The sun., 1918-08-18
Resumption of Work on Largest Hotels Sign of
New Attitude of Government Toward Buildn
Progress Noticed
Recently in Con-
structionofHOtels
Pennsylvania and
Commodore Re-
wives Hope That
Restraint May Be.
Lifted Soon

Although no definite information could
be obtained yesterday a. TO whether the
Government had lifted the ban on con-
struction In this city 1t was strongly
lntimated In conversations with the in
terests Identified with the Hotel Pennsyl-
vania and the Commodore that restric-
lions were not quite as severe as they
had been. The rapid strides being made
In tho, construction Of these two great
hotels might be construed as an indica
tion that the Federal authorities have
come to realise the effect of the regula-
tons applicable to building operations
and have repented Other projects which
have been partly completed and new ones
where II Is evident their need II urgent
are expected to be allowed to proceed.
The two hotel operations combined ans
the greatest ever under way at the same
time In the city. a colncident Is that
the George A Fuller Construction Com
pany has the contracts for both and this
places the building material orders in the
hands OF one concern. The greatness of
the operations Is magnihed by the fact
that tho hotels will be the largest In the
world. one. the Pennsylvania, exceeding
the other, the Commodore. by a greater
capacity of 200 rooms the two having
a total Of 1900 rooms and an equal
number OF baths Both occupy sites at
the terminus OF great railroads in this
city. and both undoubtedly have been
helped In building by the Pennsylvania
and New York Central railroads. The
combination of interests behind the
projects, viewed from any point. involves
the greatest volume Of influence that any
building operation has ever enjoyed.
Both hotels are now estimated to be
IS per cent. finished. and a race has de-
veloped to see which will be opened first.
II has been announced by the Conmo
dore promoters that II will be ready for
occupancy by January I. and the Penn
sylvania interests. while not setting an
exact date. mentioned the first of the
year as the time OF their opening. IL
there are no unforeseen Developments
this schedule will in all likelihood be car
ried out. The race now depends more on
the ability to secure labor and retain II
than to provide materials, so that the
opening of both hostelries depends now
more on another war condition-the la
Dor supply-over which the Government
has not yet a strict control but which
will develop with the extension OF the
draft age limits
The greater Of the two hotels. the
Pennsylvania, will occupy the entire
frontage on the east side OF Seventh ave-
nue from Thirty second to Th'rty-third
rtreet. a distance OF 107 feet. and wiz
extend back on each street 400 feet II
will be twenty stories. and the invest
ment. including the land. Will represent
an outlay Of around s1s.0oo.ooo. Up
ward Of 1900 tons of steel have been
used in the construction OF the skeleton
of the Pennsylvania, and something like
5000, 900 brick OF which 100000 are
face brick, wifi be used. Cement and
plaster requirements are so stupendous.
the structure being entirely fireproof.
that the representative OF the contrac-
tor in charge hesitated to make an es-
innate.
OF the s16,0o0.ooo investment one
eighth or more OF the sum will go into
equipment, the contracts for which have
all been out for some time.
The Commodore, which will be twenty
six stories occupies the square block
bounded by Forty-second and Forty
third streets. Lexington avenue and De-