The Washington times., 1894-04-01
SMALL HOUSES In DEMAND
Real Estate Dealers Have Many In
quiries for Property Of This Sort.
SUBURBAN SITES FAVORED
Bishop Hurst Confident That Building VIII
Be Begun on the Methodist University
This Year-Tone Of the Market Generally
Improved and Confidence Increasing.

An improved leellnR III reai eSso'S Az 49,
apparent. Dealers are much more conndent
than they have been for some months, and
INQUIRIES for more desirable property are
more frequent. An Improvement IS also no
ticed in the number of transfers and In the
amount OF consideration. Mr.. J. Ii. Lane, a
prominent builder. said yesterday that one CT
the best evidences of the better feeling that
was prevailing was the fact that prices we're
holding their own in almost every part OF the
CITY. This is noticeable especially in property
in the northwest. In the extreme northeast
and southeast the prices were not keeping up
so well, but even in property inthose sections
there was renewed activity. He looks for a
very marked improvement in building within
the next sixty days. and says estimates are
being made on quite number OF costly
buildings.
There is a greater demand for small houses
than a wear ago. Most of the transfers of
late have been for houses ranging in price
from s3. 500 to 5000. Those in government
employ are purchasing these houses. as they
get them on terms but little in advance of
the rents they have been paying. Real es-
tate dealers say they have inquiries for this
class of property every day, and the demand
is increasing rapidly.
There is very decided move toward
suburban property. not only among those
of smaller means, bu. with those who are able
to erect costly residences as well. The
tendency is 10 get away from the crowd and
heat OF the city proper and where more
ground can be had. The movements now on
foot TO extend rapid transfer in every direc-
tion are having a decided influence for the
better on all classes OF suburban property.
Mr. L. D. Wine. Of b. H. Warner & Co.,
in n r.
ban property and is strong in the faith that
very marked improvement in real estate
transactions will take place in the near
future. He SAYS it has been the history OF
Washington that periods of great financial
depression have always been followed by a
rapid Improvement in real estate. The money
is in the city and must seek an outlet IN real
property. He thinks there is already ten
dency to advance prices a shade. In regard
TO suburban property, he says the improve
ment is already decided. He cites Hyatts-
vile as an example, and SAYS Washington
people are looking for homes in such places.
The frequency of trains on the railroad puts
Hyattsville almost at the very doors of Wash
ton.
The great objection TO such property in the
past has been the trouble of getting in and
out of the city, especially at night. The sub
urban roads now operated are gradually i'm
proving their systems and give promise of
future. The lexington and Soldiers Home
line is being rapidly relaid with new and
heavier rails, and promise, when the track is
completed. to give a 1ve-minute schedule.
Some of the other suburban lines are ahead
of this, and an improvement is promised in
ALL
Contracts have been made for quite num-
ber of new houses on the Conduit road and
on the line toward Chevy Chase. Bishop
Hurst confidently expects that the building OF
the new Methodist University will be begun
this year. When work on that institution is
fairly under way it will cause quite move
ment of residence building in that neighbor-
hood.
Building and loan associations, he says.
have done very much for Washington. and
made possible the erection of hundreds OF
houses that otherwise would not have been
built. The associations are all prosperous.
and as their continued prosperity depends
upon keeping u cir money loaned out, the
managers are active agents in creating a de-
mand for property.
Architect n. T. Haller is preparing to erect
seven very handsome houses on Riggs street,
between Sixteenth and Seventeenth streets.
They will have fronts of Indiana limestone
up to the second story, and the rest will be of
buff brick, making very pretty and striking
combination. The center house will be topped
with a tower, and the corner houses will
be finished with pediment and the others
will have bay windows. The houses will be
four rooms deep, and will contain eleven
rooms each, exclusive Of the large reception
halls and bathrooms. The vestibules and
bathrooms will be tiled, and the houses will
all be finished in pearl and white, with the
walls decorated TO match. All electrical i'm
provements will be Used. and when done the
block of houses will be among the hand
soonest in that section.
Architect T. F. Schneider will soon begin
the erection of very fine residence on Six
teenth street, near Q. 1t will be four stories
and a basement with n front of Indiana
stone. 1t will have a square bay window
running to the third story, and loge extend
ing across the third story front. where orna-
mented terra Gotta columns will support an
overhanging roof. On the roof will be two
octagon-shaped turrets embellished with
small balconies. The main entrance will
have covered porch with carved stone
balustrade, supported by carved stone
columns. The first floor will con-
tain the parlor, music room, dining
room, pantry and two halls. The parlor will
be finished in white and gold; the hall in oak
with an elaborate staircase; the music room
in birch, and the dining room in oak. The
music room will have triple window with
handsome colored glass. The upper stories
will contain twelve rooms, with closets and
two bathrooms.
Builders are confident the efforts OF the
Board of T-ade TO secure an appropriation
from Congress for the erection of a new Dis
trict building will be crowned with success.
The site VIII be Market space.