A PALATIAL ATHLETIC CLUB HOUSE.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7771, 27 January 1891, Page 6

A PALATIAL ATHLETIC CLUB HOUSE.

Turf, Field, and Farm*

The commodious palace on Madison avenue, corner of Forty-* ifth' street, which the Manhattan Athletic Club has been erecting for about two years, was opened recently, and the Building Committee, composed of William J. Swan, chairman; George W. Carr, the club's president; Walton Storm, the club's treasurer, and Warren Sage, a club governor, turned it over to the club, and nearly everything concerning it is now iv complete running order. To do justice to this structure would necessitate several pages. It has been well described at intervals since its erection was commenced, but no one can get an idea of the magnitude, the costliness and completeness of all its parts except by visiting and seeing exactly what is there. The Manhattan Athletic Club is known to have a most enterprising set of leaders. They have combined private ideas and suggestions, and with th 3 aid of Mr P. J. Lauritzen, the architect, have put together a building whlcb, when its beauties are more generally known, will become famous wherever athletic sport is known. It represents in round numbers an outlay of about 800,000dols, and it is difficult to see how a dollar has been spared, for there is simply the best of everything. It would be very unfair to the New York Athletic Club to compare its building with this one, for there is simply no comparison; but It must also be said tbat the building erected by the N.Y.A.C. was much more of a venture aud a greater undertaking at the time than the one of the M.A.C. Anyone inspecting the N.Y.A.C. for the first time would be apt to be Impressed that it was a wonderful institution, but If he should afterwards see the M.A.C. he would consider the other almost obsolete. The M. A. C. builders have had the advantages of experience of former structures erected by several large clubs throughout this country. The N.Y.A.C. was the pioneer, not only in athletic sport but also in erecting a magnificent city club houae, and although this once famous building la now over-shadowed by the grand M A. C. structure, still it must be remembered that Its erection six years ago was a great effort. It proved a success, and the M. A. C. reaps the benefit. It must not be inferred, that the erection of the M. A. C. house has been merely a matter of circumstances. Its originators have made the most of other clubs' experience. They have been observing and devoted a huge amount of personal attention. They should however, feel well satisfied with their results, for the probabilities are there is no institution now existing that has either enterprise or prestige sufficient to beat theM. A. C. present club house. The roominess and magnificence of the swimming bath, bowling alleys and adjoining space, billiard room, dining room, and last of all the gvmnaslum, is noticeable at a glance. A large passenger elevator runs from basement to the roof garden; there is also a freight elevator. The roof garden has a cement floor and is covered by a Spanish tiled roof. It should be very popular in summer for those who wish cooling breezes, and in winter for those who wish ice skating, for the floor is constructed for this latter purpose. The gymnasium is 107 ft long and 97ft wide. Its apparatus needs no description, for there appears to be room for everything, even including such a game as practsilng starts, pole vaulting, or the running broad jump on a small scale. These games need distance, not width, and there is a clear 35yds from wall to wall, and If more run Is wished, a line from corner to corner can be taken, when considerable more distance cau be obtained. The part that athletes will be impressed with in the gymnasium is that, although apparatus seems to be everywhere ou the floor, there Is, when occasion requires, plenty of room for shot-putting, pole-vaulting, high jumping, broad jumping, sprinting to take place at the same time, and tbe permanent apparatus around the walls can accommodate a huge number of aspirants for physical development. There is a private staircase from tbe gymnasium and locker room to the basement, where the Turkish and Russian baths and swimming tank are. The latter is a great privilege in itself. It is 100 ft long, 21 feet wide, 7 feet deep at one end and 4at the other. At the deep end there is a floor space of about 18 feet to allow something of a run for a dive. Most tanks are made so that their ends are close to walls, allowing hardly room to turn round In, let alone having any interested spectator stand there, or permitting an impetus for a dive to be obtained. Along one side of the bath the marble flooring is six or eight feet wide, with chairs at intervals, and onlookers may be able to rest at ease while watching the antics in tbe water. Along the other side of the bath there is a balcony several feet above the water projecting from the wall which runs to the ceiling. This balcony is about three feet wide, and cau be nsed by the swimming instructor in following pupils, and also by spectators. One point which deserves special mention is tbat the whole structure is fireE roof—nothing but stone, brick and Iron eing used in the actual construction. The trimmings are oak and mahogany. The bachelor apartments on the intermediate floor, between the lyceumand gymnasium, are prettily furnished in bamboo. The lyceum will be us?d for theatrical and ball-room purposes, and also club meetings. It has a private entrance from the street, and is totally apart from the rest of the club when occasion requires. To describe the building in one word, it should be said it is absolutely " perfect," and only men familiar with club life and having ideas of their own could combine so successfully its many bold and interesting features. -