National Republican., 1884-04-05
THE CITY'S PROGRESS.
Opening Of the Season for Building Operations
in Washington.
Opinions OF Prominent Real Estate Men
as 10 the Outlook This Year.

Tho present indications are that this build
Ing season in Washington will be even more
prosperous than tho last ono, which itself was
remarkably good. Contractors, architects,
and real estate men are unusually cheerful,
and their talk is all Of q fine business this
year. Thore is really no reason why their
business should not be excellent. No season
is remembered when there was less dissatis-
faction among workmen or fewer rumors OF
strikes. Wages are about the same as last
year, and the men who get them say chat
they will mako no combined effort to compel
the "bosscs" to rsise them. The strike Of the
hodcarrers appears to be virtually ut an end,
and has resulted in defeat for the strikers.
Two other considerations affect the build.
ing interests, and they arc the price of
materials and the demand for houses. Prices
of materials have not changed to any consid-
erable extent within the year. Lumber is
generally little lower and bricks trifo
higher. Builders hardware is very low, but
that is the only reason for supposing that it
will be higher.
With the prices of labor and material
settled and reasonable thero is nothing to
deter such men as have boon contemplating
improvements from making thom. There is
good demand for dwelling houses of mod
crate cost, but there will not probably be
any considerable number of expensive resi-
dences built. Most of the residences built
will fall between tho cost limits of 49, 900 and
$4,000, although several houses in the north
western part of tho city, notably one in the
vicinity of Twenty-ffth street and Pennsyl-
vania avenue, will far exceed the highest
figure named.
The demand is for dwellings of moderate
cost, suitable for the occupancy of people in
medium circumstances; but it is to be noticed,
so the builders say, that cheapness in these
days must not mean himsy construction.
The quality of the work demanded is better
than ever before, and structures such as were
commonly put up in Washington few years
ago would not now be tolerated.
The only public buildings upon which
work Is being done are the new pension
office and the army, navy, and state depart
ment building, and the new casino. The
new thoater and armory of the Washington
Light Infantry is to be built this season,
and thero is bare possibility that
congress may have a sufficient appre-
citation of the invaluable collection of books
in the congressional library to at once
set about providing a suitable house
for them. The business block at the corner
of Ninth street and Pennsylvania avenue
and the Moses block at the corner of + and
Eleventh streets, are he most considerable
business buildings TO be put up. The plans
story block, which will make it the highest,
for business purposes, of any in the city.
Col. James A. TAFT, the Capitol hill real
estate agent, said that over 200 houses were
erected in the eastern section of the city last
year, and the probability is that at least 300
will be erected during the spring and sum.
mer of this year. Not less that twenty-five
houses are now nearly completed; a
great many have just been COM
menced, and the foundations Of others are
now being dug. If the streets are only
properly improved this year that section will
IN hAn haA aw,.. H..
tended to be, the most prominent part of the
city.
Mr.. John +. Olmstead said: ''There have
been many and large sales of real estate
during the week. The vndition of the
market is most favorable, for building and
for spring building. The orders for bricl
are far in advance this season Of those las
year."
Mr.. John Sherman said 'rThe condition O
the real estate market is about as it has been
at this time during previous years. There
is considerable inquiry for small houses
would not like to give my opinion as to thu
spring outlook for building in Washington
There may or may not be a boom. l have
always noticed that the year of presidential
election has the effect of bringing about q
dullness in the real estate"
Mr.. B. II. Warner said: "The market il
good. i have never known the real-estat,
business to be better than it is at the presen
time. There have been some large and i'm
portant sales during the week. but tho trans
actions generally have been in medium prop
erty. There never has been a bette
prospect for future transactions IL
real estate. The expenditures of none,
by the government in extending
the water supply, in constructing the new
pension and other buildings has great,
accelerated small sales. The many peopl
working upon these improvements are on
abled to become subcontractors in buying
small lots. The erection of the proposed new
library and new postoflice buildings woult
also put lots of money in circulation"
Mr.. II, G. Fox, of tho iirm of Fitch. Fox
Brown, stated that tho outlook is promising
The prices are firm, and quite number o
sales were recently effected at very goot
figures. Several parties from other places ar
investing in property here. and are ready t.
buy more. This firm, within the last week
had received good offer for eligible property
which was declined. One or two parties il
New York contemplate making large pur
chases here at an early date.