National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-03-06
THE REAL ESTATE BOOM.
Important Sales in the Northwest Sec
ton of the City-The building Pros
poets Good.

Important Sales in the Northwest Sec
ton of the City-The building Pros
poets Good.
1t has been said that in no city OF the
United States is there such steady market
for real estate, and nowhere do prices main
tain themselves us here In Washington.
OF course this condition OF values has only
reached Its present standard after many
years of tossing upon the sea of political
doubts and social fancies, caused by ma
tlonal Congress acting as District leglsla-
ture, too busy for many years to give
proper attention to its capital city, and the
whims and uncertainties Of army and Off
cial life. But in spite of such factors to
retard the healthy growth Of the city, there
were men here whose confidence In real
estate pushed aside all prejudlces and up
held the property interests OF Washington,
until to-day there is probably no city in
the world given up so exclusively as
center Of society, science, art, and learning
of all branches, which can show similar
wealth in real property.
This fact comes more into view every
year, but never In its history has our city
shown such remarkable activity in real es-
tate during winter season as 1t has this
year. Men, and women, too, from all over
the country this side Of the Mississippi are
coming here to invest, many OF them to
build handsome residences for their winter
sojourn at the national capital.
The large investments are mostly In the
northwest section Of the city. Since Con-
necticut avenue took Its great hold upon the
aristocracy, and beautiful residences sprung
up along It's wide pavements as IL by magic,
one can hear many old citizens land some
not very old, either) bemoaning the rapid
atri1aa NJ tipna aiuna tbnu cnul1 haua MIR
chased acres Of land at few cents foot,
while now the same ground cannot be
bought for less than SO, 81, and $5 foot.
The wide streets and avenues OF the
northwest seem to have received the lions
share OF valuable improvements during the
last few years, and the coming spring will
probably show the most extensive line Of
valuable improvements ever erected In one
season there. Among others, Benjamin IL.
Warder, the wealthy manufacturer OF
Ohio, will commence the erection on X
street, between Fifteenth and Sixteenth
streets, Of q magnificent residence to cost
$4,000, after plans by Richardson, the
Boston architect. But the most extensive
chain OF valuable residences will be erected
along Sixteenth street, or, as some are en-
deavoring to style 1t, Executive avenue.
This is the widest street In the city, which
may be mentioned as one Of the reasons for
its popularity. 1t seems to hold its own,
even with the attractions of the vicinity of
Dupont circle, and the prices Of lots show
no falling away In popular favor Along
Its length the prices OF land show some d.
versity. For instance, the corner where Col.
John Hays and Henry Adams houses are
SO foot. AT the other corner of the square,
Sixteenth and streets, New York mer-
chant has recently purchased lot, taken
from W. w. Corcoran's gardens, paying
about the same figure. Between aud X
streets, next to the "Arno,n ground is held
at SO and $3.50 per foot. When you get
down near Scott circle lots can be bought
for $3.50 per foot, and north along the street
the price OF land ranges from SIZE to 50
per foot. SO that, as may be seen, land is
not held on that street at very low figure,
thus insuring the,yery best class of improve
ments. Yet transactions have been very
large during the past year, and there have
been many transfers of property. The ele-
giant residences already erected there in
Justice Gray, Gen. N. l. Anderson, Capt.
G. NJ. Wheeler, Gen. w. B. Hazen, f. +.
Andrews, f. d. Morgan, William Win
dom, eX.Secretary Robson, and Min
lister Pendleton. The recent purchases
are those of Judge Henry Strong, on
the corner of Sixteenth and L street, where
he proposes to erect q beautiful residence;
Mr.. Hamilton Wright, who will build on the
lot adjoining Judge Strong, on Sixteenth
street; Mrs. Gen. Lander, Miss Kate Field,
Of New York; Mrs. Biddle, Judge McCue,
Gen. Palmer, Hon, W. p, Kellogg, and JUS
tice Stanley Matthews.
A wealthy Ohio gentleman. has just pur-
chased for $l4, 900 the two lots on the north
west corner Of Sixteenth and NJ streets,
where, 1t is said, he will erect one of the
handsomest dwellings in Washington.
On the southwest corner OF Sixteenth and
]. Streets also, ground will be broken on
the 10Th Of this month for very handsome
dwelling. j. L. Davis has recently pur.
chased the handsome lot on the southeast
corner of Sixteenth and NJ streets, and will
also build a splendid dwelling.
In other sections of the city real estate
holds its own and pushes Its way upward
between times. 1t Is quite certain, how
ever, that property values will never take a
backward step In any section Of the city,
and indications are strongly in favor of a
boom tltu