National Republican., 1883-03-10
ARCHITECTS and BUILDERS.
How They are Employed at Present for the
Spring Season.
What New Buildings are Either Being
Planned or Erected.
Many Public Edifces 10 be Built During the
Present Year.
81. Patriclt's Church, the National Rifles
Armory, Colored School building, sc.

Tho most important item in real estate mat
ters Mt this time is the new general assess
ment, the work of which under the law will
begin on Monday next. THE REPUBLICAN
published the account in full about two weeks
ago with prediction that it would become
law, aud as the house bill passed the senate
without amendment the public is generally
advised of its provisions.
The commissioners are busily engaged in
determining the boundaries Of the twelve dis
tricts into which the district will be divided,
and il is probable that they will bo definitely
agreed upon to-day. Then will come the Sc
lection of the assessors, and 1t is believed that
care will be taken to secure men who will
provo to be competent. and faithful. 1t is es-
tmated that the newApportionment will add
$350O0,000 to the assessed value Of real estate
in the district which at the rate of tax $1.5O
upon the 800 value, will add to tho annual
revenue the sum of $525,000.
With the prospect of an carly spring both
rchitects and builders are now busy in pre-
pairing for work, and, as has already been
stated by THE REPUBLICAN, IL is predicted
that the extent Of building will be greater
this year than for many previous seasons.
ST. PATRIcKs NEW CHURCH.
The plans and specifications are in hand
for the completion Of st. Patricks church, on
Tenth, between + and G streets northwest
The original design has beon modified so that
the spre will be omitted and the building
will be of stone and brick combined, and not
entirely Of stone, as contemplated when the
first story was erected some years ago, which
has lain in an unfinished condition. 1t is tho
intention of the pastor Rev. j. A. Walter, to
have the building under roof this year.
The dimensions of the church outside are
80 by 169 feet. Tho interior is 73 by SO, with
sanctuary AZ by 90 feet. There are two side
chapels and n sacristy, which will be fire
proof. twill be heated throughout by steam,
and the cost of the entire work will be about
$4,000. The church has been enabled to
prosecute this work by reason of the leasing
of their ground on tho i street front of the
square, which has been leased for q term of
twenty-five years to different parties and
handsomely improved by the lessees, all the
improvements at the end Of the term to revert
to the church.
THE NATIONAL RIFLES ARMoRY.
The armory and hall of the National Rifles
to he erected on G street in this square will
add handsome improvement to this section
of the city. 1t will have a front of 81 feet
inches by depth Of 113 feet inches, which
is the size Of the lot. 1t will be two stories
high and 4S feet inches from ground to
apex OF rOO1. Inc walls ure 10 DC 90 lecU %
inches in height with double pitch roof
The foundation is of brick and concrete. The
external walls will be % inches, first story
wall % and Is inches, second story walls 1S
and Ii inches. The cornice is of brick and
iron. There are two bay windows % by IA
feet with foot projection, and the cost will
be $4,000. George II. Turton is the con-
tractor.
A BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT.
The old buildings are being demolished on
Ninth street, between Nos. d16 and 426, pre-
paratory to the erection of three modern
houses by NJ. w. Beveridge. The whole front
to be improved is 81 feet inches, and the
buildings will be used for stores, with Office
rooms in the upper stories. The fronts will
be of press brick, with brick ornaments
and galvanized iron trimmings, and the esti-
mated cost is $4,000. William G. Morrison
is the contractor.
A HANDSOME RESIDENCE.
t%The residence of Mr.. J. l.. johnson is rap
idly approaching completion. 1t occupies the
former site of the police station and unsightly
frames at the northwest corner of Ninth street
aud New York avenue. The lot is one of the
triangular or tlat-iron shaped lots so common in
Washington, but the architect has managed TO
get double house, with convenient and COM
modious rooms, the very Irregularities being
made to subserve some good end in the plan.
The house consists of three stories and
basement. The exterior is of modern
architecture; the outside walls faced with
select front brick laid with black mortar joints.
In the cornices, belt courses, window heads.
Sc., ornamental and moulded brick are used
with effective taste. The front door entrance
ON Now York avenue, steps and balustrade,
are of cast and wrought iron of special design.
The front door head, crown mould of cornices,
the pediment and acroteria and trimmings of
mansard roof, are ofgalvaniaed iron, painted in
imitation of Ohio stone. The hall and vesti-
bule is seven feet wide, from which upon each
side open the rooms, and at the north end of
which is located the toilet room on the prn-
cipal floor, and the bath room upon the second
floor. The basement is occupied by the steam
heating apparatus, with its connecting fuel
room, the kitchen, laundry, servants water
closet, &c. These rooms are provided with
all the modern appliances usual TO bc used.
This story is painted in plain colors. The
principal story is occupied by parlor, with
bay window opening upon the public resor-
walton and New York avenue; the dining
room IA by 90 feet, with dumb waiter from
kitchen, and library ID by 10 feet, connecting
with the dining room by sliding doors. At
the end of tho hall is located toilet room,
with stationary wash basin, &C. The stair
way is of handsome design, the steps and
risers being of heart yellow pine, the 7-inch
square newell and balusters with ample hand
rail being Of oak finished in oil, the spandril
paneled. This story is grained oak and the
ceilings are provided with ornamental
plaster cornices and center pieces of late de-
sign The second story is occupied by bed
rooms of same size as the rooms below, except
at the end of the hall is located hall ROOM
The bath room is located at the north end of
the hall, and is finished in walnut and
wainscoted with yellow pine. This story is
painted in delicate ColOrs, tho doors stained
cherry and finished in hard oil the ceilings
enriched with cornices and center pieces.
Tho attic contains q light and airy servants
room, beside a fine spare bedroom, opening
upon New York avenue, and large room de-
voted TO storage purposes. The mantels
throughout are of slate of new patterns, with
open freplaces and ornamented CRATES
wherever needed. Bells connect all parts
of the house with the kitchen, and
speaking tube connects the base
ment with the second floor. Tho steam
heating is by direct radiation, low pressure.
The hardware in principal story, and also
of the front and vestibulo doors, Is of imperial
bronze. As far as location is concerned, this
residence occupies one of tho most desirable
lots in the city, as its eastern windows open,
not only upon the public park Immediately
adjoining, but also upon Mt, Vernon square,
which will be one of the most beautiful of
thepublic reservations. The architect is Mr..
Charles A. Hardness, and the builder Mr. John
T. Corrigan.
NORTH AND NORTHWEST.
In the northern section Mr.. James McGill