The Detroit times., 1911-12-28
PLANS READY FOR NEW HOME
FOR BOARD OF COMMERCE
Work Will Start March / on
New Building Which Will
Cost 100000.

Plans for the building for the De-
troie Board of Commerce, which have
been under consideration for a year or
more, have finally assumed definite
form and sketches have been drawn
up by Architects Donaldson and Meier
for a building which will cost COM
pleted, with furnishings, etc.. $780,
900. The building will be erected at
Lafayette and Wayne-st., on the
site of the present quarters of the
board, and will occupy the entire lot,
loo feet on Lafayette and 120 on
Wayne. The work of tearing down
the old structure will be started by
March 1sof next year. and it is hoped
to have the building completed and
ready for occupancy for the New
Years reception in 1913. The board
will secure temporary quarters mean
while.
The building will be three stories
In height, with basement. The
base will be of granite and the re-
mainder of terra Gotta, and the struc-
ture will be OF flreproof construction
throughout. The main entrance,
which will be on the corner, will lead
TO a broad hall, from which the ad-
ministration offices will open. These
will be arranged along the Lafayette
blvd. side OF the building and will
have private elevator, stair and cor
ridor. on the MAIN hail VIII be q
check room and other conveniences.
The ground floor will also contain
storage room, ante-rooms and general
Offices Facing Wayne-st. there will
be space for four stores, but il is in
tended to occupy this space for Offices
when the needs OF the board require
II.
From the main hall a broad flight
of stairs will lead TO the auditorium
on the second floor. The auditorium
will be 92x66 feet and will have a
seating capacity of 500. while tho
balcony will accommodate 400 more.
This room can also be used as a
banquet hall when required. as ar
rangements have been made for dumb
walters 10 the basement. and "a serv-
ing room behind the stage. The sec
ond floor will also contain the presi-
dents room, the directors room, Ii.
brary, record files and workrooms.
.fhe third floor viii provide additional
office space besides the space taken
for the balcony to the auditorium.
The basement will contain the cafe,
with kitchen and service requirements
for 400. There will be six smaller
dining rooms, which viii accommo.
date 100 more. These may be used
for committee luncheons, etc. II Is
planned TO organize a MONDAY lunch
con club among the members.
The first Offices Of the Board OF
Commerce were located in the Peo-
pies state bank building. but after
three years OF growth IL became nee
essaTy to have larger quarters and
the present building. which was for
merly occupied by Or Ben Brodie,
was purchased. The cost OF the new
building will be provided for by an
issue OF 100000 five per cent bonds.
the Detroit Trust Co, acting as trus-
tee II is stated that nearly all OF
the bonds have been subscribed for.
The site on which the building is 10
be erected is valued at 5000. 900. based
on recent sales OF property in the vi.
cinity.
The plans for the building have
been passed upon by both the build
ing committee and the board OF di-
rectors.
The building committee having
charge OF the building project is com.
posed as follows: Chairman. j. L.
Hudson. George NJ Black. Charles A.
Dean. y A. Hawkins, w. y Holll
day. +. Il Holt. A Il Larned Mil.
ton A. McRae. sydney. r. Miller,
George r. Moody, John II. Russell and
John NJ Donaldson.