Editing Hotel Chelsea (section)

=== Structural and mechanical features ===
The Hotel Chelsea has thick [[load-bearing wall]]s made of masonry, which measure {{convert|3|ft|m||adj=}} thick at their bottoms<ref name="Tippins p. 5" /><ref name="Dowd 1983" /> and taper to {{Convert|20|in|m}} at their tops. This allowed the [[superstructure]] to support the weight of two additional stories if the building were expanded.<ref name="Archard 1885" /> The walls support floor beams made of [[wrought iron]]; these floor beams are not supported by intermediate columns, creating large column-free spaces.<ref name="NYCL-0215" /> The floor beams were covered with plaster to prevent fire from spreading.<ref name="Archard 1885" /><ref name="Tippins p. 5" /> As another fireproofing measure, the hotel used as little wood as possible.<ref name="Archard 1885" /> Ceilings measured {{convert|12|to|14|ft}} high.<ref name="Stephenson 1963">{{Cite news |last=Stephenson |first=Francis M. |date=April 21, 1963 |title=A Salute to the Dowager of 23d Street |page=5 |newspaper=[[New York Daily News]]|via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-a-salute-to-the-dowager-of-23/133570891/ |access-date=October 17, 2023 |archive-date=October 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021215829/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-a-salute-to-the-dowager-of-23/133570891/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The basement measured up to {{Convert|30|ft}} deep and housed the kitchen, laundry, refrigerators, coal rooms, engines, and machinery for gas-powered and electric light.<ref name="New-York Tribune 1884" /> As planned, the hotel had three passenger elevators and two steam-powered freight lifts.<ref name="Archard 1885" /><ref name="The Manufacturer and Builder: a Practical Journal of Industrial Progress 1883" /> When it was completed in 1884, the hotel had [[speaking tube]]s; pressurized steam; a telephone in each room, connecting to the hotel manager's office; and 1,800 lights powered by either gas or electricity.<ref name="Archard 1885" /><ref name="Tippins p. 5" /> The hotel contained then-innovative features such as electricity, steam heating, and hot and cold water.<ref name="Detroit Free Press 1884" /> [[Dumbwaiter]]s transported food from the basement kitchen to each floor.<ref name="Tippins p. 29">{{Harvnb|Tippins|2013|p=29|ps=.}}</ref>