The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-27
THE BUILDING PROSPECTS
Opening of the Season Among Archi-
tects and Contractors.
a Busy Spring Ahead-Few Costly Build
ings, but Many Small Houses to Be
Ereeted-Healthy Indications.

AAhoSbSu-ledlIny 1ntiicabiOhSs
A representative of the Journal made tour
among the architects and builders of this city
yesterday to learn what the building prospects
were for the coming The spring is SO
backward, nearly a month behind the usual
time, that most of the gentlemen were reluctant
TO express an opinion, and were not particularly
enthusiastic. But enough was gathered to jus
tify the conclusion that the season will be an
unusually busy one, though there are yet but
lew surface indications of the fact Most OF the
work reported is for small dwellings, both for
owners and Co rent, which has been stimulated
by the great demand last year for that class of
dwellings, and which is considered conclusive
evidence of steady and healthy growth in the
clty's population. Plans and contracts for fine
residences are comparatively few, and those
which will cost over $4,000 are very few.
Messrs Shower & Christian, contractors, con-
slider the prospects for a building boom most ex-
cellent They say estimates being made for
a greater number of residences, especially the
smaller and cheaper class to rent, than for five
years previous. Sul, they are making contracts
for quite number of houses to cost from 81 800
to $1,000. They are employing more men now
IMAM Is customary at this season, but still will
not make contracts for cheap houses this early,
depending upon the demand later when they
expect to employ large number of additional
hands Among the contracts now In hand are:
For Barnes Bros, brick hotel to contain about
twenty rooms, on Massachusetts avenue OPP
posiJe the station, to eNst about $4,000; i'm
provements to the New York store, $4,000.
Plans are also in course of preparation for ex-
tensive additions to the Bates House, but
not far enough advanced to give particulars.
AVRNnr f1NA4r -
W. P. Bams, of the Union Railway Company, at
Terre Haute, to cost 81, 900, and improvements to
the residence of Col. e. II. Wolfe at Rushville,
which will require an outlay of $4,000. In an
ticipstion of a heavy seasons work, the firm has
laid in a stock OF 100000 feet of lumber,
chiefly of the hardwood varieties.
Mr.. W. II. Fulton, of Massachusetts avenue,
reports excellent prospects. He gives particular
attention to the erection of small dwellings, and
says there will be an immense number of these
built this season. So far as his observation goes.
nine of every ten of these will be occupied by
the owners, a most excellent indication of the
growing prosperity of the city. Among his con-
tracts are a new residence for DR.. Haggart. to
cost 50, 100, and one for Yinson Carter. to cost
$4,000.
Peter Routier reports that he has but a few
contracts for this season of large buildings, and
doesn't thlnk there VIII be much OF boom.
Still his list shows some fine improve
ments, among which are the wing
10 the city hospital, $4,000; the hew Pan
handle freight depot SlS 900; the Scottish Rite
block, $4,000; Failey's new Sarven-wheel
works, First street and the canal, 100000
shop for + r. Rouse on Maryland street, near
the / c. IL L. railroad, 81, 000 the finishing of
neat residence OH the corner of Meridian and
Vermont streets for Mr.. James Douglas at a cost
of $1,000, and an addition to the office of Crown
Hill Cemetery to cost $3.50. All of this work is in
course of construction and will be finished in
from two to four months. Mr.. Routier says the
price OF material generally is about the same
last year except lumber, which is from 81 TO 50
per 1000 feet lower, and this stimulates build
Ing operations to some extent.
p. Daggett & Co. do not consider the out
look particularly encouraging for the architects,
as too many small houses are being erected with
out their AID They are putting mp residence
for Thomas E Chandler, on Vermont street,
to cost $4,000; three-story warehouse for
street, ana a residence for renting purposes for
James G Blythe, OF the Indiana National Bank,
on North Tennessee street, to cost $4,000 They
also have some contracts for fine residences in
Peru, ShelbyvIlle and other places in this State.
e. H. Ketcham is very busy preparing plans,
and anticipates a boom in building He saws
the indications are better than for n long time
past. He has the plans for the new Plymouth
Church all ready, and expects that the contract
for its erection will soon be awarded. He has
also in preparation designs for quite number
of handsome residences in the city, to cost from
$4,000 to $4,000. the contracts for which will be
let during the next three or four weeks. Among
the houses erected by him last season was the
elegant residence OF H. w. Hibben, on Meridian
street, which is said TO be one of the most beau
tlfully finished inside in Indianapolis.
j. Ii. d A. II. Stem are devOtinG most of their
attention to the city hall, consequently
have let designs for small houses 90 by them.
However, they have furnished the plans for
splendid residence for Mr.. II. G. c. Balls to be
erected on the old Butler place, in the northeast
part OF the city. The house is to be of the Queen
Anne style of architecture, of rOughsstOne for the
first story, and English tile for the second. The
cost of this will be about 81 900. They also are
erecting house for w. +. Stilz Esq, on Penn
sylvania street, to cost IS, 100. Among their
outside contracts is improvements and additions
to the residence of Hon. VIII Cumback, at
GreensburG, to cost $4,000
d. A Bohlen thinks tue prospects fair, but
says those contemplating building are still too
undecided to give any particulars concerning
his business. He has furnished plans for a resi-
dence for Chris. G. Hohl, on the corner of
Chatham and Walnut Streets to cost 81, 900.
He is also preparing plans for the new orphan
asylum on North Tennessee street.
Heebner IL Miller say the Is not vet
far enough advanced to form much of an idea of
the prospects, but think the indications point TO
d busy one. They report that the bulk of the
buildings will be of the cottage style, for rent.
Among their outside contracts is Catholic
parochial school building at New Albany, to cost
$4,000.
From the opinions of other contractors and
architects the conclusion is reached that the
season just opening will see the erection of a
great number OF just such houses as the city has
long demanded; and one fact is, that there need
be fear of too many of this class, every
one heard of was engaged as soon as the con-
tract was let.