The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-09

OF AlIlalds WHO SdW Aiic cPt~ANAO
hall. recently described her impressions
thus: 'All the vague and shadowy antici-
pations which have been trooping through
my mind during my walk through his
toric Monument place have been changed
into the clearcut relief of realization at
sight OF this wondrously beautiful and ar
tistic bail. I understand now the objects
and significance of this organization, ana
Its harmonious relation to its great sur
rouDdings as l could not have understood
them before entering this impressive
place"
To the left of the hall is the library of
the club. a luxurious spot, indeed Here
the architectural treatment is in one OF
the old English types of wainscoting OF
sawed mahogany. with categorical ceiling
design representing the poetic conception
OF the Zodiac. and also showing Example
OF the most famous bookmarks Of history.
The furniture of this. as well as of all the
other rooms in the vast structure. was
manufactured expressly for the club by
the foremost artistic furniture company Of
New York. from designs by the author of
the articles on artistic furniture published
recently In the Century magazine.
The purpose of the promoters Of the new
building has been 10 carefully avoid stint
ing the expenditure in any part so as to
prevent il from meeting the most exacting
requirements of art AMI utility. IN conse-
quence Of rigid adherence to this intention,
the new Columbia Club stands-like the
monument-as an example Of true art for
the country and for the Greater Republic.
II has been built TO meet and satisfy not
only the needs and tastes of those who
are TO occupy it Immediately, but the aug
mented requirements in these directions Of
the people of the future.
THE MAIN STAIRWAY.
Directly opposite the entrance and to the
north of the hall rises the main stairway
from the first 70 the second floor. a novel
and highly artistic effect being obtained
by interposing a graceful arcade between
the main hall and the stairs, projecting
across the entire width of the hall. To
the left of this stairway is the entrance 10
the service corridor. members toilet room
and courtroom. Immediately beyond the
stairway is the cafe, and still farther the
billiard room, with a deep gallery on the
left, provided with luxurious divans and
comfortable chairs for lounging and quieI
conversation. This gallery overlooks both
billiard room and cafe. To the rear of the
billiard room are the cardrooms, the rear
hall and members rear entrance, with a
driveway approaching from the alley.
One of the most delightful features of
the club-not excelled in any other SINH
lar building in this country-is the beau
tiful Italian palm garden, two stories in
height, eighty fest in length and averaging
thirty feet in width, into which open the
cafe, billiard room and other apartments,
the cafe being connected with it by an ar
cade passage, with double flight of steps,
fianking a fountain so situated as to form
an effective feature of the view from the
cafe. At the southern edge of this gar
den is the restroom, which occupies the
most retired portion of the building. At
the rear. on the left side of the first floor.
f. the general service department for the
story. consisting of a service room for the
cafe. billiard room and other departments,
a service elevator running from the base
ment to the roof garden, a general store
room and packing room. with freight ele-
vator. and a rear service entrance and
corridor.
The first feature to catch the eye and en-
chain the attention and admiration Of the
visitor to the second floor is the great
banquet hall, ninety feet long and forty
feet wide. capable of seating at the banquet
board $50 people. This apartment is used
fer the regular dining-room service and
opens TO the palm garden on the right. In
the rear of this splendid hall are the whist
and chess rooms, which lead TO the back
entrance. In front of the dining room is
the main stair hall. which opens into the
salon. The latter has been provided with
rich touches. divans and easy chairs, and
will be used as the informal social meeting
room of the club. 1t. in turn. opens out
into the loggia overlooking the main en-
trance. giving a fine outlook over the Cir
Gle aud a view OF the monument-one of
the most exquisite views TO be had any
where in the world. The loggia will, on
occasions of public Importance. be used as
a vantage point from which to address
crowds assembled in the street beneath.
THE LADIES DEPARTMENT.
Along the right side of the second story
IS arranged a ladies' hall, connecting with
the elevator, the ladies' parlor, dressing
room and dining room and four private
dining rooms, the latter located convenient
1y-to secure efficient and rapid service-the
whole overlooking the garden of palms.
The greatest attention has been directed
towards the subject of providing ample and
attractive accommodations for the women
guests of the club. This department is
thrown open from 9 o'clock in the morn
irg until !. o'clock at night, and maids. are
constantly in attendance.
A noticeable convenience in the arrange
ment of this plan is the number and adj
mirable location of the rooms available as
private dining rooms both for men and
women, and also for men only-a feature
likely TO prove extremely serviceable in the
needs of the club.
The third and fourth stories are given TO
the accommodation and arrangement: for
sleeping apartments. On each floor are
fifteen bedrooms and nine bathrooms, to-
gether Will a public bath equipped with a
tub and two shower baths. The sleeping
rooms are especially for the nonresident
members and for the uses OF resident men,
bers as may be arranged. They are so
adapted as TO be able to be utilized singly
or ensuite. as the wish of the member may
dictate.
The fifth story is devoted exclusively to
a large assembly hall. with completely