New-York tribune., 1910-12-16
THREE LANDMARKS TO CO
The Masonic Temple, in West
23d Street, the Oldest.
MURRAY GETS THE ALBANY
Windsor Arcade, Third Building
to Give Way Before the March
of Progress.

The city is about to lose three OF Its
Masonic Temple building. at the north
east corner of Sixth avenue and sd street,
and the other two are the Windsor Arcade,
covering the entire block front in Fifth
avenue between 4sth and 18th streets. and
the Albany apartment house, covering the
entire block frontage in Broadway be-
tween 51st and SD streets.
The fate of the temple, which YVES the
principal meeting place of the Masonic
bodies in this state for nearly half century
depends a meeting of the board of
trustees which will be held tonight to
open bids for new commercial building
to be erected on its site. 1t is proposed to
erect an eighteen story loft building cost
ing more than s1.0oo0Oo. and plans have
been drawn by H P Knowles, architect
If a satisfactory bid is offered. the razing
of the old temple will be begun at once
in order to have the structure ready
for tenants by January. 1912
The cornerstone of the old te1npie was
laid in 1870 and it was dedicated in 1875
For years it was one of the most imposing
pieces of architecture in the city, but the
fraternitys new home is much better
equipped in every way. The old temple
was built from plans by Napoleon LIE
Brun on site fronting 98.9 feet in Sixth
avenue and 141 feet on 23d street
John l.. Murray yesterday obtained
twenty-one year lease on the Albany
apartment house property from the Girard
Trust Company, of Philadelphia, who con-
troll the site for the estate of John J.
Emery The transaction was made by
Henry D. Winans & May. Mr. Murray,
who is the owner of large restaurant in
West 42d street, is to make alterations
estimated to cost not less than 100000 to the
existing structure, but intends eventually
relmprovement of the plot with large
hotel and restaurant Plans for the work
are il charge of Henry j. Erkins archi-
tect.
Mr.. Murray is to pay an aggregate rem
tai of S,260,000 for the twenty-one years
The lease of the property does not contain
renewal clause, He is to take possession
of the site on October l. 1911
All the tenants Of the Windsor Arcade
have been asked TO move, and among those
who have already found new homes are the
Fencers' Club and the Jockey Club The
arcade was built by Elbridge T Gerry about
ten years ago. The Windsor Hotel former
ly stood on the site. This hotel was de-
stroyed by fire on St Patrick's Day, March
II, 1899. The fire broke out just as the head
of the St. Patrick's Day parade was pass
ing. when many patrons were at the win
dows. The building was in ruins in an
hour, and many persons were burned to
death or badly injured in jumping from
the windows.
The arcade is a three story structure ex-
tending back 1S0 feet on each street. Be
sides the arcade, ten dwelling houses to
the east will be razed simultaneously, bring
ing the clearing to the walls of the Carlton
apartment house and the new RitZ-Carlton
Hotel The northerly half of the plot was
leased a few months ago to w. & j. Sloane
for an eight story store building and they
sub-leased the easterly SO feet to the Goe-
lets. who are to build low structure, so
as to make permanent the westerly light OF
their apartment house. Negotiations are
pending for the lease of the southerly hall.