Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-22
REAL ESTATE MATTERS.
Great Activity Among the Brokers and
Investors.


PREPARING FOR TIE COMING sEAsoN-AN EsTr-
MATE As TO THE COST OF STREET ExrxSsIos-
A PLEA IN Favor OF ALLEY HousEs-soMx OF
THE CONTEMPLATED IMPROVEMENT.
The building season has been prolonged this
year. II 10 what Is known a. an open season,
and in consequence Of the comparatively mild
weather, the erection Of buildings has been
continued for some weeks past the usual time.
Some new buildings have also been started. and
DO there is quite a good deal Of outdoor
work in progress. The masons have continued
at work on the tower and the walls Of the
Church of the Covenant, and the building will
be ready in a few days TO be closed in. In its
campanile. or believer, this church edihce
will be departure from the prevailing style of
church architecture in this city. The tower il
square with rounded piers at the corner, and
massive stone walls there will be only such
openings as will serve TO admit light The
belfry will be quite elaborate and will consist
of three tiers Of arcaded openings. The light
stone used is very effective, and the entire
structure will be pleasing addition to the
architecture of the city.
A somewhat similar tower will be the main
feature of the exterior Of the new edifce
which the First Baptist church congregation
proposes to erect at the southwest corner of
~
to about the same height, the plain walls, with
only the small openings for light, being con-
timed nearly to the top, where there Ii q
belfry formed Of . single series Of arcaded
openings. Large arched windows viii be in
the face Of the wall, just below the belfry. The
architect Mr.. W. Bruce Gray, has selected
brick as the building material both for
the church and the tower. Stone, how
ever, will be used for the foundation walls
and in belt courses. In this design the brick
-il he aoI ~tt lev in x,
the structure the characteristic grace and
ightness Of the Italian school Of architecture.
The edifce will. it is thought, furnish another
good example Of the utility Of brick in produc-
Richardson, the great architect, en-
ployed brick almost exclusively in the
realization of two of his happiest designs in
the line of house architecture, which he left in
this city monuments to his name. Some Of
the best examples of the various schools Of
modern architecture, as seen in this city. are
worked out in brick The new house which
Mr.. s. II. Kaufman is building on Massachu-
sets avenue, near l4th street, Is going
to be an excellent illustration Of the
architectural effectiveness of this material.
All the brick used here is manufactured in this
vicinity and the industry has reached such q
degree of excellence that when several years
ago an architect desired to use in one house
over one hundred different forms Of brick he
had no difficulty in getting supply from home
company. Brick making is an industry which
the capital city can point to with commendable
pride. although it is generally supposed that
this is a city without such adjuncts.
THE COST OF STREET EXTENSION.
There is so much ACTIVITY in suburban prop
erty that naturally great interest is taken in
the subject of the extension of the city streets
As Congress has already passed an act requir-
ing that all new subdivisions of land should be
in conformity with the plan of the city, it is
concluded that this will be followed BY some
legislation providing for the extension of all
the city streets great deal Of the land
especially that lying along the northern
boundary of the city, is already sub
suited those who happened to own the
ground at the time of the subdivision. The
consequence is that the extension of the streets
on their present lines would make it necessary
to condemn for the public use considerable
private property. There have been various es-
Inmates made as to the cost of carrying out
such a general scheme. Mr.. Jos. Paul, who
has had large experience in the work of sub
urban subdivision. has prepared an estimate
for the northwest streets which, while it does
not claim to be accurate. yet he thinks will
give very good idea Of what the undertaking
would cost.
His figures are as follows: For the right of
way for North Capitol street. I'd, Sd. 5th, and
9Th streets, $4,000 each; Sth street. s25. 900;
18th, 18th. 18th. and 18th streets. 900 each;
9th street. $500 10th, 18th, 18th, 18th. and
!, lsth -stysets--S 900 each Total, $50. pOc
Rhode Island avenue, $4,000: Vermont ave-
nue., 100000; New Jersey avenue, $500 900; |
New Hampshire avenue, s100. 900; Connecticut |
avenue. $4,000. Total, ESQ, 900; cross streets |
S5O0.00O. Grand total, 81, 94O, 900.
Mr.. Paul Is in favor of using the $1,000 900 |
surplus of the District money in the United |
States Treasury for this purpose, and if it be
by the payment of the usual
one-half by the United States, as Is the case in
the other District expenditures, the work will
be provided for
EXTENSIVE IMPROVEMENTS CONTEMPLATED
I. T. Schneider, the architect, has another
extensive building enterprise under way Dur
ing the past year he completed two blocks Of
twenty houses on Corcoran street between 18th
and 18th streets. One-half the houses have
been sold and the remainder are rented He
feels encouraged by his past success, he told
STAR reporter. to continue the work of i'm
provement. He has now Just about con-
Guided the negotiations for the purchase of a
half square of ground in the northwest
section. Next spring he purposes to be
gin buil1ing. and his present plans
contemplate the expenditure Of about $500 900.
The houses which he will build will be of a
good class, and will sell, he expects for from
$4,000 to $4,000 each. Mr.. Schneider began
building on his own account several years ago, |
and each year he has found that the condition
of the real estate market has warranted con-
stantly increasing expenditures.
GOOD BUILDING SEASON.
In talking with a STAR reporter he said the
coming season promised to be a very busy one
with him. Il have already large amount Of
work in my Office" he added (Which will no
doubt go on in the spring" He said he was pre-
pairing plans for a row of houses for a client
which would cost about $50. 600.
Other architects. as well as real estate men.
entertain the same opinion Of the bright pros
poets for the future.
THE VIEWS OF JSo. SHERMAN AND COMPANY.
In the Office of Jno. Sherman 4 Co., real
estate brokers, STAR reporter was informed
that they were receiving numerous INQUIRIES
from people who were on the lookout for in
yestments as well as for permanent homes.
They have recently sold the large brick-and-
stone residence on Massachusetts avenue. near
18th street. to Mrs. Burnett. the authoress-
The condition of the real estate market Ia re-
garded by this firm a. extremely favorable.
They note the fact that while during the past
year there has been less activity than usual.
still values have remained unchanged This
they consider as good evidence of the bedrock
foundation upon which Washington real estate
rests.
WHAT d. d. STONE THINKS
Another real estate broker with whom a
srAR reporter talked recently was d. d. Store.
He said that business was good with him and
he had no reason to find fault. I'VE have en-
"a