Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-02-10

yIEwS-"THE FLATS" IN wAsHINGTON-THE
COLUMBIAN PREPARATORY sCH0OL-THE NET
ROPoLITAN CLUB HOUSE, AND OTHER NOTABLE
IMPROVEMENTS.
The demand for houses both from those who
wish to buy AMI those who propose to rent has
been remarked upon by dealers as the feature OF
the real estate market in this city during the
past year. The constant accessons to our popu-
lation Of people, who make this their winter
residence, as well as those whom the growing
business Of the executive departments adds to
the civil service is the foundation OF this
demand. The new residents must have homes,
and hence the new houses springing up in all
parts of the city is the legitimate
response to the wants Of growing
population. The activity In the real estate
market is. therefore, not speculative move
ment. The record of the last season proves this
conclusively, and as pointed out In the annual
report OF the inspector OF buildings the amount
of money invested in building operations ex-
ceeded that of the previous year, although at
the very outset Of last season there was an ap-
probable advance both in the price Of labor and
material. In the price of labor this advance
was as much as 20 per cent. yet in spite of the
increased cost extensive building operations
were carried on. =.
THE DEMAND FOR HOUSES
still continues. and there is. therefore, not much
speculation as to the prospects for the season,
which will open with the termination of the
cold weather. That there will be a good deal of
building goes without saying with those
acquainted with the state of affairs here, and
the only question that arises is what will be its
extent! 1t seems to be generally conceded that
the answer to this question depends upon
whether there Is an advance in the price Of labor
and material. If the cost Of building is in
creased in this way, great many will
refuse to invest their money, with the idea
Of waiting until cheaper rates prevail.
An interesting topic then just at present is the
probability of an advance in the price OF mate
rial and labor A STAR reporter has made care
tul inquiries among those posted in regard to
the prices of materials and has ELECTED the pre-
diction that there will be no material advances
in prices. In regard to bricks, it is thought
that owing to the present supply being pretty
well taken up by large contracts that will be be-
gun In the spring, there will be slight advance
early In the season. but as the new bricks come
On the market the prices will return to the pres
ent figure.
THE PRICE OF LABOR
1t Is further aseertained that probably, as a
rule, the building trades will not ask for in
creased wages this season. but will be satisfied
with the present rates. The only exception are
the painters who have already asked for an in
crease to So per day. The rate of wages at pre-
sent for the various building trades are as fol-
observation-disclosures. "a per day; carpenters, 81. so
to 81; painters, SO 50; plasterers, $3.50; plumb
ers, 50 and 50 So iron workers, So: laborers 80,
timers, $3.50 and So; stone cutters, So and
$3.50; turner's and screw sawyers, S..
SOME OF THE LARGE sBRING CONTRACTS.
The question of the advance in the rates Of
material, and, as some maintain, the rates also
for labor, will depend in great measure upon
the amount of work to be done. If there is a
good deal of building. and, in consequence, a
large demand both for labor and material, the
prices for both will tend to higher rates. As far
as the amount of work is concerned. it is vet
too early in the season to predict with any GER
tanty as to the extent that individuals will
engage in building. There are, however.
several large contracts that will be carried on
in the spring. The work on the Pension Office
building will be pushed forward as soon as the
weather Will permit, and will give employment
to large number Of workmen. Then there are
the new flats on 10th street. large brick build
ing which will cost $3.50 900. The extension to
the Portland Flats will involve an expenditure
of 81. 600.
THE POPULARITY OF THE FLATS.
This addition to building, which is already
OF great size. indicates how popular the style
Of living to which such buildings are adapted
has become in this city. the suite of rooms are
rented at prices for which an entire house in a
good locality can be obtained, and yet the pres
ent supply Of flats apartments are not sufficient
to meet the demand. The cause Of this popu-
larity is found in the social surroundings which
the occupants of the flats enjoy. The same
cause makes all the smaller hotels popular, and
it has been difficult this winter to secure rooms
in any of them. The people who come here
as strangers, when living at such places
make many pleasant acquaintance which
they would not make in the wilderness Of the
large hotels Mr.. Weston, the proprietor of the
Portland, recognizes the fitness of flats for
Washington life, and. it is said. is considering
the idea of further extending his building to L
street. when it will occupy the entire square
The accommodations Of the Hamilton house
have also proved insufficient and the owner
Mrs. Bridge, the wife Of o former paymaster in
the navy, has purchased the house directly north
OF her property, and proposes to build over the
alley and include this house in the addition.
which will be Of the same height and CORE
spending in style to the present building.
THE INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS OPINION.
Building Inspector Entwistle stated to a STAR
man that the indications point decidedly to the
erection of large number Of dwellings, &C.,
the coming season. He said that he Judged so
from inquiries made at his Office by some of our
best builders and by strangers as to the build
ing rules and what privileges may be given by
such rules. In most cases these inquiries refer
to first-class and costly buildings. In answer
to a question as to how prices Of building ma
terial compare in general way with prices last
year, he said prices are not unreasonable, nor
are they likely to be, certainly not above the
prices at the close of last building season.
There are number Of materials which enter
into modern building construction of fancy
character which are costly, and as
fashions have much to do with house
construction those having work done will
have all these new things which ingenuity and
aid can furnish for the comforts of home As
to the style In building. there il no material
change. Each architect has his own hobby and
among them all there Is probably q greater va
riety Of methods and ideas than can be found in
any city In the United States. Some designs
haze been introduced here which, on account of
novelty, have had their run, and are gradually
being discarded. The Queen Anne style is one
of these. There are some other ideas Of orna-
mentatiOn that are being left out OF plans for
dwellings which used to be used Q great deal.
The old plan Of making light and symmetrical
stairways is again coming into vogue, and the
square landings and gothic surroundings are
being left out In new plans. They take up much
room, are dusty and dismal affairs, especially if
the situation for stairs Is in dark place Some
OF the Ornamentation put on the outside of
houses Is overdOne and absurd, and is falling