The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-11-06
COMPLETION OF THE ARCADE.
The Only Tw0-StOry Structure OF It's
Kind I'm the Country.

The Pembroke Arcade is rapidly receiv-
Ing its finishing touches and will be ready
Tor the tenants to take possession by the
middle OF next week. The plate glass, of
which there is an immense quantity, is
about all in and now the work that re-
mains is mostly the final decorations which
could not be completed until the dust OF
carpentry work cleared away. When this
work is completed Indianapolis will enjoy
the distinction of being the only city, SO
far as known. in the world that has a
two-story arcade. This feature of the
building is a thing that is entirely new
here and elsewhere and a feature that has
attracted a great deal OF attention. BY
this it is not meant that this is the only
arcade that is located in a building that is
more than one story high, for such is not
the case, but it is meant that this is the
only one in which the arcade feature ex-
tends to more than the first floor.
There are twenty-eight apartments in
the building, each one comprising a cellar,
first, or business floor, and a room above
which may be used as a work shop or an
additional salesroom. Private s~tairways
many of these rooms are already rented
and one has been occupied for more than
ants are now putting in their furniture,
preparatory to opening their business as
soon as the building can be thrown open
to the public.
II artistic design the building is the most
beautiful in the city. Its general features
of architecture are new to public buildings
here. The two fronts, one on Virginia
venue and the other on Washington street,
are of brown terra Gotta, trimmed in
bronze. An immense arch forms the front
in each instance. This arch reminds one
very much of the east entrance to the
transportation building at the worlds fair.
1t is formed by a perfect half circle OF
terra Gotta supported by heavy steel beams.
This is surmounted by a bronze and gilt
crest, setting off the arches in an attrac-
mense art glass windo representing in
dustry and commerce, while. beneath the
window are the doors that viii be III place
during the cold months and be removed
during the heat OF the summer, thus per-
hitting a person TO spend an entire morn
ing indoors shopping. The inside Of the
building presents two solid sides or plate
glass, supported by slender bronze pillars
Each apartment has a plate glass 'front.',
thereby admitting as much light as other
rooms located directly on the street. With
in the arcade the light comes from the
large arch of glass overhead. The finish
Of the entire building is most elaborate,
nothing being spared that Will add to Its
| attracfiyeness and make it a place that
will be frequented by shoppers.
The twenty-eight apartments Will contain
a varied assortment of shops. There will
be a ticket office for all of the Dickson &
Talbot theaters, a flower booth, notion
stores. a soda fountain, 1eWelry, contec-
tionery, a tailor shop, and numerous otners
at which almost anything, except heavy
groceries and dry goods can be bought;
There will also be a saloon, but this Will
not be in the arcade. II will be located on
Virginia avenue and the entrance Will be
outside of the arcade proper.