The morning call., 1894-07-18
To Be Erected by Claus
Spreckels.
OF SUPERB, MODERN DESIGN
May Possibly Be Constructed of
White Marble.
FULL DETAILS OF THE BUILDING
A PaIatiai Residence to AdOrn the
Corner of Van Ness Avenue
and Clay Street.

The modern ideas of architecture that
have reached San Francisco during the
past few years are beginning to have their
effect on residences as we'll as on business
blocks.
Claus Spreckels, the well-known sugar
king. has just started house on the cor
ner OF Van Ness avenue and Clay street,
which, when it is finished, will be one Of
the finest residences in this city. The
architects have employed the Gothic style
of architecture. of the time of Francis l,
in the design of this magnificent mansion.
The building will be two stories in height
to the cornice line, and above that will be
an attic story, lighted by dormers charac-
;eristic of those of the Chateaux Chenou-
ceaux, Blois and Amboise of the early part
of the sixteenth century. One of the prin-
cipal features of this style of architecture
is the steep roof. II is usually equal in
height to half the entire height OF the
building, but in the present instance the
pitch has been reduced little, and the
roof will not, therefore, be quite 80 high.
The building will be built en- tirey of
stone, possibly of white marble, with a
slate or tiled roof, and the carvings, en-
tIrely OF stone. will be rich and prOfuse,
particularly about the main entrance and
about the dormers in the attic story. The
foundations, which are already COM
menced, are of concrete In plan the
building is about 100 feet square.
The main entrance consists OF wide
Gothic arch opening into spacious vesti-
bule, from which are two side doors, one
leading into hat and coat room and the
other leading into Mr.. Spreckels' private
office.
Opposite the main entrance there will be
lorc inn int n mo n ha
hall will be the principal feature of the
interior. Two stories in height, with
balcony running around the four sides,
access TO which IS gained by magnifice mt
flight of stairs. The effect will be similar to
that of the great hall in the Hopkins
mansion. The remainder Of the first floor
will be used for the dining-rOom. recep-
| tion-room, library and the culinary depart
ment.
The second floor contains the principal
sleeping apartments, with lounging-rOOms,
dressing-roOms and bathrooms for each.
The balcony of the main hall forms
stair hall for the second floor, and from
this hall handsome doors lead into the
various apartments. The stairs, which
will be richly Ornamented, having pro-
fusely decorated 6alustrades and richly
carved newels, will commence at about
the center of the main hall on the first
floor and run, with wide steps. to land
Ing ABOUT nail way up FROM Det6 Two
flights will run at right angles to the first
flight. one on either side of the landing,
so that both sides of the second-story bal
ccny can be reached with g DUAL facility.
The third floor will contain the servants
Quarters and the other rooms usually
allotted to that space.
All the modern improvements and luxu-
ries will be provided: Mosaic and marble,
frescOing. stuccoing. Thing, hard wood
ceilings, parquet floors and inlaid work
will be used to produce the best results
Immense Gothic freplaces in the various
| apartments will aid in the general me-
diRval effect.
The exterior, with its carvings, dormers.
fine entrance. round corner tower and