The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-07-16
THE L U BUILDING.

A Magnificent Structure Both Outwardly
and I%nvardly.
Viewed from either of the streets on
which it fronts, the Montana club building
presents the idea of solidity. The general
style is Romanesqus. and the material used
is granite for the first story and pressed
brick above, with co!ored sandstone trim
mings. The Sixth avenue side shows six
stories and the Fuller avenue side i've
stories. The alley Of the north side pre-
SCENTS nine stories above the basement, the
additional number being gained by reduc-
ing the height of the stories in that part OF
the building, which is devoted to the seYy-
ants quarters. The basement Of the
building contains a barbershop with bath.
rooms, on the corner proper: store rooms
in the rear; and engine. boiler and fuel
rooms and wine cellar for the use of the
club. The ground floor is devoted to two
large and we'll lighted stores. From the
second story on the Fuller avenue front
project two heavy %corvils. one of which
serves to form a pleasant corner for the re-
ception room and the other being at the
billiard room. The same bays pro-
iecting from the third story from the
balconies for the library and card room. In
the center of tho third story is q logRia,
which is entered from the end of the hall
dividing the GARD room from the library.
Two gables begin at the fourth story and
extend up, with n smaller gable between,
giving the building one of it's main fsa-
lures. The SLATE roof extends upward fol
three stories and is pictnresquely broken by
dormer windows. At the main corner OF
the building ia a tower. which at the main
hoor forms G cozy nook for the reception
room and at the tloor above n sim
liar purpose for the reading room. Above
the fourth floor tho tower takes on an
octagon form. forming at that story . nice
corner room for members and ut the fftt
tloor becoming m open loggia. from which 6
grand view can bs had of Helena and the
surrounding country. The Sixth avenue
side shows tho same general pleasantly
broken api earance. with a small bay letting
ont from the conversation room. small and
large windows, balconies, etc. The maiu
entrance to the club quarters Ia at the west
end of the Sixth avenue side. md over it il
a heavy arch of beautifully carved granite.
Generally speaking, the two fronts are
pleasing in appearance. pioturesquely
broken and withal harmonious, and the
structural forms and the heavy granite
base aud columns give the idea OF solidity.
The general design ia bold but attractive
On the Fuller avenue side, set in the Sec
ond story front, is a panel of carved sand
stone, benrinR tho coat of arms of the state
and below the name of the club and the
date of the beginning of the structure.
1892.
While the exterior presents the idea Of
solidity and & nndeur, the interior conveys
a lasting impression Of magnificence and
comfort. Going into the vestibule from
the sixth avenue side through tho two
massive doors of the main entrance, over a
cream toned marble floor, the visitor il
aateeably impressed with the luxury and
splendor to follow. from the key note
formed by tho richly pane!led wood work,
embellished with panels of solid relief in
Titan red and gold tones. Or the novel
post leading to the grand entrance hall
above is m electric fixture of exquisite
workmanship and form. with incandescenl
globes forming II beautiful cluster round q
large center made i'll the form of an old
fashioned lantern. Ascending the broad
stairway, one of the most magnificent archi-
tecturally- planned halls ever attempted
meets the view. Walking to the opposite
end one passes stately roomB on enct
side opening from it through doost
OF grand proportions invitingly bockonipQ
him to enter. Tu Mug around at the fur
Their end of tho hall. the visitor gets a good
view OF the magniiicence that has boon on,
together here by mechanical skill. Look
ing from the Crandly proportiopea hall.
panelled in beautiful tones OF Indian reds
relieved with n unique decoration in a de-
sign OF the same character and c~arpeted
with Indian rugs. one sees at a glance the
interiors OF no less that ten rooms, all
decorated to make u perfect blending OF
colors and 30 rs to rive that life like ofeot
and radient glow of contrast of color only
obtained by tho most famous artists in thor
masterpieces. 10 tho left the first Of the
series OF rooms liz this reception room. II
ia a room of large proportions and
beautiful architectural feature. smbellished
with n decorative treatment of Two v white
and gold. seldom excelled for its purity In
Treatment throughout. + ON its carpets, por-
tiers, decorations and furniture, to its man
tells, tiles. electric tixtnres md all. Every
f%eature and color IL designed especially to
blend with the other, forming q most por-
feet scheme throughout. This room is in
the Renaissance school of design, showing a
fanciful display OF tho ~ascnnthua lenf. The
walls and ceiling IRE pAnelled with hard
wood enriched with carved relief, eaoh
embellished with frescoed panels. The nor.
tiers are of ivory IN gold. Velours de
Antwerp, finely embroidered with metallic
thread ana si,k designs BY ParisiRn artists
emIlOyed for the work. A soft On pot oil
royal Wilton supplies u fitting frame for th,
picturesque furnishings. A deeply tufted
circular divRn in rich gold morio silk ocou
pies u prominent place in a half circular
end Of the room aud will give the scheme