Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-08-17
STEEL USED in MEXICO.
Great New Theatre and Public Build.
b ings Going Up in Mexico City.

structural steer could not Withstand the
earthquake shocks that are OCCASION
ally felt here. This theory was put to
q servere test in the recent seismic
disturbance. 1t is stated that not the
slightest damage was done to any OIL
the steel structures already erected
and in course of construction here.
The fact that Mexico is built upon
what was once the bed of a lake also
led to the conclusion on the part Of
some persons that it would not be DOS
sible to obtain secure foundation for
heavy steel bulldogs. This theory
has also been dissipated by the men OF
architectural and building science VIII,
have had charge of the construction OF
these buildings
The new National Theatre building.
which is now under construction her,
will be the largest and costliest steel
structural building in Mexico. 1t al
ready attracts the attention of visitors
it's massive steel frame rising above the
surrounding buildings and making it
plainly seen from distant parts of the
CITY. The work of constructing this
building was begun a year and a half
ago. 1t will take about three years to
complete it. When finished it will have
cost the government about $4,000, 900,
Mexican money, which is equivalent to
So, 600 900 gold. The architect of the
building is Adamo Boari, an Italian.
Government ownership of theatres is
not a new thing in Mexico. Most of the
state governments own and subsidiZe
theatres in their respective capitals.
This National Theatre, which the fed
eral government is erecting here, will
occupy two blocks of ground, bounded
by the streets Of San Franciso, Santa
Isabel, Mariscala and Mirador del
Alameda The structure will be the
most imposing one in the city. 1t will
be $40 feet long, go feet wide and six
stories in height The dome of the
building will be $50 feet above the side
walk, and the main roof will be Y feet
above the sidewalk. In the construc-
ton of the steel skeleton the latest
methods known to the building trades
are used. The foundation contains
more than thousand tons of steel.
In the superstructure there are more
than three thousand tons of steel. The
steel grillage rests upon q continuous
LAYER of concrete. The four facadeS OF
the building will be of marble, backed
with concrete. The color of the mar
BILE used I'D to the water table will he
n rich brown Above the water table
the marble will be white. 1t is planned
that all Of the brown and white marble
is to be Mexican product. with the eX-
ception, perhaps, of the colOnnades and
will from C1rr1r2
The floor and roof will be of concrete.
The building will be Ornamented on
the outside with several marble statues.
The models for them are now being
made in Europe, under the direction Oh
the Mexican government, ny noteu
French and Italian artists. The gov
erpment has decided that no expense
shall be spared in making the IN
terror decoration of the building elapo-
rate and attractive.
The theatre proper will have a seat
ing capacity of about two thousand
persons. II will occupy only part OF
The building. The remainder of the
building will be devoted to reception
rooms, dancing hail. restaurant, concert
hall etc Under the dome Will ne q
large winter garden. This Will be the
main feature of the building, and Will
have the unique distinction OF being
the only open winter garden on 'he
North American continent. 1t cannot
be duplicated elsewhere. except possibly
at n few places in Mexico, on account
of the eyenness and warmth of the ell
mate here in winter, which permits the
4. IN hn
round.
In order to provide for any weather
contingency that may arise the build
ing will be equipped with a heatlns
plant. 1t will be the only building III
Mexico thus equipped. 1t will also nave
it's own ventilatins plant. This is also
something that no other building mas.
In Manning this building the architect
overlooked nothing that would make
the structure complete and modern in
evc,v respcct. The Moore electric vac
nun tube system of lighting will be
used throughout the building. This
Of itself, will be something novel for
Mexico. 1t will be also equipped with q
complete telephone system.
The interior of the building will also
contain a great display of Mexican
ONYX. which will be used in the decora-
tion work. There will be luxurious
ness about the building that will be
nleasing to the seekers of amusement
II will be a great temple of pleasure,
and the fact that it will be conducted
under government auspices. receiving
a yearly subsidy, in the same way that
tho pubIic schools of the country are
maintained, insures it's high standard.
It is claimed that it will be the largest
,n1 finest theatre building in the world.
II has the advantage of being the
central part of the city. On one side OF
# is the famous Alameda, or park,
which occupies ten blocks. On the
other side is the new postoffice building
which was recently completed at cost
| of several million dollars. 1t will be the
highest and largest building in Mexico.
Its dome will be higher than the towers
Of the great Cathedral. situated on the
) zaco,a., near the government palace.
| 7, is significant that the contract 1or
the steel work, fireproofing ana con-
crete work for this great building weh'
To an American firm, Milliken Brothers,
| Wi The introduction OF Stce