Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-09
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP.
Some Of the Advantages Of Buying
Rather Than Renting Houses.

Some Of the Advantages of Buying
Rather Than Renting Houses.
PROGRESS or SUBURBAN SUBDIVISIONS ALONG
THE CONDUIT RoAD-sEcRETARY wHrrxEY's
CLOSING REAL ESTATE DEAL-oTHER MATTERS
Inaugural real estate has never cut much of
figure in the market here. People are always
too much absorbed in preparing for the event
and entertaining their friends to take any ac-
tive interest in property matters. The dealers
report, therefore, a dull market, and nothing
doing. They have strong hopes for the near
future, however. A Washington real estate
man, and, in fact, all citizens believe that
anyone who visits this city will become inter-
ested in it and if their personal affairs permit
they will become residents. The benefit to
the city of bringing large crowds of people
here Is recognized While during the past few
days most OF the visitors to this
city spent most of their time
along the avenue and the adjacent
streets in the business portion of the town vet
good percentage rode in carriages and street
cars or walked through the resident portion of
the city. Many visited not only the public
buildings, but they saw the town pretty well,
and no doubt they carried away with them the
favorable impression which ali visitors to the
capital now 80 freely acknowledge. There is
in this day no dissent from the opinion that
this 10 beautiful city and desirable place of
residence.
As soon as matters assume their normal con-
dltion, the activity in real estate, which has
been such a marked feature OF the winter mar
ket will doubt be continued. and as the
spring advances will naturally increase. The
new men who will come in with the administra-
ton viii need homes, and. Judging from the
example set by the Vice-President, Secretary
Blaine, and Postmaster-General Wanamaker,
they viii buy houses instead of having merely
temporary homes.
SUCCESSFUL REAL ESTATE OPERATOR
In the sale of his residence on / street Secre-
tary Whitney has rounded of a very successful
career in Washington real estate. When he
came here as a cabinet officer. instead of merely
renting some house here. as many in his place
would have done, he leased the Frelinghuysen
house for a term Of years, with the privilege of
purchase. He at once made extensive altera-
tons and additions. which included the hand
some ballroom. He probably spent some
s10, on the house, which, added to the stip-
ulated selling price, which was said to be
$4,000 makes the property cost Mr. Whitney
Wanamaker for $4,000. The profit is
not large, but the sale is a good one
and enables Mr.. Whitney to have lived
In ine house at a less outlay for rent
than perhaps many an official whose income is
considerably smaller then that of Secretary
Whitney. His country place. "Grasslands,' on
the Tenleytown road he bought outright and
sold 1t at profit of some 800, 900. Secretary
Whitney has not allowed the grass to grow
under his feet in the real estate market since
his residence in this city. and if he had rented
instead of buying outright he would have gone
away considerably out as far as house rent is
concerned.
FURNITURE SPECIALLY DESIGNED.
fashion nowadays among the wealthy is
to have the furniture of their houses made
from special designs They go to an architect
or some house designer and have drawings and
plans made just as they do when they are going
to build house. Then bids obtained from
the cabinet-makers OF course. all furniture
OF this kind must be made by hand and is more
costly than the ready-made found in shops
But, like nearly everything else, the main at
traction lies in the fact that it is odd and diff
ferent from what other people have. But in
dependent of this consideration furniture made
In this way is really artistic. The ood-worker's
art has experienced a revival of late
years. In the modern house the rooms
and halls wainscoted. and there are
open wood ceilings, all more or or less elabor-
ateiy carved and finished according to the ex-
tent OF the purse of the house owner. Mill work
as the wood that Is turned out from mills is
termed can be used, but a rule all the interior
wood finish of fine house including the
mantle pieces, is made from special designs fur
nished by the architect. A skillful wood carver
and neat joiner commands high wages and
steady work IN these days when the wood work
of fine house is one of the leading features.
ALONG THE CONDUIT ROAD
MIR. Edwin Baltzley, who, in conjunction with
his brother, owns Glen Echo heights. has in
contemplation extensive plans of improvement.
Their property is located four miles from this
city, ON the Conduit road, and this side of Cabin
John bridge. They have laid out some 16S
acres Of land, which they purpose shall be a
park about fine hotel which they intend to
erect: The location selected is on the brow of
the hull overlooking the river, which is broad
at this point and diversified with islands Ow-
ing To the height above the river-some IT'S
feet-a splendid view is obtained of the wild
and attractive scenery which distinguishes the
country IN that vicinity. Mr.. Baltzley told
srAR reporter that an architect was drawing
the plans OF the hotel, and that its erection
would be begun during the coming season. II
Sproposed 70 erect a building having frontage
OF some 400 feet and capable of accommodating
about 400 guests. Mr. Baltzley hopes TO make
ms place the Bryn Mawr Of Washington, and
the hotel and all the equipments will be first
class. When the Washington and Western
Maryland railroad, which was chartered at the
last session OF Congress to extend to the Great
Falls aud then beyond, Is completed Mr.. Baltz-
ley says that Glen Echo Heights will be a
suburb Of Washington. He proposes to have
handsome country residences erected in the
park about the hotel The fine location and
picturesque surroundings, Mr.. Baltzley thinks
as well as the delightful climate will attract a
that few Washingtonians realize the beauty
and attractiveness of this place for residence
purposes. He predicts a rapid suburban
growth all through that country, and in the
march of events Glen Echo Heights will not be
found tagging behind.
subdivision of land between Glen Echo
and this city has recently been made Ii is
known as River View park, and the intention is
70 establish suburban settlement there.
Mr.. wILLARD's ROW OF HOUSES
L. f. Schneider, architect, has completed the
plans of a block of twelve houses for Henry A.
Willard to be bull. on the northeast corner of
10th and > streets northwest (the old circus
grounds). and Vim. p. Lipscomb, the builder
will begin the work on Monday. The houses
viii have frontage of nearly twenty feet each
and will be three stories high and will stand on
terrace. With variety Of bays and towers
and high slate roofs these houses will be very
attractive. The first floor will have parlor
dining-room, kitchen and pantry and on each
OF the two upper floors there will be three
chambers. The interiors will be finished in
natural wood. oil finish, and they will be heated
by furnace. IL Is the intention Of Mr. Willard
TO continue the Improvement Of the entire
square.
Very Small I'm the Boys Eyes.
Prom the Atlanta Constitution
The small boy is a terror when he has an in
curing mind. Such boy strolled into the