New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-11
OLYMPIA HAS AN OWNER.
HE is HENRY B. SIRE OF THE BIJoU.
TIE BIO AMUSEMENT BUILDING SOLD TO FlM
AND HIS BROTHER-sOME OF THE
POSSIBLE TENANTS.

1t Is possible at last to leave rurnor and sur
mise out Of the question and to assert positively
that Olympia. the big amusement building
which oscar Hammersten built and lost. has
been sold by the New-York Life Insurance Com
pnny and IS likely some time 10 be again open
to the public II WAS announced in these col
unlns day or two ago that Henry p. sire, the
proprietor OF the Bi1ou Theatre, was likely TO
he the buyer Of the property. and this prediction
now proves 70 be correct. Up TO yesterday
afternoon everybody connected with the affair
either denied that Nj Sire likely 70 buy
Olympia or else refused TO answer any questions
the subject
Last evening however Mr.. Sire made the fol-
lowing statement: Tt is true shat my brother
VI l.. Sire and have purchased the Olympia
property Of the New-York Life Insurance Com
pany The amount involved IN the transaction
is considerably over 81 600 900 1t is our inten-
tion 10 reGecorate and refurnish the building
and to begin the work .mmediately-at least as
soon estimates are reached and contracts are
made. AS far as lessees are concerned, there are
none as yet We are negotiating with several
managers Among them are Daniel Frohman
George W Lederer. Mr.. Mcclellan and others
Note that I say and others The Olympia
properly IS at present gloomy and desolate-
looking place internally. II has been stripped Of
all rs furniture. stage effects. draperies and
incidental fixtures from steam boilers 70 door
checks All these articles will soon be replaced
Oh a scale much more elaborate than before.
"Regardinr the name Of the building. I an,
not positive but it is probable that we shall
soon determine upon another name. The ex-
terror of the property Will remain the same as
now. until the interior is redecorated and com
La1 AS q c
complished. together with the rehtrng Of the
capacious summer and winter roof garden. We
shall turn our attention 10 exterior alterations
John A. Mccall president Of the New York
Life Insurance Company. which. the plaintif
in foreclosure proceedings. came into possession
Of Olympia last spring, said yesterday that ne
eotiations for the transfer of the property to
the new owners We're practically complete The
consideration in the transaction. he SAID, was
more than S1OO00c0. and considerably more
than the company's mortgage claim.
In regard TO the likelihood Of Daniel Froh
man taking the Lyric Theatre Mr. Frohman
said last nieht that he wanted the theatre, pro-
vided the changes which would be necessary
to ft it for his use could be made These would
be- elaborate and expensive He was led 70 de-
sire the Lyric Mr.. Frohman said because ~
the great success Of "Treawny OF the Wells
ar the LVceum. which made i unlikely that
hc could find time there this season for kupeI
o. HentZau' and for an Their play when ne
wished 10 produce. NegOuations were. however
in nothing like a state Of completion.
one Of the changes which Mr.. Frohman thinks
necessary is the entire separation Of the theatre
from the music hall. and this is a part OF Mr.
Sres plan whether Mr.. Frohman takes the
theatre or not Other extensive alterations Will
he made in the building. place may be found
In the front for three small stores. The
concert hal is also an elephant on the hands of
the new owners. Some disposition must he
fcund for this. l. is likely hat the music hall
VIII be conducted by George ". Lederer. the
manager OF The Casino M Lederer's partner.
Al~. Mcclellan. is mentioned in the statement
from Mr. S.r4 which has been quoted as on"
who might have something 10 Go with the build
Ing bur MI Mcclellan said last night that he
expected 20 have nothing 20 d. with H.
tlrhough Mr. Sire would not make any state
rsrt for publication a. 10 the price paid for the
property. except thai II was something more
fnar - OOOnvp n IS understood that only
small part of the price was paid In cash. and
that NIr Sire gives the insurance company a
MORTGAGE f1r the greater part ~ the amount.