The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-11-02
MODERN SCRANTON HlhE
NoM Being Erected on Monroe Ayeaus
for Thomas h. Watkins.
PEKrEcr IN EVERY DETAIL
Ground Floor dimensions Are 0?x26
Feet building Is Of Stone and Of
Firo IroOf CCnstfuct'c en- DC.
seript.on Of the Building.

The erection of an elegant mansion
for Thomas H. Watkins on the upper
side of Monroe avenue. midway be-
tween Vine and Olive streets. is being
watched with no, little interest. 1t Is
whispered that when the bare structure
Is finished 1t will represent cost great
er than that of any single dwelling al
ready built or being built In the city.
but its erection Is also inviting atten-
tion from a purely artistic standpoint.
for. aside from cost. the building will
IN its general effect and interior ar
rangements repre- sent the essence OF
architectural skill. mechanical excel
between $35,00O and $4,000 before the
decorators or furnishers do their part.
From the opposite side Of the avenue
the structure does not reveal its large
ground lioor dimensions OF 62x68 feet.
Its lines show the architects aim for
flneness and compactness without de-
stroying the comfort that comes with
viewing q substantial. CHEEKY home.
The style might be described as French
or RonIlnt.c by an architect, as each
game, cornice pillar and hard line Is
relieved of monotony by carving
moulding or stone filigrec, II such q
term is permissible. The effect is at
once rich and bright in every part of
the two and three-quarter stories. Sc
lected West mountain stone. each piece
streaked with white, yellow or red,
composes the body of the walls. The
trimmings are heavy and are Of Lake
Superior red sandstone, the shade be-
ing almost a dark red brick color. A
light and airy effect 10 given by q red
slate roof. the flashings Of which are
Of copper.
The Work to Be Done.
The foregoing description applies to
what has already been built: what fol-
lows concerns the work to be done.
The main entrance to the building Is
on the extreme right front and will be
approached through heavy overhead
porch which will run uncovered, around
the front to a point in the center Of the
north side of the house. where another
overhead porch will be used as a car
riage entrance. The porch structure
with it's pillars and trimmings will be
Of the same material used In the build
ing proper.
Passing through the front entrance
Ing to a staircase hall, larger than an
ordinary dining room. at the end Of
which Will be an open fireplace. To
the right 1T the staircase hall will
be an elMptical reception room. To the
left and at the front will be the living
room opening into a dining room 15x26
feet. which will contain q built buffet
on the rear side, and a fireplace In
the bay on the north side Of the room.
The dining room opens Into the main
staircase hall, which will he 22x16 feet.
Leading from this hall and to the right
and rear Of the building will be the
library To the left rear will be the
kitchen, servants dining room, but
ler's and kitchen paatries. and trunk
hoist. which will reach from the cellar
to the attic.
Arrangement Of Second Floor.
The seconi floor will contain four bed
rooms. three private bath rooms ard
many large closets. Three OF these
rooms, like the rooms on the ground
floor and the third, or top. floor. will
have hreplaces. On the third floor will
be q billiard room. at the front. two
guest chambers with bath, quarters
with bath for four servants and
large storage room.
The stable Is directly In the rear OF,
and IL Of the name material as the
house. 1t opens on Hitchcock court,
and has quarters for q coachman and
family on the second floor. The base
ment opens on the terrace leading up
to the court and will contain the
laundry.
In the construction Of the magniA-
Client dwelling no detail which will
make 1t durable, convenient and COM
Portable has been overlooked. Metal
lath IL to be used beneath the plaster
Ing, and other precautions taken 10
insure as certain y fireproofing as Is
practical. Both gas and electric ap-
pllanceS will be constructed In the
building. The hot and cold water sup
ply pipes will be of brass. The many
bath rooms will be tiled and marble
safes will be indentured In the tiling
under each lavatory appliance. In
winter the water will be heated by
steam and In summer by q special ap-
paratus. Excepting the attic, the heat
will be indirect. that -, cold air from
the outside viii be conducted over coils
Of hot steam pipes and distributed
through the house. thus fnsurlng at
all times q plentiful supply Of fresh
air, whether heated or cold.
Perfection Of the Details.
So with its perfection Of detail In
style. Its many interior comforts and
and its tout en- semble Of
elegance within good taste the building
Will be no less a credit to- the archi-
tect, L. c. Holden, Of this city, than
to Scrant ton itself. which is becoming
popular as well for Its beautiful homes
as for its commercial advantages. The
main structure Is being erected by Con-
rad Schroeder, whose excellent build.