The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-03-07
.LANSBURGKS PLAN.
MODERN BUILDING.
Department Store viii Soon
Have Large Addition on
Eighth Street.

Washington will soon be able 70 boast
OF one OF the most modernly constructed
and equipped department store build
ing In the country.
Lansburgh & Bro. one of Washing
toms oldest established Arms Is to begin
work soon on a new six story building
OF fireproof steel construction, ana
boasting the very last word In store
fixtures and mechanical equipment cali
culated to give convenience and service
to patrons.
Plans for the structure are nearing
completion at the hands of we'll
known firm OF Washington architects
with the assistance OF a nationally
known technical expert on interior store
construction, equipment and fittings.
the Eighth street frontage Of the pres
ent Lansburgh store, but the entire In
terror, including that OF the Seventh
street frontage, will be reconstructed TO
meet the -the-minute plan OF the
new building.
$4,000 Square Feet.
When completed the new building will
give an additional floor area of 1900
square feet. 1t will be equipped with
every conceivable continuance to give
service and comfort to patrons and en-
ployes, and to expedite the handling OF
stock and purchases.
Work on the new structure Is to be
started May 1, and II will be pushed to
completion as soon as possible. When
II 10 completed many OF the depart
ments of the present store will be re-
arranged and new ones will be In
stalled.
Six passenger elevators Of the most
improved type and equipped with every
known safety device Will be Installed
70 give quick service to the upper floors.
The building will be equipped with a
vacuum cleaning system of sufficient
capacity to care for every department.
The new equipment includes an cleo
ali purchases to the shipping room i'm
mediately, from any part OF the store,
with minimum Of handling. First
floor departments will have an electric
gravity spiral system that will get
packages to the shipping room in less
than minute after purchase.
New Registering System.
A feature OF the system is a register
ing device that shows whether the
package is a charge. cash, or cod.
one. After recording in the shipping
room, another incline elevator takes
them to waiting vehicles at the street
level II Is believed that this equip
ment will make for record time In de-
livery
Bqual facilities are to be installed for
the handling OF stock. Shipments conf
ing In will be handled through a special
freight elevator which will carry them
direct to the NTH floor, where they
VIII be opened In a bright and sanitary
room instead Of In dark basement. A
part OF this floor will be used as store
and stock rooms. An intricate system
OF electric dumb waiter conyeyances
VIII take stock automatically to any
fephrtp'ept for which 1t is intended.
b. Il Is automatic and operated
3 III. ,,S or controller. All that is
get conveyor is to push
\ 1t can be dispatched by
controller.
2eyors are made safe by an
: al ~ cooking system that will not
perInksA4 car to move unless all doors
on the shaft are closed.
Many OF the present departments on
the nrst floor are to be enlarged and
euripped with new fixtures and new de-
partments are to lie added.
The second noor will likewise Undergo
rearrangement. Instead Of having enc
department. for rcady.to-wenr clothes,
There VIII be distinctive shops for each
class. with new equipment and ivtures,
Destined especially for the kind ~ goods
on display. other departments crowd
"a ,eu TOR room will re enlarged. and there
shoe department.. a new departure. IA
to be opened on this noor. IT will like
wise be designed as a distinctive shop,
For Patrons Convenience.
Many oony eniences for patrons will
be installed On the third floor These
include rest room. with telephone
booths. lavatories. and an Information
bureau. A manicurlng and haiIdressing
parlor Will he opened oil this floor.
Selling space on this Iinor will be ar
ranged and sroured. with the latest
equipment.
Offices of the corporation will be To-
Gated on the fourth floor.
The sixth floor will he turned over en-
urely to arrangements for the comfort
and conve nience of patrons and en-
ployes. 1t will contain the fitting
rooms, rest and recreating rooms for
male and female employees: a kitchen
ana lunchroom for employees, and n
store hospital for patrons and en-
ployes There will be a trained nurse
In attendance and doctor on cali.
This floor will also have a training
room for the physical and mental de-
velopnrent Of employees. Regular class
es will be held. to develop employees and
pacity.
In addition TO all this the store will
have especially designed lighting anil
cash carrying systems and other fea-