The new building will occupy not only the land of the two old houses to be demolished, but also the entire garden area to the west and the slope to the north, right up to the Gare du Flon. On that side, there will be no less than nine floors - almost the size of one of the famous Chicago sky scrapers! On the Rue du Grand-Chêne, however, even the tip of the cornice will not exceed the regulatory height of 18 meters. Large enough for spacious stores with mezzanines and for three floors of apartments, the Maison will be fully constructed out of cut stone - probably Arvel stone -, like the Château d'Ouchy. It will have great style and elegance. The meticulously designed facade on Rue du Grand-Chêne includes gables at both ends, and, at about a third of its length, a pointed bellturret. To the west, on the Montbenon side, and to the north, facing the Grand-Pont, the uniformity of the facades will be disrupted by architectural motifs that are suited to the general character of the building and that jut out from the walls and roofs.

A final point that touches the entire population of Lausanne, Mr. Mercier plans to build a large stairway in front of the building to the west, which will connect the Montbenon entrance to the funicular station. Negotiations to this effect have begun with the municipality. Let us hope that they arrive at an agreement.

It should be added that Mr. Mercier's building, which will be a significant embellishment to this part of the city, will be equipped with an elevator, a freight elevator, central steam heating and a small plant especially for the production of electric heating.