Fire-Proof, Sure, This Time.

Fire-Proof, Sure, This Time.

Fine accounts are given in the Chicago papers of what the new Singer Building is to be. For example: It is the intention to make a building that shall surpass for strength and durability any one hitherto erected in the United States, and that it shall be in point of architecural design second to none in the land. A novelty will be wrought-iron beams, pillars and girders, which will give additional strength and add symmetry and beauty to the interior proportions. All the stone after it is taken down will be carefully refaced, and those found damaged will be replaced by new ones, so that when the walls are up again they will appear entirely new. The massive building will be six stories high and a basement underneath, the whole being surmounted with a French or Mansard roof, will be constructed most substantially of an iron frame-work, filled in with terra-cotta tiling, covered with slate. The interior will be supported by wroughtiron columns, covered, fluted and finished in Renaissance style with Portland cement. The girders and floor-beams will also be all wrought-iron. They will be divided into arches, filled in with concrete and tiling, of which all the floors will be composed. The interior will present the same general appearance as heretofore, but it will be thoroughly and absolutely fire-proof, no timber at all entering into its construction. The Singer (`ompanv has availed itself of the best of the modern improvements for making the build ing absolutely fire-proof and for the cxtlnguish~ !nent of fires. The stairways will all be hi and ornamental, and three elevators will furnish carrying power. No pai us or x will be spared to make the building absolutely safe from fire. The cost, it Is estimated, will be about $300,000, and it wuU be ready fot occupancy about August 1 next.

Fine accounts are given in the Chicago papers of what the new Singer Building is to be. For example: It is the intention to make a building that shall surpass for strength and durability any one hitherto erected in the United States, and that it shall be in point of architecural design second to none in the land. A novelty will be wrought-iron beams, pillars and girders, which will give additional strength and add symmetry and beauty to the interior proportions. All the stone after it is taken down will be carefully refaced, and those found damaged will be replaced by new ones, so that when the walls are up again they will appear entirely new. The massive building will be six stories high and a basement underneath, the whole being surmounted with a French or Mansard roof, will be constructed most substantially of an iron frame-work, filled in with terra-cotta tiling, covered with slate. The interior will be supported by wroughtiron columns, covered, fluted and finished in Renaissance style with Portland cement. The girders and floor-beams will also be all wrought-iron. They will be divided into arches, filled in with concrete and tiling, of which all the floors will be composed. The interior will present the same general appearance as heretofore, but it will be thoroughly and absolutely fire-proof, no timber at all entering into its construction. The Singer (`ompanv has availed itself of the best of the modern improvements for making the build ing absolutely fire-proof and for the cxtlnguish~ !nent of fires. The stairways will all be hi and ornamental, and three elevators will furnish carrying power. No pai us or x will be spared to make the building absolutely safe from fire. The cost, it Is estimated, will be about $300,000, and it wuU be ready fot occupancy about August 1 next.