National Republican., 1883-02-10
THE BUILDING BOOM.
Additional Houses Which Will be Erected in
the Spring.
Detailed Description Of the Proposed
Portland Extension.
Capitol Hill TO be Improved by Many New
Dwellings,
What Is Being Done in Real Estate I'm
South Washington.


confined TO the real estate agents and brokers,
but extends to all who have property for sale
and those who are contemplating the pur-
chase of homes for themselves. 1t interests
all who own real estate, whether in large or
small amounts, for it shows whore tho in
crease of value will be, what localities are
being benefited by improvements, and those
sections of the city in which there seems to
he but little Improvement. 1t is the general
impression that the coming spring will open
more actively so far as building is concerned
than for many years past. This is evidenced
by the large number of orders that are in the
hands of the various architects for plans, and
those which the different builders have for
the erection Of buildings, for which the de-
tailed plans have already been drawn. Tho
most important work begun for tho coming
season is tho
EXTENSION OF THE PORTLAND.
Ground has been broken for an extension of
the Portland, which will add sixteen suits of
rooms, an additional hydraulic elevator, and
increased dining rooms to the accommodation
of thispopulor apartment house on the OPEN
ing of next season. Encouraged by demand
for flats, which ever since the opening of the
house has exceeded the supply, Mr.. Edward
Weston, the proprietor, has determined to
complete the northern terminus of the edifce
by continuing it to the intersection of Four
teenth street and Vermont avenue, opposite
Thomas circle, so as to double its frontage to
about 215 feet on either side. The extended
building will show between intervening cur
tains twelve bay windows, six ofwhich within
the present building are five stories high, and
six on the extension will run up through six
stories, equal to about eighty-siX feet above
the sidewalk. Joined to the main building by
u wide necking, tho ediice will be
fanked and front on Thomas circle
with a stately and graceful octagonal
renaissance tower of eighteen feet base by
100 feet height, the architecture of which is
in rythmical harmony with tho body of the
building, and based on free treatment ofthe
motives of that rich fount of modern art, the
Cinque Cento of Italy. The first story of this
tower is constructed of cut stone, kept in
Doric art, with columns pilasters, architrave,
frieZe, and cornice, surmounted by n heavy
balustrade, which incloses. n balcony on the
second story. The architecture of the upper
stories is designed for cut stone, pressed brick,
and terra Gotta. Attractive balconies of vari-
Gus designs jut out from the walls to the east,
west and north. Above the main cornce the
severe architectural outlines of the tower give
way to kindred fanciful moresque forms, all
executed on solid masonry, up to light
cupola, covered in with states laid in oriental
designs and crowned by ornamental work
ending in u huge finial
swept by the breezes from three Sides will
hereafter contain the Kitchens work and
storerooms, coal cellar, &c, for the restau-
rant, and will be absolutely separated from
the rest of the building by heavy brick walls
and by fireproof floor overhead, consisting of
concrcted brick arches between rolled iron
beams. The first story contains additional
dining rooms, one fat, and spacious and well
arranged store Fireproof iron stairs lead up
from the first to the sixth story, but they will
not break the treproof separation of the base
ment from the main stories of the building.
The five upper stories contain each three
strictly separate suites of rooms, consisting of
parlor library, chambers, bath room. and pri-
vate hall. They will be conveniently reached
by this new elevator, the functions of which
will be strictly separate from those of the old
elevator, which, on tho reception days of the
ladies of the house, is now taxed to its full ca
pacity. 70 systematizc this work iircproof
tiled passage communicates on the first floor
between the present and the new entrance
halls, while the upper stories of tho extension
have no connection whatever with the pres
ent building.
1t is gratifying to tho proprietort that the
freely expressed sentiments of tho occupants
of "Tho Portland" many of whom have seen
the ins and outs of the best arranged apart
ment houses in this country, as we'll as in
Europe that they find more home comfort,
better communications, light, and air in this
house than in any other they have met before.
The architects, Mcssrs. Cluss Il Schulze, claim
that this reputation Of the house is bound to
receive new impetus with the completion
of tho new wing since the climatic and
social requirements of our city on such
building We're not yet formulated when
the Portland was planned as a pio-
neer establishment. Then its public
spirited and clear headed proprietor was
EinIlv md lly NVnrnp1 uUoinst n ii I'm q
heavy capital in q scheme so unsuited To
our city, as he was told, but faith and con-
viction oyercame timidity and prejudice. In
the extension the experience gained during
the past three years is valuable factor, So
that il is hoped that an investment of nearly
quarter million of dollars will continue Ia
weld reasonable return, and with this view
the extension is planned without ever losing
sight of what is due to the splendid location
from monumental point of view, which in
ita breadth cannot stop with the cphcmcml
oNcgesceuccs of taste in the Kaleidoscope oi
the fashion of a season.
CAPITOL NIL IMPROVEMENTS.
A number of very fine residences are ius
being completed by Joseph Jockey on NOrtl
Capitol street, between b and 9 streets, rang
ing ia size from 20 by37 TO % by 81 feet Th,
buildings are three stories and basement, con
tanning from ten to fourteen rooms, and pre-
senting pleasing variety of styles of urChi
lecture. Tho foundations are very solid
hcing rock faced Potomac bluestOne. The
fronts are of pressed brick with brownstonC
trimmings varied IN finish by tasteful com
hinatiOn of bronze green, and venetian red
Ine tirst stories are of hard oil finish, and
those above arc of parti-colOrs. The houses
contain ali the modern Improvements, III
Guiding bells, speaking tubes, &C. The sewer
0ge and plumbing, which have received the
special oversight OF the owner, are of the best
construction, and are rendered especially
effective by an ample supply of water. Some
of the front doors are of solid carved oak,
with elegant stained glass ransoms, decorated
in tasteful designs. The stained window in
the music room OF the corner residence is OF
unique and elegant design, representing a
number of musical INSTRUMENTS artistically
grouped and adds much[o the beauty of the
room. The general outline of these buildings
Is novel, and, with ample parking for flower,
and shrubbery, presents an improvement
which would be credit to any locality,
IN THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE CITY
the most noticeable improvement is the
two beautiful houses, now ready for occu'
pancy, owned by Mrs. George \. Armes, and
finished under her supervision. Both Of the
houses have been leased upon terms which
pay handsomely upon the investment. The
fronts are Of moulded pressed brick with bay
windows, having three stories with furnace
room below, and kitchen in the rear basement
with stationary range, cupboards and pantry
The main story has parl0r aud dining room
aud the upper stories contain four spaciOu,
bed rooms, with bath room and linen closets
They are finished throughout in oak with