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New-York Tribune from New York, New York • 60

Publication:
New-York Tribunei
Location:
New York, New York
Issue Date:
Page:
60
Extracted Article Text (OCR)

5 THE TRIBUNE BUILDINGS. IThrcc Hare Stood on Historic Site Practically Three in One. Cloi-e to the civic centre of this great city of York, already the second in size in the World, and destined in a few years to be the foremost. The Tribune had its birth, and hero it established its permanent home. At the corner Of Nassau and Spruce streets It has b.

en published almost two-thirds of a century. Tho building ptiin-lin? there was destroyed by the second was demolished to make way for the first the oflice buildings erected In this city, and now tills third has undergone a transformation into a structure of double its former height and enlarged In until It has nearly sixfold the capacity. No location is more centrally situated for an office building. The vast business Interests of this metropolis will always remain near the lower end of Manhattan Island. There are now In process of construction or projected no less than twoscore great ollice structures in downtown Now York.

Some of these hives of human Industry hold a population In business hours approximating that of a small city, and the aggregate Is nearly a fourth of the four millions of fieoplo in the entire city. While efforts have been made to create new centres uptown, they Iblyc not met with any marked degree of success, because the efforts have not been concentrated but are so diffused that several centres stave been started, and each stands Isolated to a degree, related to others by no coherence of Ceslgn. A TRUE OFFICE CENTRE. The region of which the City Hall and other buildings, as well as the Federal Building, with the chief postoffice on Manhattan Island, form the natural centre will always he the most desirable for office purposes. But If the Supreme Court should be removed to Union Square.

Printing House Square would remain the natural place for lawyers' offices, because the of Records, the City Hall and Che United States courts would remain where dry are, and by the use of the subway five minutes would suffice for the trip from the Trtfcune Building to the courthouse. Of all the sites for ofllce buildings In this of the metropolis none is more eligibly situated than that upon which The Tribune has reared its home. Fronting on Printing House Bquarc, in the centre of which stands the statue Sf Benjamin Franklin, it looks out on the open of City Hall Park, bounded on one aide try that classic irpeoimen of architecture, the century old City Hall, and on the other by the pfullett Postofflce, which represents the other extreme of architectural taste which prevailed tarty years ago. When The Tribune, In the first fear of its existence removed to the present site Iroin the printing office at No. SO Ann street, where It was first issued, the surroundings were tar different from what they now are.

While pie City Hall has remained unchanged, nearly thing else has felt the hand of Improve- WnL The City Ilall Park was surrounded by high iron fence. In the same block with Ju-st Tribune building, at the corner of Frankfort street, was the hall occupied by the Taro- Jiany Society, or Columbian Order. Between Nassau street and Park Row stood the old Brick. Presbyterian church, on On site where "The times" afterward erected Its building. City pall Park Included the present site of the Post- Iffice.

there being no Mall street, and ran down to the front of the Aster House. Opposite the lower end of the park, fronting to Park Row, whs the old Park Theatre, the only reminder of which remaining Is Theatre Alley, running from Beekrnan street to Ann straet. No taller buildfags than the church and theatre stood In the vicinity. DESTROYED BY WIRE. The building at Spruce and Nassau streets an which The Tribune was published was by fire on the morning of February E.

Practically everything in tho building was burned, but by the aid of other offices the was Issued the lowing day. In three months a new building bad been completed and was ready for occupancy on thn site of the burned one. After that II ates of everything needed tor the publication of the paper were kepi for In an emergency. The occasion for their use never arose, but at time of the Chicago lire those facilities were offered to "Tho Chicago which had en burned out. During the time It took to erect the structure In place the one burned The Tribune was Issued from Its first borne.

In Ann street. Tho new structure five stories in height and built of brick. A fireproof addition on the- Spruce street side, fifty feet square, was erected In 1857. in the early 70's plans we re made for the erection of a sew building, which should combine not only tho space for the publication of the newspaper but also contain offices for rental. Property In Nassau street adjacent to the old Trifcuno building was i orchased and later In Frankfart street.

