Morning journal and courier., 1889-12-18
BEACON STREET DooMED.
Trade Enoroachlng Upon Hoston's Historic ThorOughfare.
 Inc poct


 Historic Thoroughfare.
 From the Boston Post.l
 hear that Beacon street, opposite the Common, was to have had an apartment house for bachelors, if certain plans, which have just fallen through, could have been carried out. The arrangements were to pur- chase the estate on the upper corner of Charles and Beacon streets and erect upon it a handsome six-story building with all the modern improvements. The money was all raised, both for land and the erection of the building, when one of those sshitches" which often occur to mar the best-laid plans pre- vented the agreement from being executed. It is obvious that tho location is an admira- ble one for the purpose for which it was chos~ en, being centrally located, with abundance of light and air, with view of the common and public garden that cannot be interferred with, and easy access to downtown, either by pleasant walk or by horse cars. While a six-story building at this spot would break the sky line of the Beacon street houses, which slope up the hill in an attractive incline, the effect would not be 50 unfavorable as if the building should be erected further up the elevation. Though do not like to see the old houses in this locality torn down to make room for structures which would be more or less inoongruous with their surroundings, yet as 8 choice between an apartment house and 8 store, Ishould much prefer the former.
 As the proposed apartment house would be but a few doors from the tailor's shop, which has found it's way into Beacon street, eppo- site the public garden, it is evident that the tendency to which I referred not long ago, toward a change in the character of the build ings in this locality, is quite pronounced. The fact is that the land in this neighborhood is getting to be too expensive fer dwelling hous- es, and as their old .eccupantsdie.off there is 8 natural disposition for the younger members I-r ko nIaw to be near their friends and within easy dis tance of playmates for their children. This tendency is perhaps slow one in it's opera tion, but it is steady and sure, and one such opening as that made by such an apartment house as I have mentioned would pave the way for similar if not more radical changes. In the course of time apartment houses and hotels, perhaps with chops underneath, will inevitably become features of that part of Beacon street which is opposite the com- mon, and it is not unlikely that some club will take advantage of an opportunity to se- cure choice location there. This neighbour hood, as believe I have said before, is 8 than Pall Mall where the great London estab lishments are located.
 Englishmen who visit Boston are apt to note the resemblance of this part of Beacon street to Picadilly where it looks upon St. James Park, though the truth is that the ele- vation of the houses above the common gives a much more striking view than can be ob- tained from the famous London street. The brigat effect of the houses, with their variety of color, is of itself sufficient to mark the dis tinction between them and the dingy, soot- covered dwellings that the verdure of the park causes to look gloomier still. While l do not like to take pessimistic view of the changes that have taken place in the old resi- dential positions of the city, I must confess that view tho prospect, however remote, of Beacon street opposite the common losing its characteristic appearance as loss to the city which no material gains can counterbal-