Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-09-06


july -.....................l IDA ia
Total I,69O 1,7ss
1t is estimated that at leas. Is per cent Of
the permits taken out for new buildings are
for houses. On this basis it will be seen that
nearly 400 new dwelling houses have been
erected or are in progress of erection in the
District since the beginning of the present
year. The remaining months of the year will
contribute their quota to the permit fund of
the building inspector, end by the close OF the
year it is safe to say the addition to the house
capacity OF the city will be relatively larger
than IL was at the same period the year be-
fore
This comparison of the building operations
for portion OF two years shows no unusual
results, as there has been a steady increase in
the number of new buildings erected here an
nually for period of years past. Since 1880 a
yearly average Of 500 dwelling houses have
been built in the District. For the past five
years the yearly average has reached 1000
dwelling houses, while great number of
apartment houses, hotels, stores and other
buildings have been erected. Since 1880 over
$4,000 dwelling houses have been built in the
District
LOOKING FOR HOUSE.
The annual hunt for houses has begun. As
soon as the weather grows q little cool and the
LIST OF September arrives then people begin to
think about looking around for winter quarters.
There is always a certain percentage of house,
holders who make annual changes in their
places OF residence. Sometimes they have the
hope OF lettering themselves and then again
they like the change So when the hot
weather comes they pack up their household
goods and store them. The children 20 out OF
the city with the mother aud the father camps
around during the summer. Then when the
fall season begins and it 10 time for the schools
to open the family returns to the city and the
hunt for house begins. Then again there
are people, and each year this class Is increas-
ing. who have decided to make their homes in
this city for the future. They must have .
changes incident to life in this city there is
quite an array of house hunters each
fall The real estate agents are kept busy
answering questions and showing houses
and there is quite good deal Of activity and
hustle to break the calm which has prevailed
in the real estate Offices during the hot weather
months. The supply Of houses seems to be
equal to the demand. although it is difficult
sometimes for particular individual to fnd
particular house in particular locality. The
supply of houses that are worth ESQ month
that can be rented for S25 per month il not
any greater this year than it has been In
years past This is a Encouraging circumstance
to those who are looking for that class of
houses, and the situation is rendered still more
hopeless by the fact that such houses are not
being built
The house hunter makes the further discov-
cry that rents are about the same as they were
last year. The rent market does not seem to
be affected by the large number of new houses
that are being built each year, and the conclu-
sion ID reached that either the population 10
keeping pace with the growing house capacity
OF the city or else there are great many va
cant houses in the city. The latter conclusion
Is, however, hardly consistent with good bust
ness principles, as the great majority Of prop
hOldpra wnrll1 IA q.
reduce the rent in order to procure tenants
than have the property stand idle As rents
remain hrm. 1t ID argued that the supply Of
houses is about equal to the demand. This
seems to be the opinion OF the men who make
business Of building houses, if the large num-
Der OF new houses that are going up in all
parts OF tho city may be taken as an indication
Of their opinion Of the condition Of the market.
RHxoDELrNo AN OLD HOTEL BUILDING.
The hotel building at the southeast corner Of
7th and streets, formerly known as the Clin-
ton House, Is to be remodeled and refitted for
hotel purposes. The owner Of the property.
Mrs. Ellen G. Wright, has had plans prepared
for this improvement by Messrs. Pitney d
Bradford, architects. It is proposed to add one
story to the height Of the present building,
making it i've stories, aud to modernize the
front,
BUSINESS PROPERTY on CONNECTICUT AVENUE
The vacant ground at the southwest corner
OF Connecticut avenue and NJ street, which has
been held for some time by syndicate, has re-
Gently been purchased by Mr.. Jas. NJ. John
ston. The price paid for this property was
$4,000 which is at the rate Of %. 40 per square
foot The ground, which ia irregular in shape
has frontage Of i0s1S feet on Connecticut
avenue and AZ feet on NJ street. 1t occupies
what is believed will be the farthest northern
limit. for some years at least. OF the movement
which has been in progress to change the resi-
dence property on Connecticut avenue from X
to NJ streets into business property. The west
side between the points named Is now practi-
cally all devoted to business purposes and has
become business center Of Considerable i'm
portance.
Mr.. AsH's RESIDENCE.
Mr.. James r Ash is having q residence
erected for his own use on 18th street between
and streets. The front, which is one Of
the effective designs drawn by Messrs. Pitney
d Bradford, architects, Will DO built Of press
brick with brown stone trimmings. rounded
bay window extends to the roof line where il
is finished with q tower. One Of the features
OF the front will be an open porch marked BY
fine arch OF stone. The spaces between the
stories Of the house will be adorned by broad
courses Of brick work laid in basket work
design. The parlor. dining room and kitchen
viii occupy the fret floor.