Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-07-08
STEEL COMING
FOR FRAME OF
POINT HOTEL
Structure Pate e d
After Resort Hostel
ries; Open Air Patio
To Be Built


With one member of the firm and
a construction superintendent en-
route to the Valley and with steel
for the frame more than a week on
its way here, work is scheduled to
begin in a short time on the $780,
600, five-story hotel to be built at
Point Isabel by r. NJ. Bartholomew
and Sons OF Indianapolis, Ind. +. II.
Trimble of Point Isabel is an asso-
ciate architect in planning the struc-
ture.
One OF the most interesting hotels
in the Lower Rio Grande Valley VIII
be erected. according TO Bartholo.
new. II will be on the order OF
many modern hotels recently con
structure in similar climates Oh
California and Florida. I'LL.
Tie new hotel will cover a ploi
Of ground 100 by 100 feet n VII
have five stories and a basement
over all this area and SIX stories
and basement on the north half OF
the structure. The building Is U
sbaped with the opening facing the
prevailing Gulf breezes and corrl-
doris 50 arranged that every room
will face the outside for adequate
| light and ventilation.
Plans Altered
Original plans for the hotel as
nrepared in indianapolis provided
for a block-like building but after
study Of climate Of the Valley and
location Of the hotel site, Mr.. Bar
tholomew. IN consultation with VAL
lev architects. changed the plans to
the present design. The changes IN
volved some structural changes and
resulted in delay Of n week or two
in beginning construction.
Steel columns and beams will car
~ the load in the Bartholomew no.
tel. This is the first steel frame
construction carried out IN the VAL
lev. The walls. inner and outer,
will be Of hollow tile. set in the steel
skeleton. Outside walls are 70 be
finished in tinted stucco. Glazed
tile o~rnamentation will be carried
out along outside walls near the roof
line and along the tor Of the ar
cade. In general the finish will be
of Spanish or Mediterranean style.
Ore feature Of the design will be
the arcaded sidewalk. suitable for
Point Isabel's s~emi-tropical climate.
The full arcade. as can be seen in
the picture of the architects draw
ing, gives protection from direct
rays Of the sun to tenants of the
lowr floor and to persons using the
sidewalk. This arcade design has
been adopted by the Port Isabel
company and the city of Port Isabel
as standard for Point Isabel con-
~struction in the business section.
Get More Ground
On the opposite side of the build
ing an additional lot, 25 ty 100 feet.
has been secured by Mr.. Bartholo-
new 70 give added space to the ho-
tel and this will be developed as a
walled and tile-floored patio.
The top Of the arcade On the east
side Of the building will be con
struoted also for use as an observa-
ton porch or outside dining room
and the contractor is considering
plans for a roof garden IN top Of
the building. These plans would
thereby provide three outside floors
for dining or dancing.
Basement Of the building will have
eight-foot clearance and will house
a central heating plant. q refrigera-
ton plant. barber shops. Turkish
baths. q bakery and storage rooms.
Soundings have been made in prep
a~ration for construction and very
dense clay was found 20 underlay
the site to a great depth, afford
ing a solid foundation without need
of driving piling.
Principal entrance Of the ground
floor will be on the southwest or
Power street. Three corridors will
radiate from the central lobby Civ
ing entrances from south, east and
west. The ground floor space will
be occupied by stores, offices and
the main dining room and kitchen
Inquiries have already been received
for rentals OF this store and office
space. Opening off the central lob.
by will be two fast elevators and
one slow hoist for freight service.
To Be Cool Place
There will be 1913 rooms in the
hotel. each with bath. The original
design provided for 2fs rooms bu.
sacrifice was made Of several rooms
10 provide for the open court
through the center Of the building
and insure complete ventilation.
Balconies and wide doors nj the
south end Of each Of the corridors
from the second 70 TIE fifth floor
inclusive will provide f5r additional
circulation Of air. Through a svs-
TEN OF ducts terminating on the
sixth floor cool air will he forced
70 all corners OF the building and
warm air during tire cool months
and occasional "northers."
Contracts are being made for fur
nishinCs and equipment Of the no.
tel and from basement refrigera-
ton plant to air fans or the roof
all equipment will be If the latest
tyre.
Tie new hotel will be constructed.
fitted. owned and operated by F. VI.
Bartholomew e. Sons Of indianapolis.