The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-05-27
CITY ENJOYS
BIGGEST BUILDING
BOOM IN HISTORY
Work Projected and Under
Construction Exceeds 5
Million Dollars
ONE STRUCTURE ALONE
WILL COST $1,000, 900
Barney Meyers Plans Store and
Apartments on East Broad
West End Residences
Breaking Record

Richmond has there been so much
building in progress and In contem
piation as at the present time. ac-
cording to experienced contractors
and building experts. And this is
especially the case in regard to big
building projects. a number of which
run UP into six figures. 1t is per-
haps no exaggeration TO say that full
~ five million dollars worth OF work
Is either projected or under construc-
ton at this date.
1t might also be emphasized that
practically no city in the country Is
in the midst OF such substantial
building boom as Richmond lis just
now. This is based on a statement
from w. A. Chesterman. one OF Rich
mond's leading contractors. who keeps
abreast of the times and knows what
IL going on abroad AS Well as at home.
Far and away the biggest project Is
the twenty story skyscraper Of the
Chesapeake and Ohio First National
Bank syndicate. which Is To go up on
the site Of the Chamber OF Commerce
at Ninth and Main streets. The lat
ter building is now being rapidly de-
molished. and there is every indica-
tion that all will be in readiness for
actual building operations within the
course OF the next month. The new
building Ii liz estimated, will cost up-
the cost OF the site. for which the
syndicate paid something like $780,
600.
Ask for Bids
Bids are already being asked for
the history hotel skyscraper which
William Rueger proposes to erect at
Ninth and Bank streets overlooking
the Capitol Square. Cost of this
building is placed at 100000. Con-
fvar fpre Hrx AnY ..Ir H.
bids are w. A. Chesterman. J. Henry
Miller, A. NJ Walkup. John r. VIII
son. Plans for the building will he
filed In the office OF the building in
spector next week. and 1t .s ant,ci-
pated that they viii be readily APP
proved.
Pians for extensive improvements to
the Richmond Hotel at Ninth and
Grace streets have already been flied
with Inspector Beck. These plans cali
for enlargement Of the present str7ic-
ture and the addition OF another build
ing facing on Ninth Street. the cost
Of the entire project being placed at
half million dollars. Both the old
and new Ganldtng VIII have height
Of ten stories when the improvements
are carried out
VIII Add Five Stories.
On the southwes. corner Of Capitol
and Tenth Streets. the Life Insurance
Company OF Virginia ss engaged In,
erecting a ffve-story office building to
provide additional room for Its rapidly
growing business, and II is understood
that fluffy AS many stories will be-
added to the structure as soon az the
lower section OF the building Ia COM
pleted ready for occupancy. Meanwhile
ample provision for the additional sior-
les Is being made in the way of found
alton The project calls for a total ex-
penditure OF about 100000. 1t is un-
derstood. Building Inspector Beck
approved plans for this structure sew
eral weeks ago.
Inspector Beck has also approved
plans for the proposed Lyric theater
at the southeast corner OF Eighth and
Grace Streets and 1t 10 stated that the
this building will be rushed to COM
pletien. despite the fact that the city
council Is expected to refuse the pro-
motors a license for operation on the
ground that 1t ID in close proximity TO
ST. Peters Catholic Church. located
directly across Grace Street. It In es-
timated that at least $4,000 will be
expended on the theater, exclusive Of
the cost OF the site.
The promoters declare that they will
take the matter to the courts of last
resort In event the city fathers refuse
them license. and they are confident
OF winning eventually.
May Erect Skyscraper.
To those who read the signs OF the
times closely. II would not be sur
prising II skyscraping project were
soon launched on the site OF the old
National Bank OF Virginia at thu
northwest corner OF Eleventh and
Main streets Richmond parties re-
Gently obtained an option on the
property fer $500, 600 and In some
quarters It Ia declared that the option
has already been closed. However
this l. denied by those on the inside
OF the deal.
work II being rushed on the new
postoffice building adjoining this site
and in tho course OF another year
Uncle Sans structure Is expected to
be open to the public. The building
represents an outlay OF nearly $780,
~. 000.
Bids for the big brick and CON
crete tobacco warehouse which j.. A.
asf futchesonee iaa a=hss4sss at the north
west corner Of Sixth and Grace street
were open day or two ago but the
contract has not been let. 1t Is I'M
derstood that Contractor George N.
Shelton was the lowest bidder. 1t Ia
estimated that the building will cost
fully $4,000.
Myera Will build.
Barney u. Myers il asking for bids
on a three-story combination store
and apartment building at s04 East
Broad street. Immediately adjoining
the Smithdeal building on the cor
ner of Ninth and Broad streets. TIL,
building will be q brick structure
with q frontage OF rs feet and 8
depth OF so feet. Its cost ID placed
at $4,000. The building will replac,
an old residential structure which Il
70 b rasod without delay.
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