In 1573 tho plans were prepared for Che new structure, the business of the paper moved into the Spruce street structure, and Qhe old building at Spruce and Nassau streets, isng a noted landmark to tho history of the city the of many stirring' occurrences, was Hum down. The new structure which rose in its place was ffce first of the many skyscrapers which the OAcccedlng years saw erected tn New Tors. NEW-YORK SUNDAY, FEBKUAHY a 1907. With the exception of Trinity Church spire. Its tower was the tallest of the buildirips on Manhattan Island.

For years tt was familiarly spoken of as tin Tall Tower. Then other structures ros. to dwarf It, Just as the graceful sjinof Trinity Chun Is dwarfed an.l overshadowed by the giant structures which have risen around It One that was produced on the Tribune Building by the erection of Its tall mighbors was that the architectural effect was sc Vtered that the building scorned out of pro portion to its surroundings. By receni In height, so that it is not surpass by the bnildinga In cimity it, formi i- 1 tectur.U effect, secured when it stood practicallj alone, has be-in restored and the style of structinn apain set ma befitting the building. BUBSTAX VIA I.

CONSTRVCTIO Aa originally erected, the front of the bull ling was 92 font In length on Printing Housi Square and the depth 52 feet on Spruce strei t. here were ten stories above the basement and and the height from the cellar to the top of the roof was 171 feet Massive concrete foundations were laid twenty-seven feet bdow the curb. which two courst-s of granite ware placed, to support the foundation 6 feet 8 inches thw-k. of brick and Portland cement The THE TEN -STORY TRIBUNE BUILDING AS fT STOOD BEFORE THE HEIGHT WAS DOUBLED BY THE HEW CONST RUCTION. building was designed by the well known architect Richard Hunt, and the work was carried forward under the direction of Edward E.

Rant, his associate. It was the first of the lofty structures designed as the home of a newspaper. The Tribune Building was also pioneer among so-called skyscrapers of this city, although Chicago had already act the example of ten and twelve story office structures. A few Tears later the Pulitzer Building was reared on the former of French's Hotel, adjoining the Brldga entrance, for The World." Then the new bulMlng for "The was constructed around the old edifice which had been the borne of that newspaper on the southerly side of Printing House Square, but remained in possession of the estate of George Jones, and when "The removed uptown It became known as "41 Park Row." and several stories were added to the original structure. A dosen years ago the opposite corner of Spruce and Nassau streets from that occupied by The Tribune, where the American Tract Society had long, maintained Its offices and salesroom, was occupied by the lofty structure now standing there FRANKFORT BTRKRT WINQ.

The Tribune Building was completed accord- to the original plans, tn IXB2. by the erection of Uie Frankfort street wing. Ui reality an additional structure extending from street to Frankfort street, behind the Nawvaa street portion of the It was on the site of the first fireproof structure In Spruestreet, and in affect Increased the of the buiMitic to thrice original dtmeiuiions. As completed, the structure was a notable one among the fireproof office buildings of the city, and contained every modern Improvement. The flirt s'ory of th- facade of the Tribune Building was constructed of Iljjht colored granite, the same stone used In combination with the brick above for the ornamentation as well as ning of the walls.

The front was divided by piers, which were not only the support of the walls but also of the iron beams. On tho first Boor these piers were unit--! With great an-hes. binding the entire thicki.f.ss of the walls, which Iwo lnrh'-a. Tile joints of In the arches were set with molten lead, to distribute equally pressure on the i of the Joint, a device seldom which adds greatly to the strength of the wall At the fifth projection for the lofty or was started, in two great granite corbels, each ten tons, and eleven feet long, and projecting two feet and a half from the front of the buildlMg. On the front of the tower, 150 feet from the sidewalk, was a granite balcony.

At the. ridge of the roof the tower, seventeen feet square. was again corbelled oat. and above this the clock dials appeared, twelve feet In diameter, with figures cut in the granite, to be seen by day. and showing on the Illuminated glass dials, to be seen at night.

