New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-20
THE BIBLE House NAY 90.
TALK OF DISPOSING OF THE OLD BUILD
ING.

no" 1T DIFFERS FROM THE MODERN OFFICE;
sTRrcTURF-s-FEw TENANTS NOW
If the American Bible Society is successful in
obtaining good price for the building vhicn
has been its home for forty-four years and
which has become familiar to all New Yor,,crs
under the of the Bible House the old
structure will soon pass into other hands and
VIII probably be torn down to make for 4
more modern one upon the valuable site which it
possesses The treasurer said yesterday il:
speaking of the proposed change:
We are not anxious TO move and shall not
sell unless we have good offer but We have de-
cided that we should be better situated in a new
building This one is old: it lacks tn, conven-
fences which have made office work easier in TN,
last forty years. and it is ireproor 1t is
larger than need for our society's purposes
and think that when the move is made we
snail probably erect n smaller building further
uptown. ana not attempt to take in any tenants.
The Congregational Mission Boards which have
been here long as we have will move 10
the United Charities Building"
The cornerstone of the Bible House was hid
on June ~. 1872. two years before the LAYING
II the cornerstone OF Cooper Union. on the block
below. The American Bible Society moved in in
May or the next year. from its old home in Mas
sau-st The building which then had five stories
available for office purposes. was much larger
than the society required and tenants were
found at once TO hire all the supertluous room
Of these. the Congregational Mission Boards and
the Peter Cooper Fire Insurance Company are
the only ones still in the Bible House who were
there when it was first opened for occupancy
In the intervening years il has been the head
quarters OF many we'll known organizations ana
men whose names familiar to thousands
have had their offices there DR. Schauff,er of
the City Mission Society: DIR. Josiah Strong the
author of our Country; General James Grant
wilson the weli-known historical writer and edi-
tor. are among these There have been ma ..
others who were prominently identified with
philanthropic work in this city. At present the
building is about two-thirds full Of tenants The
christian Herald" and one or two other religious
papers are published there: several charities
nave their offices on the various floors. and half
4 dozen firms of architects have their names on
the directory list.
While the building has served its purpose wen
in its time. the visitor who goes through it now
will be struck at once by the difference be-
tween the ideas of half century ago and thosS
OF to-day regarding a structure for office ac
com'nodations. Perhaps the noticeable
thing in view OF the enormous value OF land to-
day. is the amount of room which is wasted ow-
ing to the plan of construction. Halls of ampI.
width and almost interminable length abound.
occupying space which might be converted into
apartments IL the architects ideas had been
more economical a wide double staircase
ascends from the street floor to the second story
From there signs direct the visitor to elevators
at the EiShth-st and Ninth sides OF the builtlA
ing. These reached only after long walking
and several turnEgs of corners and the stranger
is grateful for The frequent guideboards with
fingers indicating the direction OF the distant ele-
vators. Originally the building had five stories
and an attic. but few years ago a full sixth
story was added. There in all l:sS Offices
but this number might be duplicated many times
il modern high structure well planned ana
made To occupy the entire property were built
upon the site.
The of the Bible House was 100000 for
no II hat ia he
Third and Fourth aves. Astor Place and Ninth
stand $2Oi.OOO for the building making a total
OF $sOi.OOO. 1t is said good authority that the
selling price which the society has In mind
for the entire property is 81 100000 This l. q
large sum. even when the rise In real estate VAL
ues Is considered. and doubts arc expressed "a to
whether the desired customer viii bs immsaia4ar
" forthcoming.