As the firm expanded, the city experienced significant growth in size and wealth, becoming taller and more prosperous. However, this growth came with drawbacks. The urban environment transformed, marred by pollution and danger. The streets became enveloped in a thick haze filled with soot and smoke, severely limiting visibility to only a block at times, particularly during the colder months when coal furnaces operated at full capacity.

This stark contrast between the city's development and its deteriorating conditions highlights the challenges of urbanization. The same progress that led to prosperity also resulted in environmental degradation and increased risks for its inhabitants, exemplifying the dual nature of rapid industrial growth.