The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-14
THE HOTEL JEFFERSON.
PLANS HAVE BEEN ADOPTED FOR
THE MAGNIFICENT sTIUCTURE.
The Contract Awarded to Messrs Carrere &
Hastings, Of New York-The italian
villa style Selected.


Aren,s on the square bounded by Frank
lin. Main and jefferson streets.
Twelve architectural firms sent plans.
and they were thoroughly examined by
the three above-named gentlemen, as
sisted by an architect who did not submit
men of taste and experience. They unan-
imously selected the work submitted by
Alessrs. Carrere & Hastings as the best
suited for the purpose intended.
The plans showed various styles OF
architecture--tne Renaissance, Roman
esQue Gothic, Colonial and Italian being
among them. Many OF them showed con-
siderable beauty, and had many points OF
merit, which made the contest quite diff
cult to determine. All OF the efforts OF
the architects were sent TO Major Ginter
unsolicited on hts part. and he granted
permission for the twelve to compete.
There were many others-iirms OF long
experience and considerable reputation
who afterwards asked permission To en-
ter into competition. but he decided that
the aforementioned gentlemen were iully
competent TO present plans That Woulu
give him as wide a field from which TO
make his selection as he desired, ana
refused the others, who had IN reality
forfeited their right. IL any existed Tor
them. by being late Corners. Had other
competitors been allowed TO present plans
Major Ginter would be 10 this day re-
ceiying Them and ne was forced for that
reason also 10 confine the competition
among those who first made application
The architects who entered into the
competition were as follows;
Mcfarland Bracket & Mcfarland Boston
]. Stewart Barney .............New noIn
Carrere & Hastings ..........,..New iV,N
David Evans ...... .Phiiadelphia
Harrison Albright .fhllauelpila
Harvey l.. Page a. Co. ......Washingtoh
w. NJ. Poindexter .............N ashhs.on
benson q Schneider ..........W ashihse"i,
Poindexter q Bryant .........'' hlCiii"OIiu
George Parsons ..............'.''.Nisli -,
CARPENTER a. PEBBLES ................NOIl Olh
c. L. Norman ....................'.'A 'i",,
The plan selected is OF the ltahan VIVA
STYLE Of architecture, and possesses iiOio
agreeable characteristics than the DINERS
,rhs fall of the lot from Franklin TO Main
street is nearly eighteen feet ana the
nroblem TO be solved was the connection
~ the two fronts in such manner
as would present the most attractive ap-
nearance and at the same time MAKE inc
hotel most convenient.
Nessrs. Carrere & Hastings were happy
IN the solution OF the problem ana nave
given to Major Ginter ana the other sen
tIsnnen concerned the plans OF hotei
which meet all the requirements. Besides
being of the Italian villa type. there Is
touch of the Spanish and Venetian
The principal ladies' entrance VIII pe
on franklin street and the prlhcipdI
entrance for arriving and oepdieine
male guests will be on Jefferson sure.
under a portcullis, while the business
entrance will be on Main street C vi,
that side OF the building the once vi"
be situated. 90 nod.
The plans call for upward OF so peu-
rooms. with generous nuihoe' -,
80. racention-rooms, and a grand dining
room which will cover the entire Wiz" ain
~ the building. some 40 feet ms
sunerb dining-hall will front on MAN
street. will be on the second moor Oh INV
Na,n-s,reet side, and will occupy the
ere foor as the first floor OF the FRANK
Iin-street side. In other words the ms
floor of the building on Franklin sueet
will be the second floor on Main DeCa USE
there is fall Of eighteen feeI III 'i's
ground. -, I'll, 10 tho
1T yardens. one OF which can be used
as n concert hall. IL so desired Lhere
xv,ll also be a winter garden, covered Win
glass which will be approached on lhe
level with Franklin street -.
the hotel will cost about SH,WV ana
will be built mainly Of light creaIn-cOloFeo
brick. with terra Gotta TRIMMINGS
The architects selected DE" tue plans
for the renowned hotels in 81 Aug
Ela.-the Ponce de Leon and the AcAzar'
They also drew the plans OF the Common
wealth Club. the most important hotel at
Lakewood. and have built hotels IN Ne"
York. Providence and other cities.
The excavations for the hotel VIII be
bsgun in about ten days. Mrs. Joseph X.
Anderson will leave her old home ABOUT
March lst.
In sIoan's Model Architect occurs the
following In reference TO Italian villa ar
chitscturs: -,
irregular outline from every point of view.
THE predominant figure Is the rectanglc,
hut many being introduced and so dis-
nosed as to break in upon each other
the irregular outline Is formed without
difficulty. The angular effect IS relieVed
by the seni-circular arch. which IS 1ree-
Nv used Great license is also permitted
An the ground plans. thus al hitting al
most every possible arrangement or apart
ments. This results probably from the
fact that the buildings are generally
erected on uneven ground a most pr'-nl-
nent and an almost universal feature Is
the square tower, or, as II has been lately
called the campanile. Properly, the cam
panile IL a bell tower. nigh 10 the church,
but detached from IT as the leaning tower
OF Pisa. The term is now frequently used
as applied above.
PIiny. In describing Roman villas,
speaks Of a tower which had in tn upper
story a dining-roorn, 30 that guests. Thile
gratifying their appetlteE. might feast also
their eyes on the fine views around. In
modern times such q use 81 the campa-
nile Is unknown, but - universally Ii II
introduced that we look for II In every
italian Landscape. II Oyerio0ks all parts
OF the house, and has balconies and other
ornamental features, which give II grace
and finish.
The principal entrance is generally In
its first story. which also AFFORDS 5000
position for the main stairway.
The roof. both OF the towers and main
building Is never steep. In Italy 1t Is
generally composed OF tiles. which form
a beautiful and permanent roof. Tin Is
used more with us, and Is so arranged
as to have nearly the same effect. In all
eases the caves are heavy and projectin%
being supported by brackets and canti-
levers of various patterns.
The chimneys are prominent, and serve
20 give greater variety 10 the outline. The
windows are made double. or triple, and,
together with the doors, have either
square or arched heads. according TO the
importance OF their position. Bay win
doys are frequent
All window and door dressings are
made very heavy. and indeed. through
l2,11