uon- The enormous weight OF the
supefstructufe - sustained upon con-
crete piers sunk deep into the earth.
The entire interior l. built of structural
steel. There Is no connection between
the exterior OF walls aud The steel struc-
ture within them They are 30 entirely
independent that the exterior wall
might DC entirely removed without en-
dangsring the interior. The walls
sabserve the purposes OF enclosure and
ornamentation only. The outer walls
are built Of pressed commercial brick,
faced with Portage entry rock cut sand
stone Tor the flrst two stories, and with
red pressed brick and terra Gotta TRIM
} mings for the superstructure. The in
terror partitions, and all floors and col
umns are covered with fire PROBING,
the enclosed metal work being sur
rounded by open ar chambers.
Oak and Plate Glass.
The wood work Is all of oak, the
glass ali OF the heaviest French plate,
and all other material used of the very
best quality and kind known To archl-
tectursl construction. The main en-
frances are paved IN elaborate designs
IN mosaic. The patterns for the en-
frances were made ia England and ex-
PORTED IN readiness for speedy adjust
ment. All corridors on every floor
are finished in tile, that is of English
make and was imported by the build
ers. All bases IN the corridors OF the
building are of marble, and all VAIN
scOting IN the corridors, aside from the
mann entrance is OF keene cement.
The root IS OF lire proof construction, ,of
triple thickness. The building Is sur
rounded by steel frame work, contain
ing translucent lights, and wide pave
lSment OF stone tagging.
Fixtures and Furnishipgs.
The main entrance, which is elabo-
rately finished IN pink Tennessee mar
BILE, leads directly to two passenger
elevator routes and metallic stair
route that connect every floor OF the
building. Another elevator for freight
and lanitor's stair route constitute
the means of access to the upper floors
OF the building. The elevators are all
of the latest construction known TO
mechanics and embrace all the most
modern and scientifically correct prin-
ciples and features known. They are
built upon the compression tank sys-
tenn, operated by hydraulic power. The
shafts are 40 feet nigh and the power
sufficient to carry the cars with full
loads at the rate of 400 feet per minute.
The cars are built of aluminium. the
ligntest metal known to science. They
are finished in cnaste and elegant de-
signs and in their silvery brightness
nave an appearance Of lightness and
beauty not otherwise realized in eleva-
tor construction. The shafts are guard
ed by latticed iron and grille work In
elaborate and beautiful designs and the
swift flight Of the slvery car behind
them has all the brillIancy Of fash of
electric light. The grille work of the
elevator shafts. as indeed the metal
work of the stair routes and even the
hardware for door aud window TRIM
mings and the gas and electric chan.
delIers, are ALI Of special design and
uniformly finished IN the rich black of
the Bower Baarf process, trimmed in
oxidized bronze.
Grille Work Arches
The arch above the Pearl street en-
trance is guarded by an immense grille
of wrought iron. The closets OF the
building are arranged in a series one
above another, and occupying the same
relative position on each floor. They
are of elaborate construction. are pro-
vided with tile floors, radiators and
lavatories. They are all finished in
pink Tennessee marble, with heavy
brass morntings. No material Is used
in these apartments except marble and
metal. The fixtures are of the best
construction known to sanitary science.
They are all connected with huge
ventiIator shaft. provided with forced
ventilation, that draws all uuhealthful
odors from the apartments.
Tne telephone system of the building
IL provided for by special cable run
nlng direct from the central telephone
exchange. IL enters the building from
the roof and Is distributed to every
tioor and Office. The wires are all con-
ceaied from view. The gas and cleo
triU lighting is provided for by separate
systems, each having distinct fire
proof meter rooms on each fioor. The
building = provided by special under
ground electric connections. Two