Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-11
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP,
Busy Builders and What They are
Doing.

BUSY builders and What They are
Doing.
SOME COSTLY PRIVATE RESIDENCES RECENTLY
soLD-HASDsoNE HOUSES now BEING BUILT IN
THIS cIrY-AcTTvIrY ALONG THE WASHINGTON
BRANCH AND oTHEB MATTERS OF INTEREST.
ihere mas been a marked increase in build
ing operations during the past ten days Ar
cnltects, who generally feel first the breeze of
areVlVlng activity, say that business is improv-
ing Picking up" is the way most of them
express 1t, which indicates that business has
not been entirely at a stand-stil There has
been good deal of building this season, but
not so much as many anticipated. Now, how
ever, there has come a change. and the pros
poets for a busy, prosperous season in the
building trades is now assured. The improve
ments in progress are not confined to any one
section OF the city. In all parts OF the city new
buildings are being erected and in the sub
urbs the usual spring activity Is manifest.
Many OF the new houses now being erected are
of a very superior character, and the additions
to the attractive architecture Of the city are a
marked feature of the Improvements now iii
progress.
COSTLY REsIDENCEs.
The recent sale of Judge Wylie's house to
Chief Justice Fuller for 10O COO is one of several
pieces oI properly. ds.IOr
instance. the residence of Mr. Alexander Graham
Bell to Vice-President Morton. the residence of
the late W. NJ. Gait to the new Senator from
Michigan, Dir. Mcmillan, and the residence of
eX-Secretary Whitney to Postmaster General
Wanamaker. All the houses named above are
hne large residences aud brought in the neigh
borhOod of SlO0,0CO Al only few weeks
ago that S65.00O paid for building site at
the northeast corner of 10th and streets. The
value of Washington property is considered to
he ~ Hyvbo
ing to pay such large sums for a home. These
instances, however, are the exceptions. the
bulk of the houses offered for sale in the city
are held at much lower figures.
SENATOR sAwYERs NEW HOME.
One of the palatial residences of the city is
now being erected by Senator Sawyer. 1t occu-
pies triangular piece of ground, formed by
tine intersection of Connecticut avenue with
10Th street at L street, and commands a fine
view down Connecticut avenue to Dupont
Circle. The house stands by itself, with wide
parking the three sides overlooking the
streets. Built entirely of brown stone, the
house would have heavy effect were II not for
the graceful design. which relieves and light
ems the mass of stone, The hiGh-poiuted roof.
covered with red tile. is broken by gables and
towers. A graceful tower at the corner. sup
ported by a column forming a feature
OF the covered stone porch at the main
entrance, IS enriched with carving. The
window openings set deeply in the
massive stone walls filled with plate-glass
which enTiChes the entire exterior of the house
There Is but little OF what may be called orna-
meutatIOn. Good construction. working out a
graceful design, has produced an effect of quiet
elegance. The same treatment prevails in the
interior. The main entrance is from Connec-
tcut avenue through stone porch. There is
4 large and rOOmy central hall with the stair
case III the rear. At the head of the first fight
of steps Is a spacious resting place lighted by
windows In the rear of the house. This ar
house an idea of spaciOusness which is very
impressive On one side of the hall is the re-
ceptlon-room, parlor, and dining-room. and on
the Connecticut avenue side Is the large music
room. All the rooms on the first floor are fin
ished in hard wood with high wainscoting
and panelied ceilings when required by the
harmony of the design. On the second floor.
ia addition 10 the spacious chambers, is a large
library, which will be fitted up very hand
somely. The house Is really four stories high,
as the space afforded by the lofty roof forms
very convenient rooms. In the rear there is a
fine porte cochcre. through which carriages NAV
be driven and the occupants enter the house
through door opening into the main hallway
The house viii be heated by both the direct
and indirect methods. and all the appointments
are IN keeping with the handsome design and
construction of the house. The conspicuous
position Of the house makes it prominent
feature amid the fine architecture of that part
Of the city. 1t will be ready for occupancy
early IN the coming fall The house was built
By W. +. Lipscomb. OF this city.
Mr.. cHAPIN's FINE RESIDENCE.
Another handsome residence is to be built on
Massachusetts, avenue, between 18th and 18th
streets. Mr. Phillip z. Chapin, of Philadel-
pha, has been living in the city this winter. and
has become SO much pleased with the city as a
place of residence that he has determined to
build home here. Harvey l.. Page the archi-
tect. has drawn the plans and the contract has
been awarded to W. Z. LipscOmb. The lot has
q frontage OI 81 feet, and the house will occupy
the entire space. II will be built of brown
stone and the main entrance will be
IN the center of the house, allow
ing space on both sides tor rooms
a bay window will extend TO the top of the
house, where it will be finished with tower
rising above the high roof over the entrance
Will be stone oriel OF graceful design. There
Will be a wide entrance hall. with pretty little
nook NJ one side with n window opening out on
the porch The drawing-roOm will be 20 feet
deep and will open into the dining-room. which
viii be OctagOnal in shape. The library occu-
pies the front of the house and will be finished
in quartered oak and. in this particular will
correspond with the hall. Both Of these rooms
will be wainscoted and have paneled ceilings
The drawing-room will be finished in white
and the dining room will be enriched with ma
hogany.
Handsome residences for Mr.. A. Lisner. Mr.
Bloomer and DIR. Mcclure are now being
erected on this block.
ALONG THE WASHINGTON BRANCH
Along the line of the Washington branch of
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad there is
good deal Of activity in property matters Just
1T present. as is the case, generally speaking.
along the lines of the other roads leading out
OF the city. The railroad company is gradUl-
ally waking up to the fact that Washington is
growing and that modern methods are needed
IN suburban railroad management. On the
Washington branch there are now each day some
twenty-five trains daily between Washington
and Baltimore. A complete line of villages
and suburban residences Is gradually being
formed, extending some miles from this city.
At Monticello, a station which is within the
District lines. large tract of land has been
subdivided. Beyond, at Mills station. D. ].
Howell. OF this city, civil engineer, is sub
dlvicing piece OF proPu for Mr. Edwin A.
Newman. who recently pur :hasHd :. portion of
the Clark Mills place. Thu streets will be ex-
tended on the same lines as those in the CITY,
and Cincinnati and 18th street intersect on Mr.
Newman's property.
The station below is Highlands where the
picturesque house of the Country club sur
rounded with beautiful grounds. is located. On
the opposite side OF the railroad there is a sub
division OF land and several cottages have been
erected.
A number Of new houses are being built at
Hyat:syille, and that fourishing town is going
ahead IN a very enterprising style.
A short distance below Is RiYerdale park
which ia he tn tba al