New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-05
ENGLISH PRAISE FOR NEW-ToRK.
ARTISTIC TENDENCIES IN ARCHITECTURE W."
MrNrrD on IN 'THB BUILDER

ARTISTIC TENDENCIES IN ARCHITECT M ~
NrxrrD on IN '-THB BUILDER"
In to ne, issue THE Record and Guide reprints
an article entitled Notes Of New YORK "hlcn ny
peared in The Builder. LONDON p,''o"' ~
voted 10 architecture and kindred subjects '"'
writer OF these notes has much 10 say }" "''''''
lion OF this CITY lie praises the dwelling houses
o,d hotois and r. inclined 10 take hopeful view
-, ., r.,s.,c tendencies here In the course Of his
article he SAYS:
II Is obvious that, whether we IKE II or not 'nee
cities Of tn, GA WGridurhho Somewhat modi-
ned form TO make use Of this KIND OF pudlls'
r;od ant IN New-York would never have been pos
sihie IN an Old World city. IL is a building poncy
Which is not being carried out in any half hearted
w '' srosnodc manner gradually but quickly New
York is especially in the business portions. being
converted into a city of towers. .-.,o... -r,.r.
h erect YIN gTesenuy he be 81, i,nP %of1 IS a
srch Size are monstrositics. hut seeing that uti-
aSrittcI that the people Of New-l ok have by
their system Of building policy obtained not only
y,enienoe np TO the highest standard. \ system Of
elevators constantly work entirely mnimizes the
or hotels is easier and less fatguing than In many
ely goyeTmed by smaeT oynInfs - make the
va erect buildnss whch shall be- pleasing TO look
wnon This is more apparcnt I'm such buiidings as
hotels or private houses than In the blocks OF
Offices but il Is a noticeable Characteristic of the
building progress Of Ncw-Nork. This is not sur
prislng the educated American sets n higher value
art than does the average ErElishman. or. In
deed. citizen of any other country except France.
In temperament also he has 81 the feeling for
art than has the less nervOusly organized English
1t IS chiefly IN buildings that this feeling and
desire at present be best expressed Any such
expression must often be Ineffective. But there
can be no doubt that Il IS beyond the Atlantic that
Energy. wealth and a desire TO produce structures
which shall at once be useful and beautiful-large
spaces. so far as cities outside OF NcW-Nork are
concerned all these things make toward the crea-
ton OF finer architectural works than be erect
al IN IN older country Architectural individuality
In New-fOrk is. moreover. given very large field.
scope which Is noticeable especially ln regard 10
private houses. This freedom though IL necessarily
from time 10 time must result IN eccentricity. yet
affords opportunity for much larger artistic eject
than can be obtained IN the moro formal and svs-
temarc streets OF English and Continental towns.
sometimes also the contrast between the opu0s-
ing styles OF house which side by side the con-
met between different Materials red brick for
tend 10 general harmony of effect on the other
hand the obvious and often successful enloavor TO
create IN individual house pleasing 90 look upon
not one portion. as IN England OF q m0notonous
SiiIrst-ls ren4Tkaule. There IS no part Of New
YORK whore these features Of the CITY aro more
houceabie tnan IN the Riverside Park overlooking
the broad waters OF the Hudson one Of The finest
lS!vth,i aI sites which can be found on either side
OF we NHanuc Each house that H. placed on this
position diners from its ncighh0r each owner lis
enaeaVored 10 make his house worthy ~ the site
ne s,Nies OF every part Of the Ola World have
r'H 'ai'i on 10 contribute Flemish towers
henalssance ornament the sober red brick md
MH,ltr lH'lngs or the English country house And
S.rNer II IS Impossible that he should fail 10 be
fIlck WIN the strenuous effort not made hero
ahr, mere. but generally 20 erect houses which
sx Ue Il, once comfortable internally and pleasing