Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-01
The Years Building Statistics and
What They Show.
FAVORABLE INCREASE SINCE JUNE
The Pressing Need Of a More
Thorough inspection System.
S ONE IN P ROW MEN T s

Those who are accustomed to depend upon
the figures contained In the annual report
of the inspector of buildings for their esti-
mate of the prosperity of the city did not
find the report just issued especially en-
couraging. The number of buildings erected
during the year, as given in the report, as
we'll as their aggregate cost, shows quite a
falling off compared with the same fig
ures OF last year. A further comparison
shows that there was less money spent in
the erection of new buildings and fewer
new buildings erected last year than in any
year during the past decade. While, of
course, this falling off in the building oper-
ations is due largely to the general finan-
cial depression which has been felt through
out the country, yet 1T should be remem-
bered that during the two preceding years
more money was spent and more build
ings erected than in any previous years
in the history of the city. In the opinion
or men whose judgment Is good, the eX-
tenSiVe building operations of those two
years had resulted in what Is known as
'overbuilding the city" 1t is probable that
even if the financial conditions had not
been unfavorable there would have been
quite decrease of building last year as
compared with preceding years.
However, such statistics constitute but
che item in the enumeration of the causes
which contribute to the prosperity of the
city. 1t does not necessarily follow that
because there were but few buildings COM
paratively erected in this city last year the
record of the year should be characterized
as unfaYorable to the business interests.
The fact is that in spite of lack of an ac-
active interest on the part of the public
toward investments Of all kinds the stu
alton of the real estate market here has
been extremely favorable There has been
no slump or panic and values have re-
manned firm. While there has been practi-
cally no demand for property, yet own
ers have not been forced on the market,
and the result is that Washington real
estate has passed through the storm and
stress period of the last year without inn
pairment of value or the loss of confidence
on the part of investors.
Increase In Building.
The tide has turned and during the fall
months a marked Improvement has been
experienced and the progress toward the
restoration of n reasonably active mar
ket is regarded as encouraging. There
was one paragraph in the report of the
building inspector which SubStantiate
this statement. He said that he could ad-
vance the Information that the records of
the office show that since July last there
had been decided increase IN building
over the corresponding period of 1893.
More Inspectors Needed.
In some cities there is a demand for a
more general adoption of fire-proof meth
DDS in the construction of private resi-
dences than is the case at present. This Is
largely due to the destruCtiven of fires
when once started in the residence portion
CT the average city. 1t Is then found
that the walls are thinner than good
judgment would commend. and that there
has been great care!esSneSS not to use a
stronger term, in the selection of material
used. Buildings of this character are
erected because in the first instance, money
is saved but of course in the end, when
the wear and tear of years is taken into
account, or the visitation of fire. il proves
the more costly. Nhile in this city
flilnsy and cheap construction is prevalent
to some extent, yet II is believed, as COM
pared with the total amount of building
the percentage is quite small, noticeably so
in comparison with other cities.
The more stringent building regulations
which are in force -here have a good deal
to do with improving the general char
acter of construction. 1t Is believed that
the only reason, or rather the main rea-
son, why the standard at the nations cap
ital Is not so high as the regulations pro-
vide is the lack of sufficient corps of as
sistants to the building inspector. The
board of trade has taken this matter up
and no doubt, with the aid Of this repre-
sentative body Congress will be induced to
take some action.
Some improvements.
s. NJ Burgess is to erect a residence at
1870 18th street, from plans prepared by
Pitney IL Bradford, architects. 1t will be
three stories in height. The front. TWEEN
ty feet in width. will be built of press
brick and Indiana lime stone. John Nc
Gregor is the builder.
Four houses will be erected by DR.. w.
p. G. Hazen on 9Th street between A and
streets northeast. They will have bay
fronts OF press brick and brownstone.
r. w. Walker & Son have had plans pre-
pared by f. Ii. Pyle, architect, for three
houses at the corner of Sth and A streets
northeast. They will have two stories and
easements, with square and circular bays
and press brick and Indiana stone fronts
Miss Mary Wilcox Will build house on
Corcoran street between nth and 18th
streets from plans prepared by Glenn
Brown, architect. 1t is to be three stories
in height, with a front of Roman brick
trimmed with Seneca stone. There is to be
a bay, finished at the third story with a
loggia.
Two three-story houses are to be erected
by \. Behrend on 10th street between +
and F streets. from plans prepared by Paul
SchulZe, architect. The fronts will be of
buff brick and blue stone.
Plans are being prepared by r. Stanley
Simmons for an apartment house TO be
erected on 18th street south Of New York
avenue. 1t is to be eight stories in height,
41x97 feet
The plans for the apartment house to be
erected at the northeast corner of eth and
G streets by Judge Lowery have been re-
The building will be seven stories high,
instead Of eight, as originally cOntem-
plated.
r. A. Harding is building for himself
three brick dwellings at 1906 1JOS and 1910
Kenesaw avenue northwest. They will be
three stories high 16.Sx52 feet and heated
throughout by furnaces. c. l.. Harding is
the architect.
John Becker has commenced the erection
of q bakery in the rear of $50 18th street
northeast. 1t will be 29X15 feet and built
CT brick by Theodore Harheck.
Charles Sickels will shortly commence
the erection for himself of a frame dwell
ing on Frankfort street between 18th and
18th streets. 1t will be two stories high.
17x40 feet.
Moses A. Stevens has planned the erection
of frame dwelling at Hillsdale, near Nor
ris road. 1t will be two stories high, 15x2S
feet and heated throughout by furnace.
James Pinn is the builder.
John w. Collins is building two frame
dwellings, on Broad Branch road. They
will be two stories In height iix2S feet.
John Hurdle is the builder.
Francis Miller has been granted permit
by the inspector Of buildings for the cree
ton Of a warehouse on e street between
18th and 10Th streets northwest. 1t will be
one story high. 3lxG0 feet and built OF
brick by Samuel II. Edmonston, who is
also the architect.
Building Record.