Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-23
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP.
Houses and Lots Don't Seem to Fit
in Christmas Stockings
BRINGING THE PARKS NEARER THE CITY
Building Houses in Blocks and on
Small Lots.
A HANDSOME RESID ENCE

A HANDSOME RESID ENCE
The average Christmas stocking Ii not
large enough to contain a house or q lot
or both. Perhaps this Is the reason that
presents of this character are not generally
used to express the good will of the season.
Real estate dealers do not find that the
tide Of the holiday business finds its way
into their Offices The fashion Of Christmas
giving does not take that FORM 1t Is true
that stockings might be enlarged to meet
the emergency If it arose, but such pres
ents seem to be reserved for the times
when the marriage bells sound, and even
then 1t is only too seldom that. they take
the desirable form of real estate There
is no question about the Appropriateness of
such a gift. at least 1t is not probable that
there would be very many who would OBJ
Ject very strenuously If the spirit Of the
season should bring to them a house or
lot or even a farm.
By the present system under which for
the time being real estate Is neglected and
spare money is invested in other direc-
lions real estate agents are given leisure
to attend to their Christmas buying They
could get along with less time. but each
year about this period business gets slack
holidays. This year the dull times began
somewhat in anticipation of the holiday
season as the result of the condition Of the
money market. 1t is hoped that there will
be the usual resumption of business later
on. 1t Is not expected that there will be
any unusual business development during
the coming season, but there are sound
reasons for the belief that there will be a
revival after the long vacation of the
10 M
scarcity of money. property can be secured
| on reasonable terms and there is no doubt
that there will be a market for houses and
for business places. Such a market exists
| the growth of the city is going practically
to stop the demand will be continued in
the future.
Park Nearer the City.
During the past week the Senate passed
without amendment the House bill provid-
1 ing for the opening and the extension of
North Capitol street. With the exception
Of the provision which under a mistaken
idea Of the street extension law makes the
entire cost a charge on the District rev.
enues alone the bill Is likely to be Of a
great practical service, not only to that
section, but to the entire city. 1t opens
up thoroughfare directly to the Soldiers
Home and makes it possible for a railroad
to run directly TO the border Of this great
park. The charter of the lexington road
eonfers the authority Ito lay tracks along
that street and for portion Of the way the
tracks are now down. 1t will be possible
for the company to build the road also the
entire length of the street, thus connecting
the Soldiers Home with the Capitol. With
the exception of the branch OF the Bright
wood railroad, which has just been con-
structed, there is no railway connecting
the city with the park.
Another splendid park has been secured
by the acquisition of the land along the bor-
ders of Rock creek. However the people of
the city are Only now being supplied with
Facilities for reaching, at small outlay of
money, the grounds which, up to a short
time ago. constituted the only park open
to the public. 1t is probable that such a
road would not have paid several years
ago. In fact. during the past year or two
practically all the railroads connecting the
city with its suburbs have been built. and
as this movement is almost simultaneous
with the great increase in the suburban
population, 1t may be concluded that the
projectors of suburban railroads do not
look with much favor on schemes for roads
that may begin in the city, but which prac.
ticelly end nowhere A local population
seems to be, as a rule. essential for a street
railroad.
Variety I'm buildings.
The variety of designs in buildings to
be seen in this city. especially in domestic
architecture. seems to be source of con
slant surprise to people who visit here
AS compared with most of the cities of thi.
country, there is no question but that there
is none of the monotony which comes from
blocks of buildings along street after street
each house differing from its neighbor nc
: more than one dry goods box differs f. on
, another. This distinction is attributed
, largely to the fact that here the indivdua
, builds his own house. that Is. he select:
the architect, approves the design ant
makes contract for the construction and
foots the bills. OF course the connection o.
: some owners With the building of tkeil
house is much more intimate then this mere
schedule of duties would in iicate. 1t II
not uncommon to hear people say the,
designed their houses, adding that, o.
, course, they had an architect, nut most o
! the details they worked out themselves
The architect might not agree with them
, but the remark indicates that at any rat'
! they followed closely the progress OF tn,
! building. In the majority of cases, how
ever, houses, when built as separate struc
lures, would naturally differ In lesign
even If 1t was not human nature for ever,
man wants to have his house differ INT from
that of his neighbor, and IL his pocket bcol
permits to arrange that his house fa
outshines the adjoining house, or, in fact
any house in the locality.
= Houses in blocks.
8 1t is a matter many regret that the sys
y tenn of building in blocks Is growing in thi
city. 1t is true that the blocks are not a
z monotonous in appearance az they m.Eht be
1
s which comes from the special thought an,
attention which is given to them whel
= they are put up for some special person
. home The increase IN the wholesale sys
r tenn of building houses is due, no doubt
!. largely to the cost Of building sites. 1t 1
n also noticeable as probably arising from tn
: same cause that back yards are no longe
considered necessary Corner lots are bull
a upon in such a way that nearly every foo
of ground is utilized and there is not nue.
: space left for the accommodation of tn
: family wash. The roof is sometimes use
s for this purpose, but nowadays tother ar
= rangements are made about the linen Q
r the family and it happens that 1t is no
I done at home, although it Is probable tina
the same privacy is observed that part
organs seem to consider essential in re
gard TO the washing of the party linen.
Col. CoItOn's Residence.
q pleasing example of the combination @
light colored stone and buff brick in max
= ing an effective front is in the res
!, dence which Col. Francis Cotton has jus
completed at 1875 Connecticut avenue. TIL
. blending of soft colors together with tn
. overhanging roof, covered with tile suggest
a type that is found in southern countrle.