Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-12
POINTS IN REALTY.
The Market For High Class Houses
Comparatively Slow.
SMALL ONES IN BRISK DEMAND.
One of the Most Backward Sections in The
City Shows Signs of of Revival.
NOVEL OBJECTION TO SKYSCRAPERS

The fact of a scarcity of buildings in
Pittsburg has been frequently referred to in
this column. That this is so can be easily
demonstrated by inquiry at the real estate
offices or by personal Investigation through
out the city. A little explanation here
may be serviceable to many. Houses are
intended to meet the wants of all classes of
the community. The large majority of
buyers are of limited means. They want
cheap and medium-priced houses, costing
from $1,000 to $1,000. The demand for
these for several years has been greater
than the supply. Hence there is an active
market for properties of this description.
On the other hand, people of abundant
means. as rule, build for themselves. The
market for high class houses is, therefore,
more restricted than that for the cheaper
kind and the demand is more easily salts
fed. From this it will be seen that while
the one may be scarce the other may be in
over supply. This is about the situation in
Pittsburg at present. While owners of low
priced houses have little trouble to sell or
rent the market for more pretentious
structures is rather slow. Owners and
builders would do well to bear this distinc-
t1on in mind in their future operations.
Skyscraping Buildings.
The inclination of the modern business
house is upward. This is due almost en-
tirely to the enhancement of land values,
making it cheaper to build in the air than
on the ground. Although Pittsburg has no
skyscrapers she is making fair progress in
that direction, as several buildings COM
pleted within the past year or two show.
During the discussion which has naturally
arisen in regard to high structures some
building experts as to the sanitary condi-
tion OF streets lined with tall houses. Sky
scrapers are condemned not alone on sani-
tary grounds but on the score of public
policy as well. 1t is claimed that they tend
to centralize business and destroy the value
of outside business streets which should eX-
tend like radial arteries throughout the city:
They are defended, however, on the score of
economy and as affording the best means of
ameliorating office life in congested dis
tricts. Whether Pittsburg will ever possess
a 20 or 40-story building is further along:
but if it shall be demonstrated that they are
necessity the way for them will be clear.
If 1t can be shown that they are as safe as
other 1 buildings, a strong point in their
now in progress in other cities will no doubt
settle this mooted question one way or
another.
A London Idea.
An influential committee has lately been
formed in London, England to carry into
effect plan which has for some time past
been under consideration for providing suit
able accommodations for young men, clerks
and others, living in the metropolis on linn
tied incomes. 1t Is proposed to erect Sc
ries of buildings, well situated and easily
accessible to the city, and a site for the first
series has been secured Professionally. The
building is planned to provide accommoda-
tion for 4SS tenants, each having a sitting
room with bed alcove, at a rental ranging
ncl,s b;II
is intended that tenants shall have the use
of common reception and dining rooms, and
of library, reading, writing, lecture, Smok-
ing, billiard and recreation rooms. Plans
have been submitted of u handsome build
ing, and 1t estimated that on q capital of
f100000 the investment would yield 5 per
cent interest
Coming to the Front.
That part of the Eighteenth ward contigu-
Gus to Morningside avenue is showing more
activity than for a long time. Baxter,
Thompson & Co. report sales of quite mum.
Der of lots in this locality within the past
few days, the majority of the purchasers be-
ing a thrifty class of Germans, who will
build. great many small houses are going
up. This ward has long been back num-
Der, but the construction of the Sharpsburg
branch of the Citizens Traction Railway
has given 1t an impulse which is rapidly
bringing it to the front.
Business News and Gossip.
The Swift farm, now that it is to be
plotted, will probably be annexed to the
borough of Knoxville.
j. A. Hardy has begun the erection of
three brick two-story dwellings on Perry
street, Eleventh ward to cost SO 9OO L. A.
School is building two brick dwellings and
stores on Wylie avenue, Thirteenth ward, at
q cost of 81 600.
There is less building going on in the out
skirts than last year. but the houses are of a
better class. When put on the market they
find ready buyers.
Pittsburg and Braddock will be connected
by an electric railway within the next two
two years. Two routes are now under con-
sideration, both backed by abundant capi-
tai.
1t was stated in this column three months
ago that part of the Speer property in the
Fourteenth ward had been purchased as q
site for a public schoolhouse. AS nothing
has been done toward the building, the peo-
pie in that district would like to know the
cause of the delay.
The Ogdensburg Transportation Company
has reduced lake and rail rates on business
going beyond Chicago and Milwaukee two
cents, first class, with reductions ON other
classes. East bound lake and rail rates will
be advanced August 90
near the Forks of the Road to the st. John
Catholic Church people, has been an
nounced. 1t was learned yesterday that
they will build not only a church on this
property, but also a conventand parochial
school.
Passengers carried by the Fort Pitt Incline
the past year were 2s4 s29. The total re-
ceipts were 1l2.
The annual election of directors of the
West End Savings Bank was held yesterday
afternoon, and the old board was reelected
The Reading Terminal Company yester-
day concluded negotiations whereby it Sc
cures possession OF the Farmers and Twelfth
street markets, Philadelphia as site for its
new passenger station, for 81. 100000.
A SS5, 900 Turner Hall will be quite an ad-
dition to the architectural attractions of the
Soutllside.
Movements in Realty,
G. B. Hart sold for Jacob Ferree to Miss
Ida V. Hahn, two lots 50xl5O each, on cor
ner of State avenue and Ferree street, Cora
opolis, for ZOO cash.
Reed B. Coyle & Co. sold lots Nos liz and
1l3 in their Glenmawr Park Plan, at HAYS
vile, Pittsburg, FIT. Wayne and Chicago
Railway, each 30xllO feet, situated on Merwyn
avenue for $3.50.
NJ. +. Nipple & Co. sold to DR.. George Park
lot numbered lis, in block 8, Kensington
plan, for 1855.
A. 2. Byers & Co. sold for the Ridgeview
Land Company, to Frederick Weist, lot No.
100, in their plan, on the line of the California
avenue electric road, for $500.
]. E. GLASS sold new eight-roomed frame
dwelling, with all modern conveniences,
with lot 30xl0O. on the north side of Parker
street, and convenient to Ellsworth avenue
and Roup station, for 81 800.
The Building Record.
Permits for the following improvements
were issued yesterday:
Mrs. J. p. Kaufman, brick two-story dwelling.
corner Negley and Margaretta streets, Nineteenth
ward. Cost, 100. Southside Turnvercin, brick
three-story public hall, Thirteenth street. Twenty
eighth ward. Cost, s35. US. Leo Sell frame two