The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-11-20
BIG SKYSCRAPER.
One Will Be Built at Ninth and
Kansas Avenue.
A. g. Lewis Buys Deylin Lot for
$4,000.
PLANS BIG BUILDING.
Will Be Either Six or Eight
Stories High.
Department Store to Occupy
Four Floors.
FRONT KANSAS AVENUE
VIII Be One Hundred Feet in
Width.
Steel Construction Is to Be Used
Throughout.
'RONT KANSAS AVENUE
VIII Be One Hundred Feet in
Width.
Steel Construction Is to Be Used
Throughout.

Topeka's first skyscraper of steel
construction will be erected at the
southwest corner of Ninth and Kansas
avenue provided the trustees of the
Devlin estate accept the bid of A G.
Lewis of $500 for the corner lot.
Bids were opened today for the sale
of the Topeka property held by the
trustees and the most active bidding
took place over contest to secure
possession of the lot. the back of which
is occupied by the former offices of the
Mount Carmel coal building, now the
Office of the trustees, five bidding with
$4,000 as the lowest bid.
As the bid of A. G. Lewis is the high
est by $500, there is small question
but what the lot will go to him.
The proposed building will be at least
six stories high and probably eight
Mr.. Lewis owns the three lots adJOln-
ing and to the south of the corner lot
and the new building will cover this
entire area 100 feet frontage on KAN
sas avenue and extending $50 feet to
the alley.
Il didn't know whether would get
a hold of that lot or not" said Mr..
Lewis land so my plans are still in
condition where 1 don't know what
can be said. 1 simply have planned in
a general way and as to whether the
building will be six or eight stories
i
ever be at least six stories because
large department store has spoken for
and wants four stories of the new
building.
1T will be built Of the best material
and steel construction because when
you build a building of that kind you
don't build it for a short While but you
want it to last
There won't be any difficulty in dis
posing of any offices that may be left
over after the department store takes
UP the four stories, for you know as
well as / do the famine that exist IN
Topeka for suitable offices.
II have put my own money into TINS
and two or three other gentlemen are
with me- However, it is no syndicate
nor is the Arkansas Valley Town and
Site company of which / am the presi-
dent, interested in 1t.
and YOU can rest assured that the new
building is going to be a good large
one. II get the lot as I suppose l
shall. having the highest bid, we will
commence work on construction the
first thing next spring. we cant ger
started too soon."
"The corner is one of the most val-
liable in Topeka as a vacant building
lot" said Cyrus Leland. one OF the
trustees. 1--WE placed valuation on II
of S11, 900 and the bids that we re-
ceiyed are gratifying. James T. Brad
lev. receiver of the First National
wished to sell the lot for $4,000 some
time ago but we wouldn't consent, be-
lieving that we would get more.
"An award will be made on the bids
when Mr. James E Hurley, the other
trustee is here. I don't want to take
the sole responsibility upon myself
The lot is free from incumbrance.
But one bid was received for the Dew
lin building at 7o2 Kansas avenue, the
building is four stories high of pressed
brick The bid was $4,000. The valua-
ton placed on it is $42. 500 with an in
cumbrance of 81. 2.493. This bid will be
rejected as the property now brings
good returns on valuation of $4,000.
The remaining piece of property, three
lots and a dwelling on Tyler street was
valued at 81, 500 and the highest bid 81
OOO the sale will probably be made at
that figure.
The following is a list of the bids re-
ceived by the trustees of the Devlin
recently advertised for sale:
For lot 2S9 Kansas avenue, with build