New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-30
d MODEL NEW OFFICE BUILDING.
THE MUTUAL RESERVE FUNDS FINE STRUCTURE
NEARING COMPLEXION.

THE MUTUAL RESERVE FUNDS FINE STRUCTURE
NEARING COMPLETION.
The handsome new building of the Mutual Re-.
serve Fund Life Association, In Of erection
at Broadway and Duane-st. has aroused the adj
miration Of all who have 1t. Through the
courtesy Of James L. Libby & Son, of No. 70 CEDAR
st. who are the agents of the building. Tribune
reporter was allowed to inspect the building and to
learn all the details concerning 1t.
The exterior Of the building is OF dignined and
attractive Romanesque style of architecture. The
material employed IL Indiana limestone, which has
given rich architectural effect. The building IL
| one Of the best types of the new steel buildings.
and is built in the most substantial manner 1t is,
| In fact a tremendous steel frame Enclosed In q
| handsome stone casing, while the partitions and
floors are of re-proof brick. The building Is four
teen stories high above the sidewalk. while below
1t there Is a spacious basement. In the basement
the complicated machinery OF the building for,
lighting heating and ventating Is placed. Part OF
the basement Is also used storage room. and
there is also a large luncheon room fitted up for
the accommodation Of the employees OF the com.
pany.
The ground floor which is on level with the
sidewalk has been fitted up for offices and stores
In this particular the managers OF the company
have made considerable sacrifice In rentals for the
accommodation OF its tenants. Many OF the modern
Office buildings have high stoop basement, by
means of which they have two floors with all the
advantages OF a ground floor. This has proved
source OF inconvenience to the many people occupy
ing the offices above the first hoor ior III suc, =
crowded building the descent or me ascsnr al
few steps causes a great amount OF Inconvenience.
BY placing the first floor or level Win tne hrosS
the tenants in the floors above enter by D,oS t1
hall on a level with the street. and thus aVo'a
the inconvenience and dangers Of stairs. IN. can.
The first floor of this building. which has sep.
arate entrance in Broadway has been panheo lys
banking The second nrd Re snG Fana
Life Association =, Il. Harper, the president OK
the ASSOCIATION will have bis ee from on the the nth
up, except the twelfth. have been afranSeu ,a rTs
Offices so planned that they can be rented singyy
for the Arkwright Club, which will have spieens-
did quarters. Besides the large dining room WHICH
will front Duane-st. there Will De care anu
women's diaing-room. wine.room kltcnen, Stew,
ards room. besides two private dinhy-,Soon nher
library and reading and Office and the o,ntr
rooms which go to make up nrsl-class s'u an
uptown clubhouse. and 1t VIII supply nc long ie.t
want OF business men who have occasion 60 en-
The building is provided with every convenience
that skill and modern invention, can give; rou.
ran;d Communication between the highest and low:
as, nsrts of the building The Offices VIII be heateo
by steam and lighted by electricity tnrousnou.,
while the plumbing yen,a h o snu careful study.
The unusually desirable situation OF 1ns uuna'ns
has enabled the architect. william II: ai nun S, ~
the street while large courts give good light 10
the other rooms in the building. All the WIDOWS
OF the building are me iarges. s so a. 10 give
vaults containing sates, are arrahseu so Dc !" e''
each Office a safe OF Its own. .... .,..Lr,
There are ample telephone connections speakns
tubes messenger calls goo S ae in ,hs main hall
az each floor The Railways are handsomely M
shed in Numdian marble. while the rest ar OF ,a ,ne
81 iron and stone. and are absolutely hre-proof
The building will be opened February !.