The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-21
Work Will Begin Soon on
First SkysCraper.
NEW BUILDING A
SPLENDID STRUCTURE
It's to Be the Homo Of the
American National Bank.
1T WILL BE EIGHT
STORIES IN HEIGHT
The Cost VIII Be Not Lose than Ono
Hundred and Sixty Thousand Dol.
Iars-Tho Building Deslgned
Especially for offlccs-Its
Architecture viii 30 Of
New Style.

Tho erection OF Richmond's first sky
scraper is a notable event. It speaks
we'll for the city that 1t is to be bank
building, and not only 30, but the home
OF the youngest OF tho national banks
of the city. 1t is proof positive Of the fl
nancial growth and Importance OF Rich
mond. ~.
This splendid structure Is to stand at
the southeast corner of Main and Tenth
Streets, and Is TO be owned by the Amer
lean National Bank. It LIS 10 be a COM
bined bank and Office building, and Is the
first modern structure which is designed
specially for offices. The architects are
0iessrs. Wyatt and Noting, OF Balti-,
more, while the contract for the erec-
tIon OF the structure has been let TO
firm OF Philadelphia. The cost OF the
building completed will not bo less than.
$4,000 and eight full stories It will rise
above Main, and nine stories above the
alley In the rear.
A Modern Type.
This building represents q type OF office
building which has developed IN the last
few years. and in which effort Is made
to give to the exterior straightforward,
simple expression OF the materials used,
emitting to great extent projections OF
all kinds, and without any attempt TO
carry architectural ornamentat!on or en-
bellishment throughout It's entire height,
Z wla.ahy ftkeme gives the impression OF
4 seyeral buildings being 81 t,srirnposed one
on the other. and suggests tina; the de-
sign could have been stopped at any
intermediate story Of its the!ght, and be
ii no way a less incomplete whole.
Because OF the narrowness OF the lot.
and It's depth. 1t was determined in this
building TO make the exterior shaft OF
simple brick. starting on base OF gran
.te and extending without break TO a
slight cove, liz feet above the pavement,
which. with a parapet six feet high.
forms the crownng feature; the windows
to be well located, simple openings in
the brick wall, conveniently placed IN
the Offices.
TO offset what would perhaps be con-
s!dered excessive plainness, the main en-
trance to the building. which Is an arched
opening s feet wide by 2o1a feet high,
has been surrounded by rich renais-
Eance door finish OF Indiana Limestone,
making a feature 10 feet wide by 261s
high, richly ornamented. with rusticatel
columns. cornices. modilions and carv-
ing. To make this entrance more attrac-
tive. this rich stonework has been car
rIed into the vestibule. and an elaborate
iron grille has been placed In the open
Ing, giving an opportunity for utilizing
Tho name OF IHsi StIltl tlses
can eagle Indicative of the name Of tho
bank) as ornamental features
Light, Warm Buff.
THE brick and limestone OF the building
will be of the same color, a light, warm
huff, and the effect of the building, with
its rich doorway, should be very attrac-
tive, and suggestive OF the Office building.
as distinct from the store or apartment
house.
The interior has been carefully ar
ranged to meet the double purpose for
which the building was designed. On
entering through the main doorway, one
comes into the outer vestibule. lined with
stone. with window on each side. the
pne to the left lighting the elevator the
me to the right lighting the staircase
which leads to the safe deposit depart-
ment below. Passing through the main
door, ono enters the inner Yestibule; 10
the left being the elevator and staircase
leading to the upper stories; TO the right
the staircase leading to the safe deposit
department; and directly opposite is the
entrance doorway to the bank.
,rhe interior of the bank Is arranged
m simple, but rather unique, lines, the
nfI1ces for the president. cashier, bureau OF
information. savings department. tehers,
and lady customers room belnE sroupsu
around a, central lobby, and being the
nnly rooms that can be approached from
tha' nblic space, the working space for
fhe olerk. being placed behind the vault,
and out of view of the public, communl-
cation with the working force peing
through the bureau of information.
TO the rear of the bank, and IN the
Mezzanine story, Is the directors room,
approached from the bank by an orna-
mental metal staircase.
Where Money Is Kept.
In the basement of the building, APP
preached by the elevator and staircase
before mentioned. is the safe deposit
department, which corresponds In posi-
tion with the banking room OF the floor
above and which will be conveniently
arranged for the business to be carried
on.
The seven upper floors are devoted to
Office purposes, and are reached not only
by the elevator and staircase in the front
nart of the building, but also by a side
entrance on Tenth Street, leading to tho
second elevator and to a staircase run-
ming from the sub-basement to the top
story
The side entrance and elevator are pri-
marily arranged for the convenience OF
the moving of tenants In and out. and de-
livery of express and other heavy pack
ages. This elevator Is TO be SO arranged
that. should the main elevator be dis
abled by accident, 1t will be used for
passengers also.
On each floor there will be 12 offices,
ths smaller being 10 feet by II feet. and
the larger Is feet by IS feet, so arranged
that they can be used as single offices
lcontinued on Second Page.l