Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-23

THEIR BUILDING - SUBURBAN IMPROVEMENTS
ALONG TIE B. AND P. RAILROAD.
The Chain Building" as the old-fashioned
residence on II street opposite the New York
Avenue church is known, is soon to disappear.
The owner. Mr.. W. W. Dsnenhower intends to
erect upon this site five-story building which
will be used as family hotel. The present
building is back some distance from the build
ing line. The new structure will be brought
up to the building line and a wing will be
added in the rear which will extend to the end
Of the lot some IA feet. There are two houses
which will be affected by this alteration. the
one occupied as a residence by Mr. Danenhow-
er anil the adjoining one, which he owns. The
frontage of the entire property on III street is
30 feet and Mr.. Danenhower is having plans
prspar red which will make the new
structure a very effective addition to the
ehitect Ire of that locality. The building was
erected in the days when solid construction
was the rule and not the exception. and Mr..
Danenhower finds that modern workmanship
cannot improve the walls as they now stand, so
that they will be made use of in the new build
ing. Mr.. Danenhower Is one of the old resi-
dents of the city and he recalls the time when
this building was one IF the aristocratic resi-
dences of the city. he remembers seeing it in
1545 when Gen. Scott lived there. He became
the owner of the house which he occupies in
1856 and has become more Or less familiar with
Its history, which possesses many points of in
serest. He says that il was built by Count
peMenon, the secretary of the French
legation. and for number of years
charge d affairs. The count was the repre-
sentative of France in this city for a period of
about eight years, commencing in 1922. Mr..
Danenhower says that during his residence
here he built this house, which was q three
story structure with sloping roof pierced with
dormer windows. The front was succeed and
an imposing porte cochere, resting upon sand
stone pillars was the feature of the front. The
driveway was protected by fence made of
posts connected BY large chains. and from this
circumstance the name was given to the place,
which it has since borne. He saws that Count
de Menon became involved financially, and
after the close of his official career he retired
to place near the farm of the late George W.
Riggs, in Prince Georges county Nd
where he passed the rest of his life,
His remains now lie buried there.
He was famed for his lavish hospitality and
the old house was the scene Of many a brilliant
social gathering. The house was sold under a
deed Of trust held by the Bank Of the United
States and was purchased by Sam'l L. Gouye-
neur. OF New York. who married the daughter
Of President Monroe. This marriage took
place IN the White House. and was the second
wedding that had occurred there. The Gouve-
neurs were wealthy, and it was soon found
that the French secretary's residence was too
small. He then built the western portion of
the house, where he had a fine ballroom and
picture gallery. His daughter made her debut
IN society az this house. and subsequently, mar
ried DIR. Heiskell. of the army The property
came INTO the possession of DR.. Heiskelrs wife
upon the death of her parents. and finding that
the house was too large, they divided
Il into three houses. The center and western
houses still stand, but the eastern house was
some years ago purchased by the Epiphany
church home. and a new front was built Dr.
Helskell occupied the center house. while the
western house became the home of the widow
~ ~hn al1l.
after years the center house became the home
OF Gen. Scott. and it was from the porch which
is still standing that me made his speech after
his nomination as President Baron D'Offen-
berg, the Russian minister. the French minis
ter, y. p. Banks, at the time Speaker of the
House. and other prominent persons in social
and official life occupied these houses at
different periods.
GOOD PLACE TO OWN PROPERTY
The indications are that majority of the
members of the incoming administrations will
become property-owners in this city, at least
10 the extent of owning their own homes. The
rapidly increasing value of Washington prop
Griy Is no doubt the reason that Influences
those who propose to live here only for a term
OF years, TO buy houses instead of leasing them
The Nice-President-elect has already secured
line residence here. and so has Mr. Blaine.
Their example will no doubt be followed by
other members of the official family of the new
President. -Four of the seven cabinet members
of the present administration own their
own homes here, and President Cleve-
land himself established what is con-
coded TO be sensible precedent bv
purchasing early in his administration q place
where he could enjoy the privacy and resi- of a
home. Whether the President-elect will follow
this example IL a question that is agitating the
minds OF number OF property-owners and
agents who have places which they think
would suit General Harrison exactly.
LEVI wooDBURY's NEW RESIDENCE.
The plans Of handsome residence for Mr..
Lew Woodbury. have been prepared by Mr. t.
+. Schneider, architect 1t will be built ON
Iowa Circle, adjoining the residence Of DIR.
Janney. which was also designed by Mr..
Schneider. The lot is so feet wide. and the
house will occupy about 30 feet, leaving lawn
on the south side. The entrance hall s feet
wide, extends past the parlor to large stair
case-hall, which is TO be handsomely finished
IN oak, with broad stairway and fireplace.
This hall has an entrance to the side lawn Back
OF this hall Is the large dining-room. with am
outlook ON the lawn through a bay-window,
and adjoining the dining-room on the north
ls library, and to the west buffers pantry
back stairs, and kitchen. A cellar extends
under the whole house, and contains a laundry
room Tor steam-heating apparatus, DC The
second and third stories are well provided with
hgnt and arr having south, east and west
and for part of the house a north exposure
On the second floor there are two bathrooms
and one ON the third floor. The first story is
70 be finished elegantly in oak and cherry
The front and side will be of pressed bricks
stone trimmings. A circular tower stands on
the corner and extends above a high slated
roof. The design is in the modern romanesoue
style.
ESLARGISG SAFE DEPOSIT BUILDING
notable improvement is to be made on the
south side of Pennsylvania avenue. between 9Th
and 10Th streets. The Washington Safe De-
post company propose to enlarge their present
pulldlng py the erection of an addition ON the
west Ihis new portion will have a frontage of
- rect on the avenue, and will extend to a
depth OF over 100 feet Il will be of the same
height as the present building. Messrs. Horn
Dio"er ana Marshall, the architects of the
present building. have prepared plans for the
addition, and so it will harmoniZe in desion
ana the entire structure will have the appear
ance Of one complete building. The design OF
the 'front.' indicates by the rather severe chsrac-
ter of the architecture the purposes for
which the building Is used The mas
siye walls of brick and stone. with heavily
grated openings show that security is tbe
OBJECT OF Importance. This addition will add
greatly to the present facilities. The entrance
VIII De as at present, with a space for office-
rooms In the front portion of the first floor
Then In the middle portion will be a great
vault two stories high, and in the rear will be a
large room, which will be partitioned on into
compartments for the use of depositors. The
walls OF the nrst story Will be lined with glazed
brick, which 10 not only ornamental, but will
add greatly to the security of the building. It's
construction throughout is entirely fire-proof,