The Washington herald., 1907-08-04

Hospital, the high structures Of Mount
Pleasant. the splendid grove where some
day the Washington Cathedral will rear
its shape across the line Of vision to the
northwest, fianked by the magnificent
buildings Of the Georgetown University.
complete a vista Of architectural splendor
not to be duplicated on this continent
And all this lies at ones fec, seemingly
below where the observer stands. and re-
mains one Of the most inspiring views
the traveller will ever behold
Fifteenth street thus Is the center Of
Washington This point is set apart, not
only as the chief financial and business
center OF the city, but 1t is here the trans
portation lines concentrate and daily un-
load the people who seek the downtown
section" for pleasure. business, and shop
ping. For many years the city has been
verging hither, until IL has come into its
own. and now presents a completed pic
ture Of a modern business city, superim-
posed upon the political and social center
Of the American nation.
As already pointed out, architects and
builders are now putting tre finishing
touches to this picture The UniOn Trust
Building occupies the site on which
formerly stood Wormley's Hotel. The
property was bought more than year
ago from Stillson Hutchins and. with
the building, viii cost the company in
round numbers $500, coo. Wood, Dom &
Demiug prepared the plans for the struc-
ture. and the George a. Fuller Company
began operations last year, and have
erected the building with great dispatch.
1t viii be completed early next year, and
viii then become the permanent home
Of the trust company, which long ago
outgrew the capacity of its banking quar-
ters on F street, near the New Willard
Hotel.
Has Large Proportions.
The Union Trust Building has a front
age of 80 feet inches on II street and
l45 feet on Fifteenth street. Behind the
adjoining buildings on II street the build
ing forms an I. extending west from
Fifteenth street $50 feet back to the rear
line Of the BeIasco Theater. Both fronts
of the building are of fine granite. fur
nished from the Mount Airy quarries. Of
North Carolina. One Of the striking
features Of the building is its handsome
rows Of lofty pillars, built into the wall
lines far above the pavement. adding 10
the impression OF its height and break
ing the solid contour Of the perpendicular
walls.
In the completed building the Union
Trust Company viii occupy about two
thirds Of the first floor. The banking
room will equal two stories OF the build
ing, topped by mezzanine floor at the
s~l,
meetings of the directors of the COM
pany, private offices for the president and
other officials
The other one-third Of the first floor Will
be occupied by the Thomas J. Fisher
Real Estate Company. The banking room
and the offices Of the real estate company
viii be communicating. yet separate Both
Will be furnished In manner commen-
surate with the fine exterior OF the build
| ing. The walls viii carry imposing col
umns, friezes, cornices, and plaster orna-
ments Of exquisite design The window
frames VIII be OF iron. and the inside fur
r-shings. including wainscoting. bank
and Office desks Will be Of mahogany
/ The upper floors of the building will be
fitted up for Office purposes. and it is the
intention of the architect and builders to
turn out the best suit of rooms Of the
| kind 10 be found in Washington.
stand on Old Hotel Site.
The Hibbs Bank building and the Swart-
zell. Rheem & Hensey building occupy the
site OF the old Hotel Barton. The Hibbs
building. now rapidly nearing completion
is a fit companion of the Union Trust
building, just described. The Hibbs build
feet. 1t is ten stories high, surmounteC
by a lofty mansard roof, making the
structure slightly, its handsome proper
tons exciting expressions Of praise ir
every quarter. The view from its high