The San Francisco call., 1897-12-19

The most beautiful and conspicuous
building in San Francisco and the larg-
est west of Chicago is undeniably the
Claus Spreckels building. Rearing its
stately height far above its fellows into
the sky ii is a monument of archi-
tecturaI and mechanical skill whose
beauties are daily the admiration of
countless visitors to the city. Lo-
Gated as it is at the corner of Third
and Market streets, in the very heart
oil the business portion of the city, it
occupies site which renders its dome
visible for miles. 1t is the first object
that attracts the eye as one crosses the
bay toward San Francisco; from the
summit of every hill as one views the
city, 1t rivets the attention of the spec
tatOr, reminding him forcibly of the
story of the giant holding an army of
pigmies at bay; as far as the eye can
reach along Market, Kearny and Third
streets, the classic outlines of this Su-
peru editice are constantly in view,
charming all by their grandeur and i'm
pressing all by their stateliness. Con-
structed in manner to insure perma-
nence as well as solidity, the Claus
Spreckels building will be to future
generations an admirable specimen of
private enterprise displayed by one
man who has not only done much to
beautify and enrich the city, but
whose faith in the future greatness of
san Francisco is a firm conviction,
strong as life itself.
The erection of this great building,
commenced some eighteen months ago,
was stimulus to the building trades in
= E,r1r
manipulation of the enormous amount
of material required in its construction
necessitated the expenditure of vast
sums of money for labor and in this
respect the benefits We're enjoyed by
thousands of deserving mechanics.
That this outlay was not without its
corresponding benefits, a single glance
at the building will demonstrate. Fin
ished in magnificent style, and sup
piled with all the appliances known to
the building science, it is the most COM
plete office building in the United
States.
The frame of the building being en-
tirely of steel, the partitions of terra
Gotta fire-proof material the floors fill
ed with concrete, the walls covered
with fire proof lathing for plaster it is
thoroughly non-combustible. The foun-
dation being of solid masonry and
heavy iron beams laid at a great depth
below the surface, with the structure
above braced in a thoroughly scientific
and practical manner, the Claus
SpreckeIs building is proof against the
common terrOr-earthQuake. Having
a total weight of 72, 600, 900 pounds, with
a height of 315 feet, this marvellous
structure will defy any of the ordinary
manifestations of i'll nature on the part
of the elements.
The building has eighteen floors,
which are devoted to office purposes.
In the construction every device known
to science has been applied in perfect
ing the plumbing and sanitary condi-
tion of the building. Every office is
provided with independent artificial
ventilation, thus insuring a continuous
current of fresh air. All offices have
an outward exposure and are all light
and sunny. The offices are lighted by
incandescent electric lights and heat
is furnished by a direct and indirect
current of steam. The finish of each
room is elaborate, the cornices in each
being of ornamental stucco, with the
walls handsomely freScoed in soft,
pleasant colors. The flooring is of pol
ished hardwood, while the finish is of
highly polished, quartered oak. Each
alternating Office contains a steel safe,
and all offices are provided with a Law
atory and coat closet. In every respect
the Offices in this building are unequal
ed in any other building in the city
The Market street entrance to the
building is exceedingly handsome. The
immense sculptured columns that rise
on either side are massive and beauti-
full The ceiling is of paneled marble
and the floor of the rotunda is of mo-
sale with a circular design in colors
bearing the monogram &C. s." To the
left is the entrance to the business Of
flee of The Morning Call, while to the
right is located the Columbian Bank.
On entering the corridor with it's floor
of mosaic, one is confronted by the
griIIes inclOsing the three elevators.
From this point any floor in the build
ing may be reached within one minute s
time. The halls on all floors are fin
fshed in marble, with frescoed ceilings.
The finish of all floors throughout the
building is uniform and of the very
best.
A few figures relating to the mate
rials in the structure may be of inter-
est The weight of the concrete in the
foundation is 24S5 tons. Total amount
of steel used 5,416,000 pounds. Height
Of building to base of dome 243 feet,
which, with the height of dome, Y feet,
makes the total height S15 feet.
Herewith is given a detailed account
Of the operations of the various con-
tractors who assisted in the erection
of this great structure. 1t will be of
interest to the general reader who
seeks to know the details of the great
est architectural and mechanical