Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-13


DENCE-oTHER MATTERS OF INTEREST.
Several important sales of real estate have
been made during the past week. Perhaps the
most notable was the sale of the old Wads-
worth place at public auction. This is one of
the country places which was notable in the
earher years of the city. when the suburbs
possessed attractions a place Of residence far
superior to the city. It lies in the western
boundary of the village Of Mount Pleasant and
some years ago it Was considered 20 be quite
distance i'll the country. Some time ago the
country place Of Mr.. S. 7. Brown which ad-
joins it ON the east. was subdiyided into build
ing lots as an addition 20 Mount Pleasant
and in this way the march of mod
eru improvements was brought to the doors
of the old WGd-worth home. There was a great
deal OF interest manifested in the sale. and the
representatives, of several syndicates formed
for the purchase of the property were in at
tendance. Careful investors valued the prop
erty at from 100000 to $4,000. and several
parties were authorized to make bids with
In these figures. The bidding was soon forced
beyond these figures by hundred-dOllar bids
until II was finally knocked down for Slj6.SOO
to Mr.. John A. Baker. of this city. As there
are 81 acres in the place the price obtained was
more than $1,000 per acre. which may be
garded as the highest price paid at auction for
land similarly located. The growth OF the city
Heved that the price obtained was fully war
ranted. 1t is the intention of the new owner to
sub-dlv1de the property into building sites.
The auetioneer. Mr.. Waiter Il. Williams,
whose experience in real estate sales goes
back to period before the war. told STAR
reporter that he could not recall auction
sale where such large amount Of money had
been paid for single piece of property. He
said that some wears ago a whole square of land
in the city would not have brought such a
large sum. He thought that it showed how the
value OfsprOperty was approaching when land
within the recollection of yOang men which
was not worth more than two or three hundred
dollars per acre now is held at so many thou
sand dollars per acre.
SALE OF NINTH STREET PROPERTY.
Another sale of some note the purchase
by Jno. Paul Jones of the Lochiel house prop
erty. on the west side of 9th street. between f
and F streets. The building is tive-story
brick, and il has frontage of 80 feet. the lot
being 101 feet deep. Without considering the
value of the improvements the property
brought over az per square foot. Mr.. Jones
proposes to make some Improvements TO the
property.
LARGE BLOCK OF RESIDENCE PROPERTY.
During the past week the sale of a large
block of land in the residence part of the city
was also contaminated The purchase COM
prised two lots having frontage of So and 81
feet on Massachusetts avenue. between goth
and 2lst streets and extending back to 7 street,
with varying depth of from $50 TO l20 feet
The lots were purchased several Years ago by
Secretary Blaine from Mr.. Vim. Walter Phelps
Mr.. Blaine at the same time bought the lot adj
joining ON the east. where he built a large resi-
dence. which he still owns. The two lots con-
tam some 5000 feet of ground. and the sale of
such large block of land at one time i'll that
locality Is rather Unusual. The purchaser was
MIR. Samuel VI. Bryan. the general manager of
the telephone company. Mr.. Bryan proposes
10 erect a fine residence for his own
portion of this ground. He intends to have
ample lawns about tie house and Il garden in
the rear. Mr.. Bryan now occupies one Of the
fine residences Of The city. which he built few
years ago. on the opposite side of Massdciiu-
sets avenue. near 2lst street. 1t is his design
TO make the new house much larger and hand
somer than his present residence.
Mr.. CROSS NEW RESIDENCE.
". Bruce Gray has prepared plans for al
terations in the house. 81 b street southeast.
which is to be occupied by Nr. Samuel Cross.
The present front viii be removed and new
press-bric& front put in. A large extension
Will BE added III the rear. which will be fitted
up as a music room. Other improvements will
be made and the entire house will be mod
erniZed.
THE FEDERAL BUILDING PROPERTY.
The litigation which has been going on for
some years over the title to the property at the
southeast corner of eth and streets. known as
by decision of the Supreme Court. Mr.. Il. c.
Robbins retains the ownership to the portion
extending 100 feet along 9Th and 40 on F street.
while the heirs of the Rollins estffe have the
portion with frontage of 30 feet on F. The
latter part has been advertised to be sold at
auction. and 1t Is probable that if arrangements
can be made the entire building Will be re-
moved and a handsome modern structure
erected IN its place. The old building Is one
of the landmarks OF the city. When Mr.. Rob
bins first acquired an interest in the property,
about the year 1850. the corner was occupied
by dwelling owned by Mr.. Jacob Glide on His
residence was a few doors below. on eth street.
Mr.. Robbins added 10 the height of the
building and extended it along 9TH street
and when the grade of street was changed
by the board of public works the
basement of the building became the first
story. Mr.. Robbins acquired an interest in the
part of the building on f street. which was
then row of private buildings. During the
war he erected large building in the rear
which he intended TO be used for a hotel, with
an entrance on street but this plan was not
carried out The property was subsequently
purchased by the German American savings
bank. and after that institution closed its doors
MIR. Rollins. who was at one time commissioner
OF internal revenue. bought the property as a
part OF the assets OF the bank.
TWO SMALL HOUSES.
Two houses are being erected by Mr.. VIM.
Ballautyne at the southeast corner of ind
2lst streets. The plans have been prepared by
Mr.. James G. Hill. architect and provide for
two-story houses with roof story and base
ment. The entrance of one house viii be on
street and that of the other Oil 2lst street
The houses viii be built OF brick and the in
terror will be finished in natural woods
G-sTREET IMPROVEMENT
Among the changes now iii progress along
the line of G street and the cross streets the
Transformation OF many of the old dwelling
houses into business premises is noticeable
Such change Is now in progress in the build
ing 1903 street. for DIR. Gustav H. Kuhn
the piano dealer. who is now located on
10th street. near the gas Office. The house
wing IA Is one OF the substanstlal buildings OF a
prf lOus generation, Is being thoroughly re-
arranged, the ceilings OF the lower story being
raised and tine story itself extended back some
fofty feet This extension will be lighted bv
skyIght. and the whole adapted to MIR. Kuhn's
business. The front of the house will be re-
modelled IN accordance with modern ideas
Elegant show windows will be added on the
nrst story and a Handsome cOrnice and central
Pedlment Will mark the crown OF the building
IL Il intended to finish the front in colonial
cOlors. and the result Is expected to be a novelty
In business architecture. The architects are
Messrs. Low Kendall. and the contractor is
Mr.. &. \. Langley. The completed building
will cost IN the neighborhood o: $4,000.
The stuff of Which Gentlemen are Made
From the Buffalo Courier