Editing The Dakota (section)

===Structural features===
[[File:Arched entrance to the Dakota Building NYC.jpg|thumb|Vaulted driveway leading into the courtyard]]
The Dakota was designed as a fireproof structure. According to construction plans, the foundation walls were made of bluestone blocks, extended {{cvt|10|to|18|ft}} deep, and measured {{cvt|3|to|4|ft}} thick.<ref name="p88892979" /><ref name="NPS (1976) p. 2" /><ref name="Alpern p. 53">{{harvnb|Alpern|2015|ps=.|p=53}}</ref> The perimeter walls tapered in thickness from {{cvt|28|in}} at the first story to {{cvt|16|in}} above the sixth story.<ref name="LC p. 135" /><ref name="NPS (1976) p. 2" /><ref name="Alpern p. 53" />{{efn|The thicknesses of the exterior walls varied at different stories:<ref name="LC p. 135" /><ref name="NPS (1976) p. 2" /><ref name="Alpern p. 53" />
* First story: {{cvt|24|to|28|in}}
* Second to fourth stories: {{cvt|20|to|24|in}}
* Fifth and sixth stories: {{cvt|16|to|20|in}}
* Seventh to ninth stories: {{cvt|12|to|16|in}}
}} The [[superstructure]] includes rolled steel beams on each floor, spaced every {{cvt|3|to|4|ft}} and measuring  {{cvt|6|to|12|in}} deep. Between these rolled beams were brick or terracotta arches.<ref name="NPS (1976) p. 2" /><ref name="Alpern p. 53" /> The floor surfaces consist of {{cvt|9|in|cm|-thick|adj=mid}} earthen subfloors above 9-inch-thick slabs of concrete.<ref name="LC p. 135" /><ref name="p1326077730">{{cite news |last=Wing |first=William G. |date=May 10, 1961 |title=Its 95 Happy Tenants Want to Buy the Dakota |page=14 |work=New York Herald Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1326077730}}}}</ref><ref name="AF p. 126">{{harvnb|Architectural Forum|1959|p=126}}; {{harvnb|Alpern|2015|ps=.|p=131}}</ref> Partitions in the hallways are made of "fireproof blocks", while partitions in other parts of the building are made of either "fireproof blocks" or brick.<ref name="NPS (1976) p. 2" /> The thick walls, floor slabs, and partitions also provided noise insulation.<ref name="Hawes p. 99" /><ref name="NPS p. 3" /><ref name="Reynolds p. 229">{{harvnb|Reynolds|1994|ps=.|p=229}}</ref> The strength of the Dakota's superstructure rivaled that of contemporary office buildings.<ref name="LC p. 135" />

The mechanical plant to the west measured {{cvt|150|by|60|by|18|ft}} and contained electrical generators, steam boilers, and steam engines. The plant's roof was constructed of brick arches and iron beams, and the garden was planted above it.<ref name="nyt-1884-10-22" /><ref name="NPS (1976) p. 5" /> The generators became obsolete in the 1890s after the neighborhood was connected to the city's power grid, and the boilers and engines were relocated to the Dakota's basement.<ref name="Alpern p. 46" /> The steam plant in the basement, as well as the building's hydraulic elevators, were powered by water that was collected from the roof and from underneath each apartment's radiators.<ref name="Hawes p. 100"/><ref name="AF p. 128; Alpern p. 133"/> The radiators in each apartment were placed under the window sills.<ref name="AF p. 128; Alpern p. 133">{{harvnb|Architectural Forum|1959|p=128}}; {{harvnb|Alpern|2015|ps=.|p=133}}</ref>

The basement had a [[coal bunker]] with a capacity of {{cvt|1000|ST|t|sp=us}}.<ref name="nyt-1933-11-21" /><ref name="Alpern p. 107" /> From the beginning, the building was equipped with "a complete system of electric communication", including electric bells that were used to request the elevators.<ref name="nyt-1884-10-22" /><ref name="NPS (1976) p. 5" /> The Dakota had telegraph wires leading to a florist's shop, a fire station, a nearby stable, and the messenger's and telegraph offices.<ref name="Hawes p. 97" /> There were 300 electric bells and 4,000 electric lights, all powered by the mechanical plant.<ref name="Hawes p. 97" /><ref name="Stern (1999) p. 564" /> The attic had six water tanks, each with a capacity of {{cvt|5000|gal|L|sp=us}}. The pumps could draw up to {{cvt|2|e6gal|L|sp=us}} of water per day, and over {{cvt|200|mi}} of pipes delivered water to each apartment.<ref name="nyt-1884-10-22" /><ref name="NPS (1976) p. 6" /><ref name="Stern (1999) p. 564" />