1877 Y-4? ? Houses for A. S. Abell (6).

West side of Charles, South of North Ave, Baltimore, MD.
"North Charles Street Dwelling Improvements. - Mr. A. S. Abell is having finished a row of six three-story mrble front and French roof dwellings on the west side of North Charles street, south of Boundary avenue, which are of handsome design, substantial in workmanship, and are attractive additions to that rapidly improving section of North Baltimore. The house at the northern end of the row, corner of a 20-foot alley, is 19 feet, and the others are 18 feet 3 inches front; all are 66 1/2 feet deep on 150 feet lots. The cornice and moulding over outside doors and windows, and the entire dormer windows are of marble, with ornamental carving and heavy cresting on the mansard roofs. The windows are fitted with polished plate glass, and there is a neat balcony at each of the first and second-story front windows. The vestibules are of Italian and Tennessee marbles, and have sliding doors. The interiors are in polished hard woods, in the natural grain, and a feature is the cheerful blending of colors throughout. Sagliola columns are at each side of the main hallways, the stairways have heavily carved newels and ornamental balustrades, and the view on entering from the front is quite attractive. On the main floors are, besides the hallways, the parlor, extension and dining-rooms, with fully appointed butler's pantry and dumb-waiter. In the upper stories are an amplitude of chambers, with dressing-rooms attached, containing fixed wardrobes and marble-top washstands, which, with the closets, are intended to save cost in furnishing. The exterior walls are stripped to keep out dampness; the floors are double, and deadened in an effectual manner on a new plan. Skylight/wells give light and ventilation at both main and back stairways, and the chambers have interior ventilation by means of large transoms over every door. The walls to level of joists of the first floor are laid in hydraulic cement, to secure strength and avoid moisture from the earth, and the basement floors are bedded in cement and are rat proof. The hearths are laid on iron arches so that they are fire proof as regards heating. The houses are furnished with the latest by Wm. J. Wood & Co., improved ranges of handsome finish, and the basement kitchens are fitted with all late improvements. The drainage of the lots and houses is perfectly accomplished by a system of sewers, into which house fixtures are trapped securely, and conveyed to the street sewer three hundred feet from the buildings. Bells are in every room, and speaking tubes for each story. Carefulness in attention to details of workmanship has been the rule observed, with the view to securing substantial and nearly perfect construction. Mr. Charles E. Cassell, architect and supervisor, J. Hebert Williams superintendent of carpenter's work; Hugh Hanna did the marble work of the fronts, Sisson & Son, vestibules, mantles and tiling; Stevens & Foos, bricklaying; Patrick Carey, plumbing; Mr. Garretson plastering; Mr. Wilhelm, tinning, Emmart & Wartley, painting; Mr. Krug, iron work; Mr. Reindollar, stair-building; John Stewart, bells, tubes and hardware; slating by Garth and Lowensten. (Baltimore Sun, 10/31/1877).
White marble. (Baltimore Sun, 2/24/1896).
Description, (Baltimore Sun, 10/31/1877).