Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-25

coMMoDATIoSs-IMPRovE IN PROGRESS
IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE CITY.
The attorneys and title companies engaged
in title investigation in this District have an
nounced an increase in the schedule of fees
charged for that service. The rate prevailing
in this District for the past twenty years or
more has been S25 for examination and alb
stract of title. The new fee is $40. 1t is ex-
planned that the old rate was fixed at time
when there were about $50 volumes of records
in the Office of the recorder of deeds. Now
there are Said to be twice that number, and it
is held that an advance in the fees is necessary
in order to pay for the increased time and trou-
BILE which title search involves. A large pro-
portion of the addition to the records has been
made in the past few years. when the activity
in real estate transactions has been greater
than at any previous period in the history of
the city. The increase in the population and
in the number of houses during the same period
shows the substantial character of this move
ment.
FAVORABLE BUILDING RECORD.
The records of the building inspectors Office
makes an extremely favorable showing. The
building for the spring season is ahead of the
same season last year not only in the actual
number ofnew buildings for which permits
have been issued. but, according to Inspector
Entwlsle, in the average character of the build
lngs. The total number of permits for new
buildings issued for the months of February.
March and April, 1889, was 65S. The total
number issued for the same months of last
year was $50 The record by the month is
follows: 1889. February, 246; March. 227, and
April, 1s5; 1888, February, LOG; March, 200;
April, $50.
CITY STREETS IN THE COUNTY
The latest suburban subdivision is that of
South Brookland. This is a tract of some 81
acres. adjoining on the south the subdivision of
land at Brooks station on the Metropolitan
Branch. 1t lies between lexington and
BrOOkland. and is on line with Rhode Island
avenue extended This subdivision has re-
Gently been approved by the Commissioners
and il made in accordance with the law reauir-
ing that all streets in suburban subdivisions
offered for the approval of the District au-
thOrities must be on the same lines as those in
the city and of the same width The streets
IN South BrOOkland are. therefore. 90 feet WIDE
and the north and south streets are continue
tons of those in the city. As. for instance.
18th. 18th. 1ith and 18th streets north
east are defined. The east and west streets are
named for the principal cities of the country.
IN alphabetical order. and Cincinnati street. De-
trOlt street. &c, appear in this subdivision.
Rhode Island avenue. $50 feet wide. is laid
down. and there Is a circle which is about the
same size as Thomas circle. and will be known
as Dahlgren circle. This locality is regarded
by Mcssrs. Walker and Denson. who made the
subdivision. as giving promise of great future.
They point out that it is near the terminus of
the electric road. near the new Catholic univer-
sIty. and adjoins BroOkland. which already con-
talns number of pretty country residences.
FAMILIAR LANDMARK GONE.
The little, old white frame house. which has
stood for so many years at the northeast cor
ner of 10Th and X streets, has been torn down.
Ii has been for long period the home of the
family of John F. Cook. the ex-collector of
taxes III the District. Mr.. Cook himself occu-
pied the brick house which stood on the same
lot. but fronting on 10th street Recently this
entire property. having frontage of over 100
feet on each street. was sold to Mrs. Chandler,
the widow of ex-senator Zach Chandler of
Michigan. IL Is the intention of the new owner
TO build a handsome residence there and Mr..
Roach, Boston architect. is engaged in draw
ing the plans. 1t is not the intention to occupy
the entire front on either street with the house
itself. The building will be located on the
corner. aid. with the ample parking as well as
grounds on all sides, 1t will practically be To-
Gated In the midst of a spacious lawn Judge
Wylie has recently purchased, through the
agent OF the Cook property, Mr.. Il. o. HoltZ-
man. lot adjoining, on street. where he in
tends to build a house for his own use.
AN EAST WASHINGTON IMPROVEMENT.
At the southeast corner of Maryland avenue
and Sd street northeast row of seven four
story houses are being erected. This point of
land, formed by the intersection of MARYLAND
avenue, Sd and streets, was recently pur-
chased by Messrs. Geo. Z. Emmons and c. W.
King. who are making the Improvement The
location is a conspicuous one. commanding a
view to the Capitol, and the new houses will
make decided improvement in that quarter
OF the city.
ESLARGISG THE FESDALL BUILDING.
The Fendall building. at the southeast cor
ner of Indiana avenue and "A street. is to be
enlarged Plans have been prepared for an
addition on the east, which will be of about
the same size as the present building Mr.
Reginald Fendall. in making this improve
ment, Is carrying out the plan which he had
originally In view. The Office building. as it
now stands, was designed with reference to its
extension in the near future, and when the new
part Is finished 1t will be complete building
and also one of the largest and handsomest
Office buildings in that section of the city, The
builder Is Mr.. Charles Edmonston.
FINE SUBURBAN RESIDENCE
On the hill overlooking the city at the head
Of Connecticut avenue fine residence is being
built for yAdmiral Quackenbush. While the
house VIII be spacious one even for the sub
urbs, the grounds about il will also have some
thing OF the roOminess of the country. The
lot has frontage of 80 feet ON Columbia road
and runs back to 18th street extended The
house. square structure of brick has a COM
Portable appearance. The subs tantal character
OF the construction is in keeping with the plain
sSt AA'ltAnb lt VI architecture. MT. W, Bruce
Gray, the architect who drew the plans has
given his subject a broad treatment There
are no projections. except that the south
west corner is rounded into a tower The
main entrance. which is in the center of the
front, Is marked by deep brick arch Over
the window openings are fine arches Of brick,
and between the second and third story is a
broad course Of bricks laid in pattern The
cornice Ii of brick finished with copper The
structure is surmounted by high pitched roof
Of slate. and II rests upon a solid foundation of
stone. There is a yestibule opening into a
broad hall which extends through the center of
the house with rooms opening from it ON both
sides All the rooms on the first floor
will be finished in hard woods and all
the appointments of the house will be the same
as that of a city home. Like the other fine
private residences on Washington Heights in
the immediate vicinity. the residence of Ad-
miral Quackenbush unites the advantages of a
city and country home. There is a water
supply from a stand-pipe, sewers, and gas.
The builder Is John Sweeny.
ENHANCING A HOTEL BUILDING
The recent purchase of the McLane and
HELEN property, on street. between 10th and
18th streets. and extending from the residence
Of Mr.. Justice Gray to the Riggs property, by
Dir. W. l. Prall. Is preparatory to the erection
OF another addition to the Arno hotel When
the new part is completed the structure will be
one of the largest hotel buildings in the city,
having "A total frontaUe N 18th straat ap3 m,