Construction

Architectural Style:
    French Second Empire

Construction Start: January 3, 1871
Construction Complete: June 26, 1901 (30 years)

Architects:
    John McArthur - Principal architect from beginning (Jan. 3, 1871) to his death (Jan. 8, 1890)
    John Ord - Appointed architect from McArthur's death (Jan. 8, 1890) to resignation (Nov. 1893)
    W.Bleddyn Powell - Replaced Ord (Nov. 1893) to end of project (June 26, 1901)

Sculptor:
    Alexander Milne Calder (1846-1923)

Construction Management:
    The Commission for the Erection of Public Buildings - created by the State especially for City Hall's construction

 McArthur

Construction Trivia

  • Principal Exterior Materials : Marble, Granite, Limestone
  • Weight of largest stone: 36 tons
  • Dimensions of largest stone: 20ft. x 13ft.
  • Excavation (dirt removed) : 141,500 cu. yds.
  • Concrete used  (foundations): 20,000 cu. yds.
  • Foundation stone used : 636,000 sq. ft.
    		•  Construction - 1871
  • Exterior Granite Used (Maine) : 98,000 sq. ft.
  • Exterior Marble Used (Massachusetts) : 730,000 sq.ft.
  • Dressed Sandstone Used: 50,000 sq.ft.
  • Bricks used: 88,300,000 (88 million hand made hard bricks & 300,000 pressed & enameled bricks)
  • Slate used: 80,000 sq.ft.
  • Wrought & Cast Iron Used: 27,000 tons
  • Bronze Used: 371,346 pounds
  • Copper wire for electric lights : 30 miles
  • Lights installed as of 1891 : 10,400
  • 5 years to chisel walls for electric wires
  • Pigeons: Bird guano removed in 1993 birdproofing contract: 37 tons
    		•  1874 construction

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