El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-07-29
CONTRACT LET
FOR PLAZA
BLOCK
Mammoth Concrete Struc-
ture Next to The Herald
Building.
BUILDING TO BE
ERECTED AT ONCE

Plans for the Plaza block, FL Paso's
newest skyscraper. have been complet-
ed, the contract for the construction
let. and the contracts closed for the
entire seven floors. composing the con-
crete and steel structure. which will
cost $4,000 when completed
The basement first and mezzanine
floors have been leased by the White
House store and will be occupied by
Felix Brunschwfg & Co. A rathskelIer
IN the basement viii be conducted sep
arate from the remainder OF the store
but all Of the basement. aside from
the rathskeller will be used for the
work rooms. stock rooms and storage
compartments. The entrance to the
basement will be on the east and also
from the interior OF the first story.
Elaborate Finish.
The first story viii be original in
its general design and will be el1bor-
ately finished with white marble
bronze and heavy plate glass The dis
play windows will be arranged in the
form of an arcade, giving a display
space Of 5000 square feet This arcade
will have an entrance onto Pioneer
plaza. with an arched marquise canopy
Of bronze and art metal The front OF
the building will follow the graceful
curve Of the property line, with the
main entrance in the center at the
highest point of the curve
The arcade will also have openings
into the lobby Cor the upper floor on
the west side OF the building and also
on the east next to the Mills building
Show windows will be arranged on the
main front Of the first story and also
on the arcade. giving three times the
display space that the usual store
building can give
Auxiliary Displays.
Auxiliary display cases will be ar
ranged on the outside columns. and the
mezzanine floor will be supported by
marble columns In the arcade. A large
horseshoe shaped display case will also
be built in the center of the arcade. on
a direct line with the main entrance.
and the entrance into the store proper
Heavy art metal gates will be attached
TO the main entrance. and auxiliary
entrance. to permit their being closed
at night
The mezzanine floor will have orna-
mental plate prism glass. and a bronze
stairway Will lead from the main floor
Of the building to the mezzanine floor
This stairway will be decorated with
heavy bronze lamps on the newell
posts and will rise from the rear OF
the store to. connect the first floor with
the mezzanine-
White Coat of Concrete.
Above the mezzanine floor the front
OF the building will be finished in
white cement over the concrete body
with an ornamental decorative belt at
the seventh floor line. and specially
designed corniee decorations. The lob
by entrance to the five floors above the
mezzanine will be on the west side Of
the building. adjoining The Herald
building. A battery Of elevators will
operate from the main floor to the
roof, and a system OF freight elevators
will he distributed through the build
ing for. the handling OF freight and
ba ggage.
Hotel Upstairs.
The five upper floors will have a to-
tai OF 80 rooms and these floors have
been laid out for a European hotel.
with each of the so rooms connected
with a bathroom and a marble stair
way, from the first to the top floor.
W. NJ Mccoy. the present proprietor
Of the Grand Central hotel. has been
planning to lease the five upper floors
and will probably close a contract for
the entire building above the second
floor.
VIII Be Ornamental.
The appearance OF the building.
which will adjOin the Mills building on
the west. VIII De especially pIedSluE-
An ornamental iron rail will extend
across the front Of the building above
the mezzanine floor. The curved effect
of the front will break the straight
lines of the building and with the
marquise and the white marble with
prism and plate glass, and the upper
stories faced with white cement and
architectural ornamental designs. the
effect is expected to be as striking as
the Mills building
VIII Cost $4,000.
The Plaza building viii cost $780,
900 complete and ready for occupancy
frost & frost are the architects for
IT. and Otto P Kroeger the contractor.
Work will begin as soon as the mate
rails can be ordered The excavation
for the basement is completed The
building will be built by the Central
Improvement company, composed OF
Felix Martinez n. 3. Stevens. T. T.
White, ]. ]. Mundy and others