Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-03
OPENS ITS NEW HOUSE
SWartzeIl, Rheem & Hensey
Co. in Modern Quarters.
RECEIVES GOOD WISHES
Friends Inspect Building and Ex-
tend Congratulations.
DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE
Story Of Growth Of the Business and
Sketches Of Members Of
the Firm.
DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURE

The swartzell. Rheem & Hensey Com
pany, to the music of a section Of the
Marine Band. last evening had the formal
opening of its new building in 18th street
between New York avenue and H street.
when throngs of it's friends were present
from o'clock to 1890 o'clock to extend
congratulations. Many distinguished
guests attended, and the expressions OF
admiration at the exquisite design and
harmony Of decoration shown in the taste
Of the architect, Paul ]. Pelz. were cor
dial and unqualified.
This bit of architecture. occupying as
It does one Of the most conspicuous loca-
lions In the city. Is regarded as unique AZ
we'll as beautiful. Unique In the fact that
1t is undoubtedly the most pretentious
building here, and probably anywhere In
the country. devoted exclusively to the
real estate business. and beautiful as q
presentation Of pure Roman classic archi-
lecture as interpreted by the masters OK
The front of the building 10 Of white
marble The entablature. which 10 worked
out with Ane detail, Is supported BY
fiuted Cotinthian columns boldly detach-
ed from the face Of the wall and standing
on very massive pedestals. These col
umns are surmounted by acanthus capi-
tails skillfully modelled and executed after
those of the porfico Of the Pantheon.
The entrance to the building Is well
developed feature. with its architrave
with '.ears,'' consoles, posts. rich en-
tablature and pediment. the latter model
ed with a garland OF oak and acanthuS
A bronze tablet set in the face or the wall
midway between the door piece and IN i.
m ain pediment shows in Roman numerals
that the business Of the Swartzeli: Rheem
Hensey Company was established IN
1869, while the name of the company
appears also in bronze letters along the
frieze of the main cornice.
Above the Main Cornice.
Above the main cornice the clusters OF
columns carry pedestal bookings, above
which the center part rises az paneled
attic. thanked by groups Of massive sky
lobates richly decorated with lions heads.
festoons and suspended panel pieces. A
cartouche or shield with the raised mono
gram .S r. H." occupies the center. sup-
ported on either side by figure IN
graceful sitting posture. The modelling
OF these figures by Mr.. Amateis mas at
tracted much favorable comment. In fact.
the modelling work OF the entire iacaoe 10
said to show work Of high artistic
character
The main office room is no less a reve-
lation of the mastery OF proportion mod
cling and harInonies than Is the exterior.
1t is room of immense dimensions and
dignity, being 80 feet wide, 100 feet long.
with a height from floor to ceiling Of
q feet. The ceiling is highly orna-
mental metal frame work for great ex-
panse Of translucent glass. through which
the main room Is lighted both by day and
night. The walls are decorated with
Corinthian pilasters % feet in height sur
mounted by capitals of most pleasing de-
sign.
panels decorated in verde green tone
supported by smaller pilasters of fine
workmanship in pure white. The entab-
| lature is fully developed. comprising arch
itrave, frieZe and cornice. The frieZe is
another of the many features of the in
a charming color scheme against a back
ground of old gold and presenting at in
tervals in it's composition a recall of the
exterior of the building. The interior pedi-
| by two massive columns is also Of an
deliberately decorative character.
View of Washington.
In the space between the base of the
pediment and the mahogany framework
| Of the doorway is a finely executed paint
| ing, presenting view of Washington
from Arlington Heights. The counter and
partition work are of rich African mahog-
any with a gOiden TnlSh. On one side OF
| the room are the ample counters, while
| on the other. separated by a mosaic and
| terrazza aisle II feet in width, are the
| rooms of the officers of the company and
their associates. The entrance to this
aisle from the ample lobby in front il
| fianked on either side by deliberately
carved pilasters of the same fine mahog-
| any.
! At the extreme end of this long aisle Is a
graceful archway. entered by q series OF
marble steps. and leading on the first
rooms and on the second floor to the
rooms for the stenographers and type
writer's. This archway is handsomely
fanked on either side by charmingly mod
eled figures in relief. as well as by care
| fully executed plaster decoration.
stairway in the recess OF this arch leads
| to the rear basement OF the building
where are located fully equipped lockers