Above this the pyramidal roof, slate covered, rose sixteen feet, with a finial above the same height ending In the weather vane. The description of the building, as It was originally completed, said: The architect has been remarkably successful tn giving an appearance of lightness and variety to this Immense front of masonry, and he has solved the problem without resorting to the common device of "architectural or adding a single decoration merely for display. Every ornament has Its use; the position of every stone La dictated by the Ml 'lias, ef construction, and the whole work exhibits the overruling influence of a consistent Idea, It presents, therefore, what comparatively Caw American buildings do show, a strict architectoral design." DVVBLHD IN HKIOHT. This description is repeated here, tor it applies to the newest building as it appears to-day. While the present structure is Just twice as high as its predecessor, its architectural tin -3 are the same and the upper portion erf the front Is an exact duplicate of that below U.

In fact, the present tower la the same tower that stood on the top of the ten- story structure, every stone having been carefully taken down and relaldon top of the twenty-story structure In exactly the same position. The only difference between the Tribune tower to-day and that which stood for thirty years an the site Is that the aoUU weather vane of the present one are of cupper and those of the former one- were of Iron. To the spectator the effect la the same, but a hi lightness and durability was secured by substitution. But to return to what was called Hew Tribune Building when It was erected In 1374-Ti. As then described.

"In solidity sad thoxonch A.H. INSURANCE. One of the most important branches of business carried on in thin metropolis la that of insurance. With growth in other lines it has kept pace until now the amount cf capital Invested in It is enormous, and the interests involved control many millions of dollars. But all other enterprises, it saw the day of small things, and grew up from unimportant beginnings.

At orat insurance was secured against marine losses, and then gradually it extended to damage by fire, to loss of life and to all forms of risk in which there is prospect of loss. The amount of capital Masts represented In the insurance business is so vast as almost to stagger the mind, and the interests involved are vital to the welfare of any business communltjt. Nothing is of more Importance to a community than the proper management and control insurance affairs. All engaged in the business have a direct and vital interest In the business welfare and advancement of the city. One of the oldest firms of insurance brokers tB this city is that of A 11.

Uathbone Co. ct No. Pine street. The firm is composed ef Aaron H. Rathbone and his son.

Richard Rath bone. The business was established hi when the senior Mr. R.Lthbone came this city and embarked In business with him brother, under the name of liuthbone Bros. A Co. The business grew so rapidly that within ten years no than five firms had grown out of the original one.

The firm was first established at No. 3 Wall street, and moved thence after several yean to No. 96 Broadway. After five years another move was made to No. 17G Broadway.

Later the firm returned to Wall street, and was Hi No. 30, at Nassau and Wall for a considerable time. For ten ira A. H. Rathbone Co.

have been at Nos. 56 and 5S Pine street, with the exception of the two years they at Nos. 80 and 83 William street The firm always remained in close touch with the ance and financial interests of the city. IX handles all forms of Insurance, Including fire. marine, fidelity, liability, elevator, boiler, rent, life, accident, casualty, sprinkler, burglary, nado and plate glass.

A specialty ia also of court and fidelity bon.Si The head of the Sri! of A. FL Rathhone Co, who has been a resi lent of this city for over half a century, has seen many erar.gea tn both the business and residence quarters, but mairv tains an active interest in all that concerns tha commercial welfare of metropolis. Be has gained a wide and valuable experience in regard to all Insurance matters, and his ul.i-* i niacfc sought In regard to subjects connected with hi business. ANCHOR RENEWED LAMPS have EQUAL TO by U. S.

Government Its They are used in the U. S. Tribune Building 15 Cost enly 2-3 the ANCHOR LAMP 258 BROADWAY. THE GREAT ENGINES TRIBUNE BUILDING Some pieces 14 Tons Were by the Farnaas RIGGER AND TRUCKMAN WILLIAM CASEY 506 LIBERTY STREET (Stand an Trinity wtlo was pna.bl.-ii to iio the very i -T and quickly and without any aeddentfl or trouble by using his own Intent Electric NVirn ACCOUNTANCY "The Profession of Accountancy," A booklet, presenting facts In relation to the IVactice of Accountancy and of Individual Instruction given at the T. C.

-V. XXd Street branch, by which students for the C. P. A. degrwv will be upon application to BUUT B.

FAIUNSWcKTU. Educational Director. West S3d St, the Instructors. Pace Institute of Accountancy. TRIBUNL BUILDING..

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About New-York Tribune Archive

Pages Available:
367,604
Years Available:
1841-1922