The New York herald., 1922-07-09
I Highest Bronx Flats Rising on the Concourse

- WEN piece OF rocky land on
the side of a hill OF varying con-
tours and different grades. and
the problem to construct thereon a tall
apartment house. Such was the puzzle
which confronted Albert J. Schwarzler
when he undertook to plan building
for the west side of the Grand Boule-
ward and Concourse. between Clifford
place and 175th street parcel extend
ing back to Walton avenue. Further
more, he was advised that his project
was impractical. But Mr.. Schwarzler
is not of the sort that considers any
task insurmountable. The result or his
studies was scheme that called for the
erection of the highest building In The
Bronx--an apartment house OF thirteen
stories on the Concourse and seventeen
on Walton avenue, and containing 256
suites. or 1900 rooms. to cost $1,500.00O,
and soar to 1874 feet above the Con-
course. 1t will be named for Lewis Nor
ris. a signer Of the Declaration or In
dependence.
First he excavated to bed rock and
on that part of the plot In which the
excavations were deep enough he de-
cided to put apartments. Thus there Will
he four layers of apartments below the
level of the Concourse. The construc-
ton beneath that level viii be OF re-
enforced concrete because OF the liability
of delays in deliveries of structural steel
Above the Concoalrse the building VIII
be of steel construction and hollow tue
blocks covered by cream colored oricks
The structure is to be topped by cop
ner cornice in Italian style. The base Of
the building will be Of granite for the
lower half of the first story and lime
stone and terra Gotta will be used for
trim. The side elevation shows that the
upper five stories will suggest gigantic
steps. as they are to be built In set
backs to conform to the zoning law.
The blot measures 200 feet along the
Concourse, 1877 feet on Clifford place.
200 feet on Walton avenue ana mas
north line OF 200 feet. North OF 1t is
parcel extending TO 175th street. wnich
Mr.. Schwarzler intends to use sometime
as the site OF an addition to the Lewis
Morris. The land for the proposed ex-
tension has front and rear lines OF 2oo
feet each, a south line Of 100 feet and
it's north side is 100 feet long on l7oth
street. Thus an open space left In the
rear of the addition will assure both
buildings permanent light and air. The
plot on which Mr.. .schwarzler Is work
Ing has contours slipping to walton ave-
nue.. gradually on Clifford phce and
from Clifford place down to It's north
end, which is above its Walton avenue
level. From the Ctncourse to the wal
ton avenue level the drop Is fifty-two
feet.
The Concourse entrance Is to be set
back six feet from the building line.
The center group of the doorway VIII be
OF ornamental cast iron with bronze
finish. Tenants will have the use OF
four elevators. two OF which Will de-
sccnd to the Walton avenue level.
Among the interesting experiments to
be tried In the house will be high
pressure steam plant which will gener-
ate power to be sold to the tenants.
Another feature is to be a refrigerating
plant And, to be strictly In line with
twentieth century ideas. the house will
be equipped with radio apparatus.
Mr.. schwarzler intends to have. the
building ready for occupancy on Jan
uary /, 1t will be arranged In suites Of