THE PRIDE OF THE CITY
The Grand West Hotel Being Rapidly Prepared for Its Early Opening.
Magnificent Public House. the Equal of Any in tho Country.
Arrangements and Conveniences of the Best and Fittings of the Richest.
A Descriptive Detail of the Splendid Structure and Appointments— A Magnificent Building.
Everything that Money Can Procure and Man Invent Utilized—The Building Complete.
But two weeks remain before the new West Hotel will open its doors to the public. The magnificent great structure that graces the corner of Hennepin Avenue and Fifth Street will not at that time be fully finished in many of its minor details, but it will be sufficiently near completion to sustain its claim as the handsomest and most perfect Louse of its kind in the country. The national encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic which is to be held during the first week that the hotel is in readiness to entertain guests, will be an event appropriate in its extent and grandeur to the importance of tho opening. Both will be notable occasions. 
More especially will the latter be important to the city and State, in giving to Minneapolis and Minnesota an edifice of which the whole world will be proud. The noble walls of the West Hotel, that now team with the artisan and every form of labor and resound through every hour of the twenty-four from morning to morning with the drive of devotion to duty, will so soon reflect the bustling scene of activity attendant upon ever popular and prosperous hostelry, that it is easy to give fancy free rein and let it bridge the short interim. The house, with its bold and beautiful architecture, imposing in magnitude and pleasing in novelty of design design, has become.
FAMILIAR BY REFERENCE
If not by sight. to countless numbers at distance, as well as to the actual residents of the city claiming its its possession. Proudly overlooking every other block and building, the West stands without a peer in the West, and equaling in its arrangements, its conveniences, its attractions, its promises. the best to be found in all the broad range from Massachusetts Bay to tho Golden Gate. A millionaire’s wealth has lavished with princely hand in bringing every particular to a condition that will be beyond criticism and can not fail to be endorsed as gratifying and satisfactory to the fullest. In view of the approaching introduction of the hotel as a resort destined to win high honor, a review of its brief history and presentation of its prominent points comes properly at time.
A LITTLE HISTORY
The building of a new hotel was first talked of in 1881. The rapid advance of Minneapolis toward metropolitan consequence, brought with it the want of increased accommodations for the traveling people. In the fall of that year the matter took such definite form that it was derided to begin the erection of the house in the following spring. No time was lost when the question had been finally settled. Mr. Charles W. West appreciated the situation, and to think was to act. Buffington, the architect was called on for plans meeting Mr. West’s wishes. That the artist arose to the requirements is seen today in the hotel that bears its builder’s name. The excavation for tho foundation was started on as early in the spring of as possible, and at the approach of cold weather the bed work was done. In the spring of 1883 the brick laving was started and soon after last winter’s advent the building was under cover.
THE H0TEL
The ground dimensions are 174 x 196 feet. The first measurement being on the Hennepin Avenue side, and the latter on Fifth Street, with a clear way of 30 feet surrounding the four sides. The material used in the construction is Joliet marble for the first story and part of the second, with the remainder of red pressed brick and terra-cotta. With the basement there are nine floors to the house. The architecture gives the lower story a solidity of appearance seldom seen. The two entrances, one on Hennepin Avenue and the other on Fifth Street, are marvels of massive and elaborate carvings and pillared work, while above is the lighter work in brick, abrupt and original in its lines, yet charming in the perspective. The highest elevation is to the top of the tower, that is 200 feet from the ground level. From the ground to the roof is 128 feet, to the gable 143 feet, and to the platform of the tower, 155 feet.
THE DECORATIONS.
The draping and decorations of the hotel,gotten up expressly for the occasion were exquisite.The exchange was gorgeous. Draped in rich cardinal on all sides, with the large portrait of the late Chas. W. West forming the centre piece directly over the office. It is from the brush of a Minneapolis aspiring artist, Herbert Costner, and is a masterpiece. In looking at it one can scarcely realize that was executed in less than twenty-four hours.
The large dining hall in which the banquet was held. presented a veritable scene of beauty, and reflected much credit upon the artists who designed and executed it. The floral display was profuse and beautiful. The arrangements for receiving and entertaining the guests were very complete and systematic. As fast as they arrived each guest gave his name to the clerk, who in return handed them a ticket with a number corresponding with the seat at the table. On entering the banquet ball these tickets were handed to ushers who escorted the guest to the proper place, thereby the confusion usually attendant upon banquets in which a large number of people participated, was entirely avoided.
THE SECOND FLOOR
is divided into the grand dining room, three smaller dining rooms, the kitchen, serving room, Ladies’ ordinary tour parlors, gent’s club room, and four suites of private rooms for bridal parties and distinguished guests. Tho leading dining room will be 50 X 100 feet, tho smaller apartments for the same use 20 feet square each. the ordinary 40 X 50, the kitchen 50×83, the serving room 24 x28, the parlors from 20 feet square to 24 x 2S, the club room 24 x 28 feet, and the four suites of equally generous dimensions. A splendid feature of this floor will be the corridor, from 16 to 2 8feet wide and 300feet long. All the flooring will be of marble, except in the parlors and suites, carpet of tho richest kind being used there. The walls will be wainscoted with marble and mahogany, with the ceiling of carved mahogany in panels. The grand dining room is intended to be the finest beyond all possible question of any in America. The floor is of the purest of white marble, with the finishing in mahogany in Moorish style, the carving being exquisite.
THE UPPER FLOORS
The third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth floors will be apportioned to sleeping apartments, 407 in number. Each floor will be a duplicate of the other, with three wide flights of stairs communicating from one to the other. Scattered through these floors will be 150 bath rooms. Every room in the house will have hot and cold water. These apartments will be from 20 feet square to 12 X 20 feet, and will he furnished either in mahogany or cherry. The building from top to bottom will be absolutely fire proof. Architect Buffington has personally superintended all the work as it has progressed, and gives assurance that not one defect exists, The elevators were run for the first time yesterday, and the entire working force are in the city awaiting Manager Shepard’s orders. The hotel corps will consist of 200 of which forty will be waiters. Among the rich additions yet to be made is a colored glass scene, representing Bacchus and his followers, to be placed in a conspicuous position in an annex to the billiard hall. The glass will be 4 x 24feet, and will cost several thousands of dollars in the preparation for opening, the carpets of the upper floors are already down.
SIXTY THOUSAND YARDS
of the best Wiltons and velvets, they being furnished by the Minneapolis house Folds & Griffith. The contract for the furniture will be filled by a Cincinnati manufacturing company of high repute, the total figure to be expended being $120.O00 The West Hotel will have cost, on the day it is pronounced
completed in every way, as estimated, a million and a halt of dollars.
Minneapolis Sunday Tribune- July 6th, 1884
