Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-08-18

II
| OPINION OF sPKCULAroR-gEN. ANDRRsoN's UNIQUE
| BECOMING ELABORATE AND cosTLY-soNE FINE
| HOUSES.
"what is the prospect for the fall season in real
| estate?" asked q STAR man Of gentleman largely
| engaged In real estate operations
~ don't think" was the reply, "that there viii
| be many new buildings started, at least by those
| who want to make profit on their investment
| The trouble Is that material is too high. OF
| course few hundred dollars extra wont deter
those who are building houses for their own use;
| but to those who are looking at the profit few
| hundred dollars makes great difference Now
thousand for brick in the ALL and that is at least
s. too much. Then there Is painting; the increase
adding to the cost f The prices h for other
building taken as q whole is now much greater
than 1t was last year."
"What Is the cause Of It, do you SuppOSe?" Quer-
| led the listener.
"Oh, well, there are causes, but that don't alter
he continued, "lhe newspapers have had a great
deal to do with It There has been too much
booming OF real estate. and the practical result is
That mechanics get uneasy and want higher
wages, and 1t tends to stiTen prices in every d.
rection, the impression being general that build
Ing operations are bound to 60 on"
Whether this Is the utterance OF a "bear" in the
real estate market the operations during the COM
dict lively fall season. but whether the activity
Will extend any further than purchases OF real
estate IL Is Impossible to say.
THE HIGH-wATER MARX IN PRICES
II the truth Was known rea-eState prices are
inclined to be stiff, and the tendency is towards
higher figures. The amount of available ground
that still remains unlmproved is cited as reason
Tor the belief that the hgh-water mark for the
present has been reached. There is no lack OF
capital to be invested, and there seems to be
very general feeling of confidence In the future OF
this city and in the desrabiity of real-est ,te In
vestments. Hence any real good bargain does not
go begging, anu there Is considerable competition
among those that have the money to get In ION
the ground floor before IT is too late II such a
feeling as this may be said to constitute boom,
tnere IS then without doubt a very manifest boom
In real estate In this city. The appreciation in
values, however, has not, except In few In
stances, given much larger profit on invested
capital than judiciOuS Investment In other di-
rect1onS would have received AS has been fire.
queen,ly stated in THE STAR, fancy prices have not
lined to narrow margins and reasonable percent
ages
THE REASON BRICKS ARE HIGH.
Recurring to the subject OF the cost Of building
material the answer Of an officer OF one of the
| largest brick machine companies in the District
to question by a STAR reporter is pertinent.
"Why are bricks so htgh?" was the question.
His lacontc but hgurative reply was, "because
people will build such high houses"
This Is only another way Of saying that there is
a great demand for bricks, and OF this fact the
readers or THE STAR are already aware. Besides
the numerous private buildings now going up, the
immense structure in Judiciary square, Intended
for the use of the Pension Office, is In progress of
erection, and Is being built entirely OF bricks.
competent judges predict that there won't be very
much building begun in the fall
FINE HOUSES TO BE BUILT.
The number OF houses that will be built this fall
by people for their will be- 1t IS said by good
authority, quite noticeable. 1t Is further said
that several very elegant houses Will be erected,
and there Is a tangible rumor that one of the
foreign governments will build legation house
here which Will cost 100000 and be very grand
AFFAIR. There are also men OF wealth who own
land here and are only awaiting favorable Opp0G-
tunity to improve it.
Gen. AndersOn's PaIatlal Mansion.
The house which Gen. n. L. Anderson is build
Ing, at the corner OF 10Th and Streets is so
nearly completed that it will be ready for occu
pancy early In the fall The time occupied in its
erection. as we'll the unique style of architec-
ture, has drawn more general attention to it than
Is usually the case in this city, where handsome,
costly residences are springing up On all sides as
II some magician had waved his wand and the
beautiful architectural structures had risen from
the earth. The house Is entirely different from
every other house In po mt OF masstveness and SIM
pllc1ty that 1t Is good deal discussed. The opin-
ions vary some think that it is too style,
others that its thick brick walls and narrow case
mentS are Unsuitable for this climate, while some
ooJect othe high roor surrounding the two stories
as giving a squatty effect The idea OF the archi-
tect has been to erect house. the chief character
1stic OF which would be dignity 1t is the general
opinion that he has succeeded. From the solid
granite curbing which marks the graceful green
slope surrounding the house, to the plain strong
lines OF the high pitched roof the entire building
Is in harm Ony with this idea.
THE INTERIOR DECORATIONS
While the outside OF the house Is familiar to the
public, the details OF the inside decorations are
not we'll known. The work Is now in such an ad-
vanced state that very intelligent Idea can be
formed OF what 1t Will be when completed. The
house. while facing on two streets, has really no
entrance On either. There Is small doorway at
the extreme end OF the 10th street front, which
opens into the vestibule, but the main entrance
opens for the porte cOchere at the side OF the
house. A large chain gate swings under the mas
riages under the archway, which is ceiled with
wood Carved oaken doors, swinging gold
plated hinges, admit to the vestibule, which is
completely panelled In oak. The floor is tiled.
few steps lead up to the handsome front doors of
OAK. opposite the main entrance in the vestbule
the servants, and making 1t unnecessary for them
to go through the house to admit visitors
POEM IN OAK.
The main door opens into a large square hall,
which is rich In all the effects that oak carving
and panelling impsrts. The ceiling and walls are
completely covered with this beautiful wood ar
ranged In artistic panels, and the effects produced
by this lavish use OF oak is novel and impressive.
It Is splendid room and worthy entrance to
the beauties which lie on al! sides. On the right
Is large open fire place, and the opposite side
Is the stair case OF solid oak, with two landings,
which are lighted by several stained glass win
"A III,
carved in the open Egyptian style, adds an addi-
tional charm TO the spiendorS OF the hall and is
tended to give retirement to the library which is
ON the east side OF the hall, and Is perfect gem.
THE LIBRARY AND DRAwING-RoOM.
Low book cases run round the walls, and large
tiled fireplace projects In the center of the room.
About the open fire cluster quaint old benches
with curved backs, and under the narrow window
runs low seat. The wood work Is painted dark
green. Opening out from the hall and occupying
the northwest part Of the house is the drawing
room. Adjoining this Is a smaller parlor and next
is the dining Another unique feature of the house
Is seen In the treatment OF these two roOmS-the
drawlng-rOom and the dining-rOom. The wood
work OF the former Is entirely OF pine, while that
OF the latter Is mahOg reversal OF the general
rule. The pine wood work OF the parlor is painted
In the French style in white and gold and the only
elaborate ornament is the mantel which is beau
tful III &c Of carving, rich in delicate tracery or
such line workmanship as to be overlooked at the
FIRST glance. An oval plate-glass mirror is sunk
In the wood work In the upper part Of the mantel
Tine lower window at the further corner Is utilized
by large ro0my diyan
THE DINING ROOM IN MAHOGANY
The dining room next to the hall would attract
the attention OF those who like fine wood Joining
and carving. 1t is finished throughout In ma
hogany. The ceiling IS wholly made Of this beau
tlul WOOD, the main part divided into squares by