The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-10
Twenty Year Lease Exc
cuted for Structure at
Third and Nineteenth
OFFICE BUILDING
MAY BE ERECTED
Newly Leased Structure Will Extend
From Third Avenue to Alley on
Nineteenth-Molton Die
cusses the Lease

The WooIworth stores will establish
a branch in Birmingham. A building
reaching from the corner of Third ave-
nue. and Nineteenth street to the ALLY
adjoining the Hillman hotel will be
|erected for that company by Frank
Nelson, Jr.
Announcement to this effect was made
yesterday by T. H. Motion, who has ne
gotiated 20-year lease for the Wool
worth stores for the building 10 be
Iereeted by Mr. Nelson. The new build
ing will cause the removal of the Gum
drug store. Bert G. Covell, one shoe
shop, one restaurant and an alley cor
ner saloon.
1t was given out yesterday that the
Woolworth stores wanted the basement
and two stories of the proposed struc-
ture. However. it is understood that
Mr.. Nelson IS not bound to erect
building only two stories high 1t is
understood that lie is contemplating
the erection of building considerably
higher than two stories because of the
very valuable corner situation and the
growing demand here for office space.
~. <'hoAeOhs oSNiA Api tic NSOA-
worth interests who negotiated the 20
year lease, said yesterday afternoon:
LAS many have known this deal has
been closed a month However, | had
treated 1t in confidential business
manner and was surprised today when
several persons asked me about it. How
the rumor leaked out l do not know.
The Woolworth stores have leased that
ground and building will be occupied
by that company on that site. The
work will start this year on the build
ing, but [ cannot say definitely when.
Have 653 Stores
"The woolworth interests have 653
stores in this country and Great Brit
ain. The company has been wonderful
ly successful as Mr. woolworth is
building In New York now the high
est building for commercial purposes
in the world, which is a monument to
his business efficiency and his great
ness a merchant. | am told that this
company sells eight solid car loads of
candy every day in its stores. and will
blow up a ship rather than to sell any
thing for more than 10 cents. / am
glad that concern is to locate here as
it emphasizes how wonderfully Bir-
mingham has grown in the estimation
of business men in the east and else
where. The agents for Mr.. Woolworth
were here several days ago, two of
them, and all arrangements have been
concluded"
Mr.. Nelson was asked yesterday to
confirm the statement about the lease
on his lot. He said that he had prom
ised not to make any statement in ref
erence to the matter and therefore de-
clined to give any information upon
the matter. Mr.. Motion. according to
Mr.. Nelson, was fully informed as to
the transaction and whatever state
ments he made were perfectly correct.
Occupied by Several Stores
The building site which is now occupied
by several business houses is 100 feet on
Nineteenth street, running back 30 feet
on Third avenue. Added to the 100 feet
on Nineteenth street is 40 feet which
reaches to the alley corner adjoining the
Hillman hotel. This 40 foot lot goes back
100 feet on Third alley. which will give
the new building an Il shape, according
to Mr.. Motion, when 1t is completed.
The building. according to Mr.. Motion.
Woolworth plans were for a specially de-
signed building and that one of the
handsomest retail places in Birmingham
would be constructed He added that the
company only wished a certain amount
of space which is two stories and the
basement. The amount of the building
has been agreed upon. The question of
whether a medium sized skycraper goes
up on the corner depends upon the sue
cess of plans that Mr.. Nelson has under
way.
Much Credit to Radcliffe
The coming to Birmingham of the great
Woolworth interests is due to the efforts
of Secretary William C. Radcliffe of the
Chamber of Commerce, according to Pres
ident John w. Sibley of the civic cham
Der. Mr.. Sbley in commenting on the
matter last night, said: 81 am very glad
to hear that the great Woolworth in
terests are coming to Birmingham and
will build one of their large and 10
cent emporiums in the downtown dis