Architects and Builders Journal,
May 1904, p. 15
By Architect Paul Burkhard,
20 E. Franklin Street
The
picture above is a reproductions of a perspective view presenting a suggestion
for the rebuilding of the burnt district of Baltimore. The original at this writing is on exhibition
in the office of the architect, 20 East Franklin Street.
The
fundamental idea from which the author started is this: Not to pay too much attention to pretty improvements,
such as widening a few streets and locating here and there miniature so-called
“parks” – in reality, mere squares with a few trees – changes that will not
perceptibly improve the general appearance of the city. Instead of this all effort and expenditure is
to be concentrated on one point with a view to create there an aesthetic center
that will tend to make Baltimore one of the most beautiful cities of the world.
An
available point for such a center Nature herself has provided for the
city. It is the Basin, lying in the very
heart of the city, and the natural beauty of which need only be developed,
instead of being wantonly destroyed as has been done heretofore.
The
suggestions embodied in the author’s design are the following:
1.
All the docks and wharves west of the
power-house are to be removed entirely from this basin. There is sufficient room in other parts of
the harbor, where they will have all needed facilities without spoiling the
aesthetics of the best portion of the city.
2.
All the earth and rubbish from the docks, and
partly, also from the burnt district, is to be used in widening Light street, Pratt
street and the proposed extension of Frederick street along the water side – to
provide for two or four rows of shade trees with ample walks between and
outside these rows.
3.
The first row of block north of the basin (from
Light street to Frederick street) should be entirely reserved for public
buildings. This may seem a bold idea –
yet is it not in direct line with modern thought and progress and with the
consideration that the new city will be built for a future generation? Besides what is impossible for enthusiastic
and patriotic Baltimorean? But if this
idea should be considered unattainable, then at least the central portion of
this area should be used for a public
library or art gallery, and the rest for
private buildings only under certain restrictions as mentioned below.
4.
In the first row of blocks on all sides of the
Basin, no high buildings or “skyscrapers” are to be permitted, all structures
being limited to a maximum height of five or six stories. The erection of tall buildings is, however,
to be permitted in the next and succeeding blocks. These great towering structures, rising
beyond and above the lower but more ornamental building in front, will give the
appearance of a “city of terraces,” the skyscrapers now forming a magnificent
background of an inspiring picture such as a great scenic artist might choose
as an imposing stage setting. Greeting
the spectator standing on Federal Hill or on some pleasure craft in the Basin
they would present one of the grandest architectural panoramas of the world.
5.
South street and Gay street are not to be
carried through to Pratt street, to avoid marring the beauty of the water front
by cutting it into too many small parts.
But the buildings facing the end of these streets are to be constructed
with covered passages or arcades, giving pedestrians a direct route to the
water-front park. Proper disposition of
these arcades with the requisite width and height will afford a splendid view
or diorama through the rows of columns to the water, and this feature of
architectural beauty would more than recompense the frequenters of these
streets for the slight disadvantage that carriages must reach the park and the
Basin through on of the other streets.
The effect would be similar to that of the City Hall of Philadelphia,
but with more majestic portals.
6.
The entrance to the Basin, which will then be
used exclusively as a starting point for pleasure and sporting craft, is to be
marked by two architectural monuments surmounted with statues and facing each
other.
7.
North Charles street, as the main promenade
street, is to be connected with the water front by a public square in the
diagonal of the Basin, allowing a direct view of and an easier access to the
water from that street.
8.
All minor and less radical changes and improvements,
however desirable they may appear, are, if necessary, to be sacrificed to the
one great idea – to make the city of Baltimore what it ought to be.
It is true that the carrying out of
this idea will cost money – a great deal of money. But all the details of this design need not
be carried out at once. It is only
necessary now to make the requisite plan and provision their eventual completion.
At least it is certain that the
realization of this ideal will be fully worth its cost. Aside from its aesthetic and educational
influence upon our people, and especially the rising generation, its product of
civic pride, patriotism and loyal citizenship, it would be as good a business
investment as nay city on earth ever made.
For Baltimore would thenceforth engage the attention of travelers of all
nations, as a spot where the beauty of
nature, the beauty of architectural art, and last, but not least, the famed
beauty of Baltimore’s women, all would unite to form an aesthetic and
recreative center of extraordinary charm.
Whoever has seen the famous Alster
Basin with the “Jungfernstieg” at Hamburg, or the great natural charms of the
Swiss cities of Zuerich, Luzerne and Geneva, grouped around the curving shores
of limpid blue lakes, or the magnificent panorama of Naples and its bay will
readily realize that no higher effect is attainable in city architecture than
by designing parks, streets and buildings into an artistic hand harmonious
scheme with a beautiful and animated body of water.
In the large parks of New York and
Chicago and the other large cities, where natural advantages were lacking, the
landscape artists have produced an animated and picturesque effect by
artificial lakes and reservoirs.
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