資料2 記事全文
The “best hotel east of the Suez Canal”- that is the ideal that Mr. Aisaku Hayashi, Manager of the Imperial Hotel, hopes to attain in the new hostelry to be built under the direction of the present hotel. The plan of constructing another building for the hotel had been evolving since early last year, as reported in the Japan Times at the time, and it was finally approved and decided upon at the recent directors meeting. An idea of the new building can be had from the announcement that the total cost of the new structure is estimated at 2,000,000 yen.
The site for the building has not yet teen selected, but Mr. Hayashi thinks he has to have an area of 4,000 tsubo of even more, the building itself taking up 1,500 tsubo. The Manager expects to complete the plans as to the details in the summer, and work will begin by the end of the present year at the latest. While Mr. Hayashi himself will superintend the work in general, an American expect will see to the engineering works.
The building will exhibit both the grace of Japanese structure and the beauty of European architecture.? The style of the Nara period will be largely adopted, and the building in its appearance will resemble the Hoodo, Byodoin Temple, Uji. It is to be of steel frame and concrete, with granite trimmings, and will stand on stone foundations, twenty feet above the ground-Kyoto tiles will be used on the roof. Special care will be taken to make the building absolutely proof against fire and earthquake.
The basement, which will be above the ground level, will comprise a grill-room, billiard-room, swimming-tank, bar, barber-shop, etc.
: On the ground floor there will, be the offices, social public rooms, in all numbering about twenty-five; a capacious ball room, accommodating as many as 800; rooms of various sizes for dinner parties, and a large hall for public gatherings, seating about 1,200. A special suite of rooms with a private entrance will also be provided on this floor for national guests.
About 250 bed-chambers will be arranged on the first, second, and third doors. A majority of those rooms will be connected with private baths. The latest American style of plumbing, giving abundant amount of hot and cold water, will be used throughout the building. The best heating and ventilation systems will be provided. All those mechanical and engineering works will be directed by an American specialist. Other features of the new hostelry will be special dining rooms on the 4th floor for summer guests, and a roof garden.
The rooms for Japanese guests will be furnished in foreign style, while foreigners will find comfort in rooms with typical Japanese furnishing.
“The idea to be kept in view throughout,” remarked Manager Hayashi, “is to give comfort and luxury to guests. As the general style of the building is Japanese, the internal furnishing will have much of the Japanese atmosphere. In short, we hope to make it a hotel of Japanese beauty and European comfort.”