The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-07-27
AN ARCHITECTS DREAM.


AN ARCHITECTS DREAM.
lie Plans Hundred Story Building Which
Would Cost s8.7sO.OOO and Weigh %.
500 Tons.
From the Cleveland World.
One cold day last winter when Vim
cent f. Gregg, the architect. sat with
his feet propped up against a glowing
base-burner stove and mused upon the
possibilities of his profession, there
suddenly came to him the idea of his
lO0-story building. the plans of which,
although just completed, have created
quite furore among his acquaint-
ances.
Many men with less ingenuity would
have dismissed the subject of the day
dream as chimerical. but somc.hing
inpelled Mr.. Gregg to investigate
whether or not the scheme was prac-
ticable, and having ascertained that II
was, a strange fascination inherent in
the work held his attention until there
had been completed the evolution Of
one of the most remarkable projects
yet planned.
For New York.
The building Is yet on paper. Here
tofore no mention has been made
of the matter, and as yet Mr. Gregg
has received no overtures for the plans.
He has no doubt. however, that 1t will
be built (by syndicate, of course). and
selects New York as the most probable
site.
The building will be $50 feet square
and 100 stories or 1000 feet in height.
1t will be of modern fireproof construc-
ton and will be finished exactly sim
liar to the Ohio building now in course
of erection in this city. The founda-
tion, which would be pyramldal in
shape and of solid concrete, would ex-
tend to a depth of $50 feet below the
surface Of the earth and also extend so
feet beyond the extreme confines of the
structure proper. In other words, the
famous spreading" theory, from which
was worked such successful construc-
tion in the case of the famous Effiel
tower at Paris, will Ibe employed. and 1t
is in order to secure the bed rock so
requisite for satisfactory foundation
that Mr.. Gregg favors New York as a
prospective site for the structure.
The first floor supports will consist of
2O-inch z bars SO placed that a lateral
space of 10 feet will remain, while the
tiers will be 16 feet apart. The strength
and weight of the bars will be decreased
according to the height by removing
plates. The building will weigh in the
neighborhood of 22.5O0 tons. instead Of
the sway bracing bars and rods usu-
ally employed and which would be ut
terly inadequate to withstand the great
force Of the wind, special plate girder
sway bracing will be used.
To Cost S8,7sO.OOO.
The cost Of the building is estimated
at $6, $50, 900, and a force Of 1,153 men
would be required for a period Of four
years to complete 1t. OF course the
permanent derrick could not be utilized
and an elevator would have to be con-
ctructed to serve as a vehicle for the
transportation Of the material neces-
sary for the construction. Mr.. Gregg
thinks that after the Goth story was
reached many Of the workmen would
prefer to live right in the building, at
least during the week. The little cupola
on the roof was especially designed for
a photographic and signal service Of
flee, while the remainder Of the space
on top Of the building will be occupied
by a roof garden. Parachute jumps
from the garden might be introduced
as a feature.
or course the building will have all
modern improvements. and some even
more recent. Transportation will be
afforded by 10 rapid transit elevators
which will run at the rate of 300 feet
per mirute. The elevator shafts will
be spiral In form, thus making 1t impos-
sible for a car to fall any great dis
tance In case of accident. Electricity
will furnish the light and heat for the
building, as we'll as the motive power
for the elevators. A new utilization of
the magic fluid will also aid In the free
circulation Of air through the inner cor
ridors thus insuring the perfect venti-
lation Of the entire building. The build
ing will also have it's own water system.
storage tanks being placed upon every
floor. An improved form Of mail shute
will be provided. and the delivery of
mail will be facilitated by q system Of
pneumatic tubes. Other features will
be a messenger service for use in the
building. telephone exchange without
any addition to the present high rates),
and a new electric bell system for sum.
moning the janitors, porters, and other
attendants.
Meals In Their Offices.
There will be restaurant on the 99th
floor and It will be connected with
dumb walters Do that persons who de-
sire may have their meala served in
their Offices. The restaurant and bar
ber shop will be open and several of the
elevators will run all night On the
8Sth floor a number OF furnished rooms
will be arranged SO that tenants who
are "unavoidably detained by urgent
business" will not be compelled to re-
turn home unless they desire. In the
case Of the man who wishes to notify
his wife of his inability to return home
an exception to the general rule will be
made. and the general messenger boys
will be permitted to carry messages to
destinations outside the building. The
dynamos will be located In the base
ment. power being furnished by Ave 800
horse power engines In the Excelsior
building the usual order will be re-
versed, and the rent OF the rooms and
ofices near the roof will b. materially