Removal of the Philadelphia Record” to its New and Handsome Building, -- For some days past extensive preparations have been going forward looking to the removal to-day of the ital Philadelphia Record, from its old quarters at Third and Chestnut streets to the new and spacious building erected by the proprietor, Wm. M. Singerly, for the purposes of his journal, on Chestnut street, above Ninth, adjoining the new Post-office. A new Hoe perfecting press, and also an old one of similar style, were placed in the cellar the past week, on which part of the edition was run off. In the composing room the gas fixtures have been provided, and new iron frames for the compositors’ cases, the latter containing a new font of type, with which to bring the paper out in a new dress on Monday morning, when it will be issued for the first time from its new quarters, the final steps towards this end being taken to-day in the removal and setting up of the pres at work last night and of some of the heavier portions of the machinery. For a time, the publisher, cashier, bookkeeper and clerks will occupy the offices on the sixth floor, the publication office not being expected to be ready for occupants until the first of next month, at which time the tenants of the other portions of the building will be given possession. A pit has been dug in the basement over which it is intended t place another perfecting press as soon as circumstances may render necessary such addition to the printing machinery. It is the intention of Mr. Singerly to issue a Sunday paper on and after to-morrow week, the size of the sheet being the same as that published daily, but containing, if possible, more reading matter.
The new edifice, which occupies the site of the old Markoe House, purchased by Mr. Singerly, and demolished to make[way] for his imposing structure, has a front of [illegible 100?] feet on Chestnut street, and extends nearly the whole depth of the lot back to Chant street, 220 feet. The material of the front is Fox Island granite, with polished granite trimmings, the eastern corner, adjoining the Post-office having a face of 30 feet, being of the same construction and design as the portion fronting on Chestnut Street. The height of the building, to the top of the cornice, which is eight feet above the roof of the Post-office building, is 96 feet, of modern style with gothic details. In the centre of the front a square iron tower, reached by a spiral staircase from the sixth floor, surmounts the building, and affords a fine view of the city and surrounding country, the elevation being about 147 feet. The openings in the front of the building are very large, the head of one window forming the sill of the other. The lintels are furnished with polished raised panels of massive appearance, decorated beneath with carved leaves. On each side of the entrance there are triple columns each 16 inches in diameter, in two sections, with a band-stone between them. The shafts of these are of heavy dark Quincy granite, polished. The space between the face of the pedestal upon which these columns rest gives a recess entrance to the doorway of six feet. Over the entrance is a semi-circular projection for a statue which it is intended t place there.
The building being of massive design and contructions, the foundations were necessarily made as solid and enduring as possible. There are sixteen foundation piers, each is feet square, and supporting an estimated weight room the corridors above of 240 tons. The height of the basement, which is equally as roomy as any of the six stories above is 15 feet; of the first floor 20 feet; second 15; third, 14; fourth 13 ½ ; fifth 12, and sixth, 16 feet. The basement will be occupied by the press room, engine room and carrier room, the former being 45 by 71 feet with stone floor, and provided with all the latest improvements for printing and prompt delivery of the paper.
The first floor is divided by a [illegible] corridor, running from the main entrance to the rear of the building. On the [west?] side of this corridor is one continuous [store?] room front to rear, supplied with a skylight in the centre. The publication office, 58 feet long and 16 ½ feet wide, and handsomely [furnished?] in hard woods, polished, occupies the front half of the eastern side, with windows on Chestnut street and alongside the Post-office front. Back of this is a wide iron [a___tone?] stairway, leading to the top of the building, by half flights to each floor. Behind the stairway and along the northern end of the eastern side are the offices of the proprietor and cashier, with closets and wash rooms for the clerks and other employees.
The second floor front is one large room at the head of the corridor, the sp[ace?] on the west side and on either side [illegible] the stairway on the east side , being broken up into numerous good-sized communicating rooms, intended as offices for [lawyers?] and others, and all finished in hardwood, in handsome style. The door frames along the corridor are models of richness and elegance, and do not fail to attract the attention of the most casual observer. These rooms have all been rented, as well as those on the third and fourth floors, which, though not finished as elaborately as those on the second floor, correspond in general style. Peirce’s Business College will occupy several of the largest rooms on this floor.
On the fifth floor will be the editorial and reportorial rooms, library, &c each department having space assigned it corresponding to the force employed. At present these are scantily though newly furnished, the design being to fit them up in harmony with the general style of interior finish, as soon as time is given from more pressing demands.
The front half of the sixth floor, 47 by 58 feet, is the composing room, while the other half, in the rear of the stairway, is intended for an extra composing room, stereotype foundry and mailing room. A small elevator in the back part of the building leads from the foundry to the press room, for the delivery and reception of the stereotype plates before and after printing from them, while in front of the stairway a large passenger elevator runs from the basement to the sixth story.
The building, which is fireproof, is to be heated by steam, and every provision has been made to secure proper ventilation, while comfort has been otherwise looked after in supplying the premises with all modern improvements, such as pneumatic tubes, electric call-bells &c.
