The architectural attractions of Fleet-street have gained a conspicuous addition in the handsome front of the Daily Telegraph office just finished, of which we give both an exterior and two interior Illustrations. The principal elevation is of Portland stone, combined with polished Aberdeen granite, which latter rich material is introduced, not as a mere decoration, but for structural purposes. The architects were Messrs. Arding, Bond, and Buzzard, of Surrey-street; and the builder was Mr. Hearn, of Lancaster-gate, Hyde Park. The advertisement office forms a grand hall, more than 90 ft. long, and nearly 40 ft. wide, occupying the whole of the ground floor. Its lofty roof, as shown in our Illustration of the opening soirée there, on Wednesday of last week, is supported in the middle by two rows of fine marble columns, and the floor is paved with large slabs of marble, mostly black and white. The counters and fittings around the hall are of polished oak, and this hall is illuminated by two of the "Standard" Fyfe-main electric lights. It was tastefully decorated for the opening conversazione; and the proprietor, Mr. Edward Lawson, had the honour of showing the premises, with the printing machinery, and other improved appliances, to a party of distinguished visitors, including their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Albany, Prince Lieningen, Count Gleichen, the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, and other persons of rank. The printing department contains ten of Hoe's perfecting machines, each of which can deliver per hour 12,000 copies of the paper with both sides printed. A view of the machine-room is presented in one of our Illustrations. We understand that six of the "Standard" lights are to be furnished by Messrs. Fyfe and Main to the machine-room, besides two already in use in the sorting-room, and others in the corridors.
Source: The Illustrated London News, July 8, 1882, p.42