 Henry and Frederick Chase, brothers who owned the eponymous brass company, not only the largest in the city but the country, along with the world's largest clock factory, saw how the clock tower created a new focal point along Grand Street.They felt that the street should now be the main route into downtown, worthy of its name, and developed a 20-year plan to remake it.In line with the principles of the contemporary City Beautiful movement, they felt it should be the location of a "court of honor" of newer, grander city hall, and other important public and private buildings.