New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-24

DID READING ROOMS AND PARDOHs.
while the fashionable world is looking forward
70 the opening Of the Astoria part OF the wal
dorr- Astoria Hotel with great interest, another
stratum Of society H. watching the progress oi
ootI in llee,kcr-st.. the opening of which VIII
mark "A new era in the housing OF men In MOI
crate circumstances. Many attempts have been
made i'm that r,cton. but in nearly every IN
stance the buildings have either been 20 ar
ranged that they did not attract desirhD'e
class II people or tie architecture. decoration
or lack - decoration-or general effect was such
as to give the house an insitution-hke appear
ancc with no scmblance Of refinement, comfort
or home
H. .. Mills. the hude' ard owner OF the
new no, l. which will be known as Miils House
No l. gave the subject long and careful study
before h. began building tho hotel and spared
neither time nor expense in making the struct-
urc ~ complete and as nearly perfect as pos
sib,c. The Lord Eowdcn houses in London were
used as models TO certain extent but even
these have been improved upon; their weak
points have been avoided. while some OF the best
features have been adopted. but. taken az
wh0ie the Mills House is unique.
\ clean. cofnf,rta room. furnished with
wen-appointcd bed. the floor carpeted and the
Windows curtaIned and shaded for 20 cents a
night is only one Of the features OF the great
building. which IL arranged to Accommodate In
It's ton stories fifteen hundred guests. Well
equipped lavatores shower baths and luxurious
reading and smoking rooms are AT the disposal
of the guests Of the house without extra charge.
and A good restaurant will furnish meals Al
rates in keeping With lodging charges Although
everything rooms, meals. and other accomrno-
dations-will be furnished at exceedingly low
prices none Of those who patronize the place
need feel that they enjoy charity, FOR Mr..
Mills wishes it distinctly understood that In
building the house he simply desires to give to
those who will patronize II the greatest value
for their money and he believes that even at the
lou prices which will be charged the house will
not only be scf-surpor,ing. but will ultimately
yield revenue.
TRAMPs NOT TO BE ENTERTAINED.
The lodging houses in the lower part Of New
York will not suffer by the opening Of the Mills
House, because the class Of men who frequent
them will not be entertained there. and will not
be allowed to contaminate the atmosphere OF the
place John l.. Thomas. the superintendent OF
the house said: ''rhc broad halls. lofty rotun-
das bright light and scrupulous cleanliness of
the place will attract good people. and will do
much toward keeping out buns tramps and
the Objectionable people. who are more comfort
able in Bowery lodging houses"
The main front Of the Mills House takes up
two hundred feet In Blecckcr-st.. and the build
Ing extends back one hundred feet. with artistic
fronts on Sullivan and Thompson ss. Its ten
stories capped with massive metal cornicc.
dominate that part Of busy New-York. and the
structure when complete viii be the beauty spot
Of that locality.
and n orrh
tect. Ernest Fiagg. to make the house bright and
cheerful and the idea has been carried out even
In the exterior. which Is Of white brick and Indi
ana limestone. The main entrance is on the
BIeecker-st. side through an ornamental portal
which extends to the second story and hears the
Inscription mills House No. l." companion
building built on the same general plan and
furnished and arranged exactly like the
BIeecker-st house, is In course Of erection at
Rivington AMI Clinton SITS. This house, when
completed, will be known az Mills House No =
The ground floor Of the Blocker st houGc II
occupied by stores. and the guests or the hotel
will have an opportunity to do some or their
Shopping without leaving the building. Although
the exterior Of the building Is Imposing and
beautiful no adequate idea OF the place can be
gained without examining the inner part OF the
structure The entrance leads into a spacious
vostibulc which is finished In marble laid with
a concrete noor and brilliantly lighted by cleo
trio lights in artistic settings. ON either side OF
the vestibule are the Offices of the room clerks.
AT these Offices the guests will receive their
room tickets. and the fact that the fifteen hun
drcd rooms. situated on nine floors are all alike
Will make their task comparatively easy.
PLAN or THE HOUSE.
The house is butt in two parts. each in the
form nf hnI with two YARDS