Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-17

ties of the City.
LARGE INVESTMENTS IN REAL EsTATE-A NEW
BUSINESS BUILDING ON srREEr-oTHER
MATTERS.
YNHE PROPOSED CHANGE in the motive
Il power now used on the Washington and
Georgetown railroad will have an influence on
real estate values here. When the cars on the
avenue and 14th street lines are moved by cable
instead OF by horses, there will be an actual
saving Of time which amounts to about four
minutes for each mile travelled. 1t is proposed
to adopt the same rate Of speed on the new
lines as that which prevails on the It'll street
cable road. This is about seven and one-half
miles an hour, which is q mile in eight min
utes. A higher rate could easily be maintained,
but it is considered that it would not be safe to
move through crowded streets more rapidly
The distance from Georgetown to the navy yard,
which is about five miles, is now made in about
an hour. By the new cable road people can go
from one of these places to the other in forty
minutes. On the same basis it is estimated
| that resident Of Mount Pleasant can go from
his home to the Center Market in little more
than twenty minutes. The electric roads al
ready in operation in this city and those that
are being built also increasing the speed of
travel. The effect of this improvement in the
methods of street railroad transportation upon
real estate values is readily apparent. 1t brings
the outskirts Of the city nearer to the center Of
population and business and that is the prime
| need in every great city. For various reasons,
| the majority OF people are obliged or rather
they do live some distance away from their
business. The distance depends entirely on
the facilities for travel If they are rapid and
frequent then the city spreads out from the
center, the suburbs fill up and vast number
are able to own and occupy their own homes
who otherwise would be obliged to live in
rented quarters.
IN THE SUBURBS.
The increase in the suburban population has
been one of the marked features of the devel-
opment of the city during the past few years.
and, with the exception of the region along the
steam railroads, this has been done in spite Of
the extremely meager transportation facilities
which have existed. New roads, however. have
been built and others are in progress of con-
structiOn or are proposed and there is no doubt
that the activity in this direction is the out
come OF legitimate demand representing the
necessities of an increasing population. The
change to the cable system now about to be
made by the Washington and Georgetown rail-
road and the adoption by the other city rail-
roads Of improved systems will naturally
result in giving an impetus to the erection of
houses in the remote portions Of the city. where
the population is comparatively meager.
There is another feature abort the adoption
OF the cable system which is of interest in the
real estate market The company has recently
spent in acquiring land for the erection of a
power house and car houses the large sum of
$685. GOO. With the exception Of purchases
made by the government this is the largest
amount ever invested al one time in real estate
| in this city. About year and half ago a syn
| dictate bought up what was known as the Flana-
gan tract. which comprised number Of squares
around Lincoln Park. east of the Capitol.
Their investment amounted to $3.50 900. Larger
sums than either Of the above named have
been expended in the purchase of suburban
property, notably the investment last spring by
the Sharon estate and others interested of
| about million and half dollars in land be-
pany, in addition to the large amount
| expended in buying the Nailor square,
where the power house is to be
located, has decided to erect a building which
will cost about 100000. When this building
Is completed and the new post Office building,
which is to cost nearly -, 000. 900, has been
erected. the south side of Pennsylvania avenue,
| which has been in a neglected condition for so
many years. will bear comparison at least in
these two localities with any street in the city,
as far as the mere expenditure Of money at any
rate Is concerned.
MRS. noRNsBY's RESIDENCE.
unique residence has been erected on
Rhode Island avenue near 10th street for Mrs.
| r. b. Hornsby. The design of the front, as
well as the materials used strongly suggests the
Flemish style of architecture. There is the
high-pointed gable, which accentuates the
height of the rather narrow front. The buff
bricks, used mainly in the construction of the
walls, the odd shape of the bay projection and
the device OF an oriel window contribute to the
quaintness of effect, which is such a marked
feature of this tpye of architecture. The ir-
regular style is further enhanced by the
broken line of the front. The material
employed in the construction Of this picturesque
house is buff bricks and light red stone. which
forms a pleasing combination. The principal
| entrance is on a level with the street and leads
| into large entrance hall. On the left is the
| staircase, which occupies the projection and
novelty of running the staircase in the
front Of the house is one of the pleasant
surprises of this attractive home.
The first landing brings the visitor directly
into the main parlor, which occupies the entire
width OF the house with the exception Of the
space taken up by the staircase. Back of this
| room is the dining room, with the buffers
pantry and back staircase still further in the
| rear. Beneath is the kitchen and the other
domestic apartments. The interior is finished
| in pine, which is painted in various rich shades
to harmonize with the decorations of the walls
and the color of the hangings and furniture.
The entrance hall and parlor finished in
light colors. the dining room in delicate shade
paneled and the mantels are graceful designs,
enriched with carving and paneling and painted
in the same shades that prevail in the finish Of
the wood work of the rooms. Instead of tiles
the fireplaces in some instances are faced with
Mexican and other rich marbles.
IMPROVING THRArER.
Plans have been prepared by Mr.. W. Bruce
Gray, architect, for the new addition to Her
mans Theater. Some time ago Mr.. Herman
purchased q piece Of property on the south
side Of Pennsylvania avenue near 18th street.
The rear Of this property abuts on the theater
property, and it is the intention to make here
the principal entrance to the theater The
entrance on 18th street will only be used for ad-
mission to the gallery. When the improve
mcnts now under contemplation are completed,
the theatsr viii practically front ON Pennsyl-
vania avenue. The design of the avenue front
win be pleasing combination Of brick and
| stone. There will be three stories, and the two
upper noors will be available for business pur-
poses or for Offices. On the first floor, which is
the entrance to the theaser, there viii be a
spacious entrance lobby on q level with the
street. Then win come the main lobby, which
Il the approach 10 the theater. Here will be
located the ticket office. When the improve
ments ARE completed the name Of this place of
amusement will be the Lyceum Theater Mr..
Gray is also preparing plans for new theatcr
which Mr.. Ksrnsn win erect in Baltimore on .
| site recently purchased BY him sdjoining TIE
hnnHarnv ~ HrniN