New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-28
SITUATION OF THE HOUSE.


The house stands on ground which was once
a part Of the most fashionable quarter OF
New-York. Business drove the old residents up
town and small shops and tenement-houses took
the places once occupied by homes. Now these
have her, RACED and a part OF New-York's
"ouality row" has been reclaimed and will again
attract attention. not because Of fashionable
functions but because Of the poor mans hotel
which looms high above the surrounding build
ings.
The first thing which attracted the attention OF
the visitors was the beautiful exterior of the
building 1t Is built of Indiana limestone and
white brick. and a massive copper roof, which IS
finished with an artistic cornice. caps the ten
story structure. over the deliberately carved
portal on the Bleecker-st side is the inscription:
MILLS HOUSE NO. L.
BY which the visitor may know that the house
Is the first Of series 70 be erected by MI Mis-
On either side of the doorway are groups or
electric lamps, and all about the front OF the
building even TO the shops which occupy the
ground floor looks neat and tidy and inviting.
Men in neat blue uniforms stood In the YES
tibuIe and directed the guests as to where 10
find the interesting features Of the building.
1t was an easy task. because there Is not any
place under the vast roof that does not attract
attention, and at every turn one sees something
which indicates the thoroughness with which the
question OF most comfort for least money has
been studied.
The house is built in two part, each In the form
OF hollow square, having courtyard reach-
ing to the top and ending In skylight' Thesc
two square buildings are connected by tower
In which are the elevators and staircases. Inc
great courts are fifty feet square. and the bright
ctn
the reflected light from the white walls give
them the appearance Of being open spaces
THE CHEEKY COURTS.
On either side OF the hall are the Offices OF the
room clerks where the guests buy their room
checks, then they may go to their rooms either
BY elevator or by the staircase. 1t Is douptiu'
II any of the guests will make the elevator "Trip
without first going up the short flight or narpe
steps which leads to the courts. All OF NIL
Millss guests found the stairway comiortao'e'
and when they reached the courts THESE loi" >
light and cheerful places, with tables ana cnaii
standing about and growing and potteo pia"''
adding TO the beauty OF the picture 'hes ca
pressed their surprise and admiration anu '"e,
belief that Mr. Mills's plans had pee" "'
chosen. Standing In one OF these courts, one con
form an idea Of the immensely OF the puiio'"e
because he is surrounded by rows OF "ihoo"'
which reach to the tenth floor and each windo"
represents a room. Of which there are ii'oie '"''
hfteen hundred in the two wings
Ordinarily rows upon rows Of windows OF equa'
size and placed In exactly the same position Oh
each floor would give a building an ins''u,
tional' appearance. but the general tone 'he w
OF lace curtain that covers each WINDOW, III,
bright light from the skylght ana the al -
comfort impaired by the lounglng chairs anu '''e
plants which are scattered about the glass moo.
rob the house Of that appearance ana h'ahe !,
IN appearance what the builder in'ehaeu :.
should be and what Ernest Flagg, the archi'ec'
s'rove 10 make it-a home'ike hotter.
But the courts were only a part OF the mouse
ana those who made the tour found 'he o'"e'
'seus Just as full Of wonders There were IVY