New-York tribune., 1900-09-30
THE STORY OF A MODEL HOUSE.
WHERE APARTMENT ARCHITECTURE
HAS REACHED THE ACME OF PER-
Feet CONSTRUCTION.

The great improvements that have been made
In the last year or two In the construction OF
high class apartment houses form one or tne
most interesting developments or modern arSnl-
lecture. 1t is only within recent times tnal
architects have made special study OF tnis
branch of their profession. and. unless some un-
looked for innovations are forthcoming IN the
skyscraper type Of building il would seem that
further improvements could be discovered
than have been adopted in several OF the most
recently completed buildings the West Side
Among these the MelrOse, at the northwest cor
ner OF Central Park West and One-hundred-and-
eighth-st., is perhaps the most noteworthy ex-
ample. Exteriorly the MelrOse Is one or the
most ornate buildings Central Park West
while the arrangement OF the various apart
ments and the numerous conveniences that have
been introduced are conceded TO reach a point
Of perfection not surpassed by any Of the
buildings the West Side. The MelrOse, con-
sists practically of two separate buildings. with
entrances on Central Park West and One-hun-
dred-and-eighth-st. respectively. In the corner
house there are three apartment suites on each
floor, containing seven and eight rooms. besides
the bath. while the house facing the Park has
two apartments Of seven rooms and bath
each floor. All the rooms are large and de-
vised that each window has direct exposure to
light and air. insUring perfect ventilation TO
every part Of the apartment.
A very important matter, and one that Is so
much neglected by architects. is the closet room
In an apartment. In the case of the Melrose
this has been made of the paramount feat
ures, yet space for closets has been so devised
as not TO spoil the appearance Of the rooms
Indeed so much stress has been laid by the
architect on closet space that he has succeeded
In providing the same TO amount almost
equalling that of frst-class private house. An
other attractive feature is ladies' dressing
room. with beveled pier mirrors set in the panels
or the doors and numerous drawers and little
closets. This dressing room IS located between
the bedrooms of each apartment.
So many innovations have been introduced
In the general scheme Of 'cOnveniences'' that IL
is impossible to give more than a passing men
tton to them The buffers paIltTies contain a
new kind of patent refrigerator. which is cooled
oy a cold storage system from the basement.
thus doing away with the use Of ice. Sanitary
garbage closets are set in the kitchen walls
ventilated from the outside. and closed with air
and walls. and are furnished with large porce-
lain lined tubs nickel fittings and open plumb
ing. long distance telephone is placed in each
apartment. a United States letter chute plate
glass windows open freplaces with gas logs.
messenger call boxes, gas ranges. gas and elec-
trio light fixtures. general laundry with patent
steam dryers in the basement, besides roof dry
ing facilities. separate servants toilets hot and
| cold water. storage and bicycle room etc. are
among the numerous features designed to add to
| the comfort and convenience of the occupants OF
the Melrose.
The decorations and woodwork are OF the
| are trimmed in rich antique mahogany, while
| the dining rooms are finished in forest green
oak. All the bedrooms, dressing rooms and
/ bathrooms done in white enamel and by
| way OF providing for a common feminine weak
ness long French plate mirrors have been fitted
| in the panels of several bedroom doors
The steam radiators in all the rooms are
recessed under the windows. thus adding ma
| terially to the wall space Of the rooms
| The management Of the Melrose prides itself
| on the character of its service and the general
| ionable livery attend the hall and elevator day
| and night
| Unlike the majority Of apartment houses ths
Melrose Is not conducted for speculative pur-
| to make of it a home for refined and exclusive
| families.