New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-31
New Building Era for
Old West Side Section
Tall Commercial Structures Replacing Many Ancient
Houses in the District Between 42d and Doth
Sts West Of 9Th Az.

Slowly but surely the old section Of
Manhattan bounded by 42d and seth
sts. Eighth nv. and the North River
is putting of It's ancient building form,
comprising principally old law tene-
ment houses and small factory proper
ties. and adjoining itself with new
Building garb. one most suitable 10 1t.
As this building garb is spreading out
and casting deep shadows, owing 20 ITS
length and height, on many squatty
structures adjoining. apparently trying
20 blot them from sight. the new ana
bright figures OF the latest buildings
seem 20 herald that q new era has ar
rived for the entire district, an age IN
which the section will become one Of
the most important, extensive and i'm
posing manufacturing ana shlpp'hg
centres in the entire city.
The graceful and long lines Of the
modern loft and factory and other com
mercial structures put up IN the sec
ton In recent years also make experts
who have studied the realty situation
in the section feel assured that within
the very borders Of this most promls-
iny part Of the city will be unfoldeo
many opportunities for the establsh-
ment Of many big model fiat house cen
tres contiguous 70 the manufacturing
and commercial houses. Experience
bitterly learned IN recent years, mas
taught the realty market that the most
perfect factory district. and therefore
the best for the needs Of the present
day. IS one in which harmonious
grourirr Of factory and home build
ings Of the highest possible type is
made
Factories and the homes Of most
workers 10 those industrial places can
not be widely separated without caus-
Ing serious loss IN time and none!
70 the factory employees. Not always
is Il possible 20 build factories ana
homes close 20 one another. Occ"-
sionslly this method Of close ouildihg
IS not the best on account Of there De
ing 10 hcalthfUl sites for the residen-
tisl quarters of the workers or because
Of dangerous conditions OF the section.
These dangers are met In those places
where railroad trains speed over un-
protected surface lines or where there
are nearby precipitous and rock water
frontsges. over the steep sides OF when
toddlinc children. and even groWn-upS'
are likely fo 90 whiTling 20 their DEAN
unless adequate safeguards are Duhu
There are other reasons, too, why IL
IS neither possible nor desirable 70 pul
The new industrial buildings and the
homes 90 house the workers side by
SIDE or BOO the same section. one OF me
principal ones being the price OF lano'
Model fat-houses with attractive rem,
tails for the majority Of industrial
workers cannot be erected on sites or
me expensive class.
Workors in the Fifth av. lofts COM
plain that. although they make as
much money nowadays As some year
ago, thew cannot save az much as LOT
mtriy, as they have 20 spend So or -
a week riding 20 and from work. Ten
cents "a dav for carfare ls a big eN-
pelse item 20 thcm With land selling
however. readily az $4,000 q front foot
10 the Fifth az. section, there IS no
iaeap land iu that part OF the city for
ne building or homes for the NOUS
trial workers, and consequently loit
owners are powerless 10 help their
WORKERS. except by increasing their pay.
But zoo the section extending from
80 and Both SITS. from Eighth aV. Wesi
70 the North River. there is now ana
vii be for some years TO come an
deal place for the building Of an eN-
'ensiye factory and fst-house centre
o. centres o. the best type. The sec
ton has every qualification TO make u
one OF the greatest and one Of the most
valuable Wholesale and shipping zones
this country.
Along Us waterfront the city is
building piers 900 feet long and win
width between the slips Of 800 ieeI
~ the present time the widest pier
slips on the Manhattan Waterfront are
800 feet These thousand foot long
piers will extend into the North RIVER
At 18th and 46th sts. The 46th ST.
pier will be $50 feet wide. or twenty
I've feet wider than the Chelsea piers
The pier shed IL 20 be 200 feet long
being continued from the pier proper
back over the land for distance OF
zoo feet. The shed over the street parti
VIII be used for storage purposes until
mere Is a demand for slip longer
nan 1000 feet This space VIII pro
ouee revenue 20 the city either from
NE steamship companies occupying the
PIERS or from commercial enterprises.
Back Of the present bulkhesd line -
DO street nifty feet VIDE. Easteriy