Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-14
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Variety In the Color ~ Well as In the Desixp
of BuildinyS

hEAL ESTATE GOSSIP.
Variety In the Color Well as In the Design
of Buildings
YELLOW AND wHrTE ARE TEE FASHIONABLE
coLoRs-cHANaEs IN THE BUSINESS SECTIONS
OF THE cIrY-orHER MATTERS OF rSrEREsr-
THE NEW HOTEL PROJECT.
WHETHER IT Is DUE TO THE IN.
w fuence OF the chrysanthemum shows
or not it is certainly the case tina,
white and yellow are becoming the pre-
vailing co,ors for the exterior of buildings
II used to be said that this is q red brick
city. and while brick undoubtedly remains the
most popular building material, yet the color
has changed Where nature has not herself
made the color Of the clay something else than
red, art comes in and either colors the clay
before it is burnt or else applies by the
painters brush new shade Of color. At any
rate, however, it is done; yellow and white in
varying shades are displayed in the fronts of
line residences, as well as the exterior Of bust
ness buildings. The large structures occupied
as hotels have in several cases recently wheeled
into line and now look sweet and clean as
fresh paint can make them. The change
Is good one. 1t gives variety, and il
there Is one thing more than another that espe-
ciaiy distinguishes this city in the eyes OF APP
preciative visitors from other cities in this
country it is the great and entertaining variety
which the buildings present Heretofore this
distinction applied only to the external forms.
which are said to represent diversity in archi-
tectural designs a. once attractive and inter
esting. The material used in giving form to
these designs was largely the same-namely,
red brick-but now stone is used quite gener-
any, and another phase of the change presents
itseif IN the color fad. 1t may be due to the
influence of the colonial revival in architect
ure, but whatever the cause it is certainly to be
welcomed as addinga new feature to the variety
which makes this city one OF the most pictur-
esque and interesting from architectural
standpoint in the country. Fortunately the
spread of this fashion is independent of the
progress in building, as an old building can. by
tue use OF paint, be made study in yellows and
whites almost equally as well as if it had been
built up anew with brick of those shades.
IN THE BUSINESS SECTION.
The transformation effected by the applica-
ton of paint in the appearance of an old build
ing is sometimes quite surprising. The effect
of such a change is, however. surpassed by that
produced by a few and apparently slight alter
atoms. Practical instances are seen on any of
the business streets. The lower portion of the
front of some old dingy building is taken out
and replaced with new work. Generally the
alterations are confined to putting in a show
window. which. however, contains such an ex-
panse Of plate glass in a frame which glistens
in its new coat of paint that the effect is alto
gether quite impressive. Perhaps the entire
cost OF the change was met by a
check for few hundred dollars, but
the improvement in the appearance of the
street amounts to a good deal more. Besides
there is the increase in the business facilities.
In the growth of the business section the pro-
portion of new buildings erected to the
old ones remodeled and refitted for business
purposes is quite small. In themselves
these changes are quite insignificant, but in
the course of few years, even when no new
buildings are put up, the appearance of q
street or of a section of the city assumes an en-
urely different character. Where residences
stood only year or two ago are now the sites
OF fiourishing business establishments. Splen-
did new buildings follow naturally as business
expands, but the pioneer step in the march of
improvements is generally the Insignificant
work OF alteration which transforms a residence
into a business building. 1t is only a few
years ago that T street was street Of resi-
dences. g street to considerable extent is
still occupied by residences, but the movement
is making rapid progress which is surely
changing the character OF that street The
same is true of the side streets and in fact of
the entire section from 9Th street west to 18th
street and beyond.
THE NEW HOTEL PROJECT.
The much talked of hotel at the head of 10th st.
is still being discussed, but it is said now that
solid basis for practical action has been reached
This is the opinion Of Mr.. T. f. Roessle. who
has taken hold of the project with great deal
of earnestness. He not only intends to put his
own money in the enterprise, but he will be the
manager of the hotel The prospects for So
curing the capital needed are, he says, favor
able, and If the plans now contemplated are
carried OUT a handsome structure on the ele-
tod 70 "a,
at a cost Of over n million dollars. The pro-
posed building will be large and spacious and
the accommodations first-class in every respect.
1t will be built around two large covered courts,
one of which can be used as a ball room on occa-
sions when large receptions are held. This part
of the hotel will be entirely distinct from that
portion occupied by the guests. In anticipa-
ton of the erection of hotel of this character
it is stated that an option has been secured on
the property Of the Wayland Seminary, which
adjoins the hotel site on the north.
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS.
The advance in values of real estate in this
city is a subject that is rather familiar to every
one who has paid any attention TO the real es-
tate market. In fact, it is to some extentforced
upon the attention, for it is natural that a man
who has made good thing out Of an invest
ment should let his friends know aboutit As a
rule, the owner of piece of property that has
1
is due in some way to his sagacity. There is
no doubt room for the exercise of judgment in
the purchase of real estate, but it is also fact
that an infant in arms, for example, five years
ago could have bouShtproperty most anywhere
in or about the city. and by selling it now
at the current prices would make hand
some profit The growth of the city
has made this possible. A'few weeks
ago loan at per cent for about
$4,000 was placed on piece of property
which four years ago was purchased for about
$1,000. The owner has in the meantime re-
fused an offer of 500, 900 for his holding While
such an experience is in kind if not in degree
quite common, yet it sometimes happens that
an investment does not turn out SO we'll An
attempt was made recently to sell ut auction a
property for which the owner a few years ago
paid something like $40, 900. The highest bid
that could be obtained was about $4,000 and
the property was withdrawn at that figure.
Written for the Evening Star.
Saunterlng.
"A Sdfnte- Terrier. Saunterer-a HIGHLANDER"