Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-03-14
CITY AND DISTRICT.
THE BUILDING SEASON.
The Steady March of Improvement Il
Continue this Year


The Steady March of Improvement TO
Continue this Year.
THE GREAT DEMAND FOB SHALL HoUsEs-FINE
HOUSES To BE EKECTED-THE WAY THINGS
AND THE woRKINGMAN's STANDPOINT.
The first month of spring in this city usually
witnesses an increased activity In the real-estate
market. and this year promises 10 be no excep-
ton. The market during the winter, however.
has by no means been stagnant. as the numer-
Dus sales. mentioned from time TO time in THE
STAR. as well as the descriptions of new houses
in progress of erection. indicates. Building has
continued all winter with the exception Of the
periods Of extreme cold weather, and now that
the actual building season has begun there are
Indications which promise moderate activity.
There are no evidences as vet of the unusual
activity generally termed BOOM, but it is
evident that there will be a steady and moder-
ate movement in the line of improvements
which the normal growth of the city demands.
The best authorities in such matters are
OF the opinion that the feature of the
season will be the continuation of the
work Of erection of small houses. These
sand dollars, have six or seven rooms, and rem t
for from fifteen to thirty dollars per month.
One firm of al ectate men alone last year built
seventy OF this class of houses, and during the
winter erected twenty-eight more. As fast as
they are built tenants are found, and the expe-
rfence OF all dealers is, that the demand for
small houses is still in excess of the supply.
This kind Of investment is said to pay better
than larger and more expensive houses. I'm
provements Of this character may be seen on
Capitol Hill, especially in the mort heastern sec
ton, 10 large. extent in the northwest. and
quite recently in the section lying east of the
new State, Var end Navy department building
There are entire squares which have been lying
unimprOyed for Years and are now built up
with very comfortable and handsome rows of
small houses These houses are in demand
not only by the residents. but by strangers who
propose to make this city their home and desire
10 live on q more moderate scale than can be
done In large house.
THE BUILDING INSPECTORS VIEWS.
In conversation with a STAR reporter re-
specting comparison between the building
prospects at the present time and that of year
ago, Building Inspector Entwsle stated that he
did not think the prospect good as then; that
1t is, however, rather too early TO judge, the
season being colder and more backward for
business enterprises than last year. Several
wellknown architects have already been in
consultation with him upon the subject of esti-
mates for ftrst-claSs dwelling houses contempla-
ted TO be erected the present season. Although
the number OF costly dwellings erected this year
may not be so notable IS in some former years.
yet, ne states. that the demand for medium
CLASS houses is quite as great as heretofore, and
he sees no good reason for a .'let up in the con-
struction of houses. As to the price of building
material there has been no change since last
year: bricks are no higher and they are abund-
ant; lumber is no higher, and is in full stock,
and labor is no higher. and, If anything. is
easier 10 get. There are no radical differences
for strikes and disputes abOut wages. Hard
ware is trifle higher perhaps, but not enough
aggregate cost of Construction. On the whole
he regards the prospects as not only fair, but
nearly up to the usual season, with daily in
crease i'll permits.
n woRKINGMAN's VIEWS.
Talking with journeyman bricklayer of
much experience, STAR reporter was told
that the prospect for building was good-ex-
ceedingly good, and that there is no reason
why there should not be more work done this
season than in any previous season. From
what l learn from the architects" continued
the journeyman, there are but few who have
not had their hands full. and up to this time
my poss mas largely IN excess OF the amount of
WORK ne mad this early last season, having con-
traeted for nearly twenty-five houses.
Nv hat are the prospects OF an increase In
wages: asked the reporter
There will be but few if any changes" was
the reply. Il don't believe that any advance
will be asked for. In our trade we are nearly
all In the union, and one requirement is that
all members be good wOrkmen. Our scale has
not been changed for four years. and don't see
mum price. but sometimes boss will find il to
his advantage to pay more for extra good
the rule on either side.
How about the other tradesa" continued the
listener.
The question of wages will be agitated ~ was
the reply, lin but few of the unions this season.
There is q better understanding between the
property owners, builders and the unions than
bver before. The carpenters union is large
pne, and that trade seems to be greatly cut up
because there is so much mill work used. I
believe, however, that the carpenters union
Will not demand any increase in wages and
this will be the casegenerally."
THE MEDICAL MUSEUM LIBRARY.
A fire-proof building for the library of the
medical museum is to be erected this se4sons
and measurements are being taken under the
direction of Architect Edward Clark of the
Capitol. The site proposed is at the corner of
7th and b streets, adjoining the National Mu-
scum. The appropriation for this purpose is
upon crowdIng buildings into that corner of the
Smithsonian grounds, but the objection is met
by the statement that II is part of the system
ofthese grounds, and that it will not be long be-
fore corresponding buildings will appear on the
up the space In similar manner. leaving the
intermediate space on the south side of the
smithsonian TO be utilized as a geological gar
den, &c,
FINE RESIDENCES To BE BUILT.
While there will be good many small houses
erected, there Will also be some very elegant
costly houses built, perhaps q greater number
and involving larger outlay of money than in
any previous season. There is, for example the
fine house which Mrs. Patten Is building de-
Icription OF which was recently published in
The STAR. Then Senator Edmunds is putting
up house for his own residence, and at least
two other houses Of a very costly character will
be begun early in the season. There is a good
deal OF gossip about the intentions of several
persons TO erect fine houses, which. no doubt
Will De realized before the present season closes
Mr.. jeremiah ]. Brosnan has commenced the
erection OF two fine brick dwelling houses on
street, betwee LIST and I'd streets south
west They will be two stories high and hand
soInely finished.
THE ARCHITECTS AND THE BUILDERS.
In spite of these favorable indications, how
over, the architects generally complain that the
Duflook Is very unfavorable and they predict a
very dull building season. Usually at this time
OF the year they say that they have good many
orders and their draughtsmen are busy on
plans. Thisis not the case at present and most
OF the architects have little to do. Many of the
builders have plenty of work ON hand and expect
To be FULLY occupied all the season. This how
ever, Is not the case with all the builders Some
OF them complain that the rate OF wages is
high in this city, and are OF the opinion that
the prospect of great deal of work will cause
the workmen to make demand for an increase
They say that they are willing to pay the pres
ent rates, but would oppose any increase They
also say that the prices of material are on more
advanced scale than they should be. and be-
Heve that the high rate OF wages and material
prevents many from building.
The brick manufacturers state that they have
plenty oforders. and expect n very busy season
bricks for the west wing OF the new State War
and Navy department building. for the reason
that they were afraid OF not having bricks
enough 10 supply their present customers. The
work on the sewers has begun. well as on a
large number OF private houses throughout the
city.
THE SKATING RINK BUILDING.
The new National Skating Rink building on
street, just completed, makes handsome i'm