Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-11
T,HE EDITOR OF ONE OF THE LEADING

l EEAkSf.
THE EDITOR OF ONE OF THE LEADING
L architectural papers not long ago while on
visit to this city had photographs taken Of
several residences here. He has begun the re-
production OF those photographs in his paper.
and the first picture printed is full-page Illus
| ration Of the residence of Mr.. Samuel Ward
IN street between 18th and 18th streets.
1 This house designed by the architects
Messrs Hornblower and Marshall, and is rs
| unpretentious as a straight facade unbroken
| by projections can make it. The front, how
| ever, is enriched with fine brick work, the
| frieze and the deep arches over the openings
being especially handsome. As a type Of do
nestle architecture il is evidently regarded by
| this expertas worthy of special attention. If
ii is the intention to illustrate all the types Of
| architecture that may be found in this city the
| series will be apt to be prolonged and a large
proportion of the private residences will be
| produced in fac smile. The variety in archi-
/ tecturai forms is one of the notable features
about this city. There seems to be no one style
that suits any considerable number Of people.
If the editor had taken advice az to
the houses to select he would in all prob
ability have never reached a conclusion. Mr..
Wards house, for example, might not suit the
taste OF some, and for that reason another &C.
one question about which there il such di-
| versity Of opinion as there is regarding styles
| in architecture. A house that seems to one
person the ideal Of artistic beauty is pro-
| nounced by another one Of the leading atroci-
ties Of the city. The most expensive houses
in the city, and those designed by the leading
| architects, are criticised. great many people
do not like the residences in this city designed
by Richardson, who was said to have been the
great architect Of his day. Still his influence
a nan, hnra vrha
| ampies of the Romanesque sty lie of architect
ure, which he especially cultivated. The stand
ard Of taste here, however. as may be readily
seen, Is high, andfthe style of the average house
is, perhaps, better than in any other city; One
cause that contributes to this is the dislike to
the monotony Of rows of houses. When
row of houses is built it Is generally
the case that the architect has introduced as
much variety as possible in the design of the
various houses There is also great deal of
individual building here Instead Of depend
ing upon spectators to supply houses. man
buys a lot md builds his own house. Naturally
his house, in the exterior at least differs from
his neighbor. In this way also q taste for
architecture is cultivated, and instead Of being
willing to follow in the beaten tracks, the aver
age house builder desires change and novelty
If it is compatible with his purse and 1t gem
orally Is. For this reason frequent changes oc-
cur In the prevailing style OF architecture.
Queen Anne is succeeded by the Romanesaue
and the latter by the colonial Fashions pre-
vail in the construction of houses as well as in
their furnishing, and people here seemed to be
on the alert for new IDEAS Some day, perhaps,
Washington school of architecture may be es-
tablished which will set the style for the rest OF
the country.
Mr.. LEITER's RESIDENCE.
There is a good deal of interest in the resi-
dence which MIR. Letter proposee to build on
his newly-purchased lot fronting on Dupont
10 a
quite the finest private residence that has been
erected in this city for some time. In fact.
some say that 1t is going ahead OF ANYTHING
here 1t is said that it will cost at least $3.50 OOO
The plans have not yet been prepared, but it
is understood that the preliminary work ia
being pushed forward rapidly and the building
operations win be begun during the present
season. When completed this house will be
mentioned in the same connection as the
Hearst house and the sawyer house located in
tnat vicinity, and with the Warder house, the
HAY Adams house, the Chandler house, the
Anderson house and Other residences which
represent the tine types Of domestic archi-
lecture
Mr.. HILLS RESIDENCE
A fine residence ia to be built by Mr.. W. G.
Hill on NJ street between 18th and 18th streets.
The architect Mr. W. Bruce Gray, has selected
the colonial style for the treatment of the
front. The material used will be buff brick
anu etone oI u ilSnt shade. The DOORWAY will
have Ionic columns and an ornamented head
Ihe frieze ,!cornice and balustrade will be quite
elaborate and characteristic Of the STYLE Tho
Panes In the upper sashes Of the windows will
be cut up In quain. forms. There will be a
rounded projection extending to the top OF the
house. The interior will be conveniently ar
ranged.
BUILDINGS FOR STREET RAILWAYS
The two principal street railways Of the CITY
and just now spending good deal of money
In buildings. This is due to the change in the
system of motive power. On the Washington
are Georgetown road and the Metropolitan
ROAD horses are to be replaced by a more mod
ern motlve power The latter road is prepar-
ing Tor the introduction of electric storage
cars and the former for the cable. A large
prick building is being erected by the Metro
Pontan Company on their property near the
street bridge. 1t will be located on the
vacant ground adjoining on the west the pres
ent stables. The new building will accommo-
date the engines and dynamos used in the
manufacture Of electricity and will also be
utilized as q car house.
, considerable progress has been made toward
the erection Of the large building on the square
opposite the National Theater. which viii he
USED as the power house for the cable system
on rennsylvanla avenue and 14th street In
aaaition to this building the Washington and
ueorgetown Company will also erect large
buildings for the storage of cars near the NAVY
1ard and on 14th street near Mount Pleasant.