BECK HALL TILT REACHES CLIMAX

Yesterday afternoon at the hearing of the Beck Hall Trust before the Board of Appeals, E. S. Emery '87, Assistant Comptroller of the University, field a formal objection to the erection of the projected ten story apartment building planned by the Trust. This opposition from Harvard puts an entirely new aspect upon the proposed improvement of the Beck Hall property.

The plans for the building specify a ten story structure of 100 feet in height with stores on the first floor, and office suites on the second floor. The city building ordinance restricts the height of buildings in that zone to eighty feet. The restrictions of the ordinance would have to be set aside before construction on the apartments could begin. Mr. Emery, in speaking before the board wished to know what assurance adjacent property owners would have, once the zoning restrictions had been laid to one side, that any sort of objectionable structure might not later be erected on the property. The possibility of stores on the Harvard Street side also seems to be viewed with alarm by college authorities.

If the petition is granted it will mean that construction will begin within two or three months. Beck Hall will be torn down at that time, notwithstanding the present student residents. G. P. Davis '14, trustee of the property, stated, however, that arrangements would be made for the protection of those who are now living there.

Mr. Davis also said that he thought it was extremely doubtful that a possibility existed for students of the University to room in the new apartments. This will be the first time since 1876 when Beck Hall was first built that it has not been inhabited by members of the University. The original building cost approximately 100,000 dollars.

The plans for the new building show the main entrance on Harvard Street with stores along Quincy Square and Massachusetts Avenue. The exterior has not been definitely settled upon but it is thought that for the first two stories it will be composed of stone and above that of stone and brick.