SKYSCRAPERS OF 75 STOREYS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19770, 7 November 1929, Page 4

SKYSCRAPERS OF 75 STOREYS.

A VISION OF THE FUTURE. Co-operative development of entire city blocks into sky-scrapers from 60 to 75 storeys in height was envisaged for the near future by Mr W. C. Clark, economist, who has just completed a two-year study of the economic aspect of sky-scrapers for the American Institute of Steel Construction. Mr Clark presented a summary of his report at. a luncheon just given by the American Institute of Steel Construction at the Engineers' Club in New York. The report, vrhich was characterised as monumental in conceftion. is soon to be published in book form by the InatiThe purpose of the study was to find to what extent the building of skr-scrapers is economically advisable. Engineers, it was found, were envisaging skv-scrapers of 2000 feet a.s structurally possible, while critics were protesting against sky-scrapers a* economicallv unsound. The' study, Mr Clark said, proved that sky-scraper construction is not oulv economically sound, but the most satisfactory solution of the building problem in congested areas. In his studv he was assisted by a group of prominent architects, engineers, construction experts, and renting agents, whose conclusions were based upon investigations of specific plans of eight different buildings drawn especially for the purpose. . A typical area of one block in the Grand Central Terminal zone in New York City was chosen and plans drawn for buildmgs of eight different heights ranging from eight to 75 storeys. Construction and maintenance costs were computed for each building and balanced with net income estimated at current iental rates. Assuming a land value of 200 dollars a square foot, it was found that, a. point of maximum economic returns was reached in a building of 03 storeys, in which case the income was estimated at 10.25 per cent. Returns from an eight-storey building were calculated at 4.22 per cent. After 63 storevs. it was found that the returns would decrease, and that at 130 storeys thev would disappear. Assuming a land value of 400 dollars, it was found that the building would furnish maximum returns at a height of 75 storeys. The point of maximum returns, it was said, is not constant, but varies according to the cost of land and other related factors. Regardless of the other claims of those who oppose sky-scraper construction. Mr Clark said if it could be proved that the sky-scraper was economically unsound, the whole battle against it would be won. The problem of providing sufficient light and ventilation, be said, is solved better by having one tal! taj>ering sky-scraper on each block than by having several similer buildings. It may orove the only way. lie said, for the several interests occupying a block area to build most advantageously to construct a single sky-scraner unit on a co-operative basis. To keep in step with this develonment, Mr Clark also envisaged doufile or triple decked streets ' and arcaded sidewalks.