New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-30
tent even wood nnishings have given way 70

tent even wood hnishngs. nave B've" W.
STEEL iron, glass and nreproof materials IN III
most every detail. The solid brick OF the o'"e'
day Is replaced by the light and hollow suoo'''
tute, and inner walls OF porous terra GOTTA arc
found safer lighter and more beautiful ina"
wood. Stone fnshings give the appearance OF
exterior sol!dity. but in a great many OF '"o
modern buildings that Is about the only runct'on
that stone fills above the foundation plan.
well-known architect says. however on TINS
point that there is a reaction apparent In the
direction of more liberal Of stone. not only
to give apparent but real massiveness ana
soliditv.
Where the oldtime builder got his materials
almost wholly from the quarry. the lumber YARD
and the kiln the material for the modern build
ings comes from almost innumerable productive
arts The steel and iron manufacturer. the
founder Of brass and bronze. the metal-workers
scuptors the producers Of ornamental glass OF
finely wrought moudngs and decorations OF al
most every kind and material Of cornices ana
devices in copper and steel and marble ana Sill
ver OF all the wealth Of electrical invention ana
development and power. OF steam and hydrauHc
forces Of engines and engneering-all these ana
more have to be added to the oldtime simple
problem of stone and wood and brick in the
planning and executing Of a modern New-forK
building-a city in itself with its perpendicular
railroad system, its electrical and steam plants
for heating lighting. communication and power,
and all the necessities for practically inde-
pendent existence.
Architectural critics have. Of course. MADE
much of the incongruities that are not lacking
in lower New-York, but with the aesthetic phase
Of the question 1.-The trinities and unities OF
art. this writing has nothing to do. further than
to quote the remark Of a well-known architect
made in answer to the writer's query: New
York as TO it's architecture. artisticaly consid-
cred, need fear comparison in the New W orio.
or course, the sudden development OF ioity
buildings produced some architectural niSnt-
Mares some buildings the miscellany or wnich
in architectural style IS Objectionable. but tnere
has been rapid Improvement in thls ana the
majority of great new buildings are really beau-
tiful-having the beauty Of art as well as the
beauty of utility. 1t must be remembered that
the great commercial buildings are business
ventures. and the artistic side must be supordi-
mated TO the commercial necessities; put the
new architecture is finding the way to subserve
the practical purposes and keep well within the.
artistic proprieies at the same time
All must agree tha', With few exceptions,
NETWORKS great commercial structures are
pleasing to the eye-impressve and maSnn-
cent. both from the intellectual! and the purely
practical point of view But in these the prac-
teal ends must always dominate. The build
ings built primarily to provide room Tor
commercial purposes with perfect Light heat
3,
service and general convenience. And in these
respects the modern New-York office building
seems practically perfect
The advantages Of these buildings for bust
ness purposes are. of course, patent With the
buildings have come new methods OF ad-
ministraton and service In the old days every
tenant had to do with the janitor. and. after the
rent paid. mot the half was told. There
were gas, heat and all the essentials to be sepa-
ratey arranged for Now the rent includes
everything. and the service comprehends every
Cora &c IN n7nct M
buildings by fire service on each moor. Inc
local. apparatus. always at hand in every part
Of these great buildings. precludes a local flre
getting dangerous Roadway. The buildings
have a practical police service Of their own
have their telegraph and telephone ana
messenger services. restaurants SHOP etc; gnu
to all necessary purposes each is an ihoe-
pendent community in itself. They arc Clean
roomy. fresh and perfect in light and ventiia-
ton, and the great perfection reached III eie-
vatOr construction has done much 10 eduallZe
in value and desirability and convenience the
floors way up near the clouds with those
within walking distance" Of terra firma Many
Of the most modern elevators attain speed
exceeding $50 feet minute. but run so smooth
" and are under such perfect control that
there is neither shock nor jar nor other unpieas
ant sensation in ascensions, descents or stops.
The business man nowadays In lower New
York need not accommodate himself to the
hours but may make all the hours his own
With buildings open every hour OF tne year, anu
open in respect to every convenience-elevators
light heat etc-the modern mar or aHalrs IN
New-York has distinct advantage over his
father who had to leave the office when the
janitor got ready to loca up. and might only
come back when the janitor got ready to open
up" and fire up" The modern building gives
its tenant its full use every hour OF the TWEEN
ty-four. ,.,
As to rentals the prediction that the multi.
plication of those many-storied commercial
buildings would bring rents down has not come
true in any sweeping sense. though IL IS true
that the tenant to-day downtown gets equal
space and much better accommodation ana SER
vice than he formerly did for about the same
price At the same time. ground values nave
increased for 100 feet square OF ground that can
yaluab BILE than when 1t could not accommodate
half the number. Thus, beyond their own value,
the great modern buildings have added material
" to the wealth of the city. These new office
buildings taking several examples in the Wall
Street district as a basis. have from many as
700 down to- say, 200 offices, and their tenants
and their employees range from 800 to possibly
5000 in number. Taking one building in that
locality as a type. the following general data
express the idea in approximate figures 1t
occupies a ground space 100 feet square. hav
ing eighteen stories 1t cost about 81 .25O.OOO
and is divided into about 400 offices. above the
bank floor" The floor space per square foot
rents for from as much as SD per year on the
bottom floor TO 81 for III" least desirable offices.
and tho Offices from the third floor up roughly
average rental Of Si0p per year Such a build
inC is ox0ected to return - irs proprietors
rental o. from 500 Gfn 10 S2.tbOp0 nor year
The c'arce in the style Of construction and in
the materials used and more particularly the
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