Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-07-29
THE CONTEMPLATED IMPROVE
NIEN'HS

ne lrGinian-Pilot representative in
TINS CITY, knowing the anxiety Of the
people OF Portsmouth to know whether
the improvements that have been men,
toned would be made to Hotel Ports
mouth and the doubts that have been
expressed in regard to the same,
yesterday visited Mr.. d. Lowenberg
at his Office in the Columbia building. In
Norfolk, and introduced himself to that
gentleman who met him with Il hearty
snake of the hand and Il pleasant smile.
Ihe conversation was opened by the
scribe.
Mr.. Lowcnbcrg. the people in my
city are anxious TO know if you are
really going to remodel the Hotel Ports
mouth. and. if so. about when will the
improvements be commenced and what
Will they consist off"
To this he replied:
My dear fellow. you can assure your
people that we certainly intend to do
an that has been said that we would
90. ana even more; but we have not
been in position to do anything yet.
the property not having been transfer
rcd to us. We had hoped to begin July
LIST. but MIR. Hayes. MIR Newgass' rep
resentativc. has been absent from the
CITY Tor some tine. and others connected
with the deal have also been absent.
consequently the delay but Mr.. Alfred
i i'iii ~ = tNtTNtUit.i, GcIQY ana inc
transfer will be mnde and we will take
possession August LIST. Work will be
commenced i'll Il few days afterwards
We have all our bids in and are ready
to award the contract. but have been
waiting for tho transfer"
Mr.. Lowonbcrg. what changes do
YOU contemplate in the High street APP
pearance of tho building?"
on. my dear sir; come. let me show
you"
We were then carried into tho draw
ing room. where all the plans were and
n large picture Of the building just as
II viii look on Sigh street and or
Court was shown us
The building will be almost entirely
new when completed. The windows Will
an be taken out and will be arched
IN etch corner and i'll the center will
ne large circular or bay windows from
the frs; floor above the stores to the
NUN story. Another story Will he built
10 the present building. There will be
a large roiunda bull; from the ground
upor ON High street to the roof. in the
store whore Rur' drug store now is all
the buildings in the rear viii be pulled
Gown and the entrance to The thcater
VIII be nitod ~; in iirs;-cass style. In
nc yard there will be a glass palm sa-
loon Tor ladies and guess where re-
ircShmonts and cream viii be served
This saloon will be fitted up in the
most elaborate and tasteful manncr.
| ne SIDE OF tho building in Court street
VIII be taken out and modern front
similar To the Monticello will be pu, In
w mere tho old onc-Story Offices now
stand VIII y" bun. up five stories high
II VIII be used exclusively fer chambers
Thc entire door over the stores in the
old part Will he used as offices. gentle
mems and ladies rarlors and reception
rooms which will he furnished in the
most modern style. The building will
hc throughout heated by steam Will
nave an elevator. ANA will be lighted by
npih gas and cleo triciiy. ana will be ono
81 the most modern buildings in the
south. il will have 20 bed chambers
winch viii be light ana airy. we'll light
90 and ventilated. The interior Of tho
blildinS VIII he very much after the
Monticello; in fact. II will he building
thHt Portsmouth people VIII look TO
with pride and one thar any city might
feel proud Of
Mr. lcwcnberg do YOU think il will
pay on tho Stnrt?"
Pay. my dear man? yes. | consider
III the best investment have made re-
Gently. | wanted some of your Ports
NOUN capitalists 10 go with me-
showed thcm how il would pav but
tn"y We're slow 10 move. except one or
TWO. ] did not want outside capital To
az" charge buj had to do it, | am so
inuch impressed with the fact that it is
u Spiordid investment that If could
'''' 80. t~'AA'-tl btll"IS interested
would have gone into it all alone and it
WIZ not he long before they will see II
as do and VIII regret IT,"
VIII there be any changes made in
The stores Mir Lowenbcrc? \ number
oi inc tenants are anxious to find out"
Yes, sir; the front will All be made
IN Keeping with the other part of the
building. The stores viii he heeponed
ABOUT ~ feet or more. Did you not no
nee now they looked in the picture you
Anc.ha=Ia ol, vra. als.an- at the nic.nrn
ana one could but help noticing what
changc there Will be when the building
IS completed. The stores will compare
iavorably with those in any city.
1T viii be the finest building in your
CITY. with a steam elevator. The offices
VIII all be lighted and heated. and IL
will take your people but a short while
10 learn that where all the Offices are
concentrated that it IS better for them.
n man cannot in these times snend an
hour or so running from one office to
an1ther IN Inherent parts of the town
looking for people he wants, when. if
they were all in one or two buildings he
could transact his business in n few
minutes. We had trouble in Norfolk
teaching people this fact. Now they pre-
Ter IT, and find that ii is more to their
"ovaniage. and so will Your people"
MIR. Lowcnberg. what about tho
theatcrE VIII il be ready for occupancy
by the time for the theatrical season
Is open? and what kind of plays will
you have there"
We will commence work on the Iv
ceum Uor that will be its name) on
Tuesday or Wednesday. and will have
1t completed by October LIST. when Mr..
Wells VIII take charge. He has rented
IL Tor one year and will run n frst-class
vaudeville show. When 1 say first class
! mean such a show as no lady. no mat
ter how fastidious she may be. would
hesitate to attend. The best theaters i'm