Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-24
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Facilities of Communication Between
Virginia and the District.
CONDITION OF THE RENTAL MARKET
Problems in Connection With the
Development of the Suburbs.
SOME IMPROv EMENTS

Those who are interested in real estate
In Virginia, or who are more broadly con-
cerned in anything which tends 10 the de-
velopment Of the city and its surroundings,
lave heard no doubt with a great deal of
interest Of the proposed completion of the
electric road from Alexandria TO the end of
the Aqueduct bridge. In connection with
this bit of information 1t is also stated
that II is contemplated to revive the road
to Arlington. and that the Aqueduct bridge
piers will be used for street railroad tracks.
If these plans are carried out and the ex-
pectations are realized, there will be es-
tabifshed between the Virginia side of the
Potomac and the Washington side a rapid
snd easy mode of communication. 1t will
be the realization of efforts which have
been made for a number of years past, and
no doubt 1t will result in as much benefit
as the projectors and advocates of i'm
proved facilities of communication between
Virginia and the District have always
maintained would follow their adoption
Virginia, as, indeed, all the territory con-
tiguous to the city. will be benefited as the
center Of population expands.
Virginia as Well us Marylnnd.
There seems to be no reason why the
overflow of population from this city
should not find its way INTO Virginia as
Well as into Maryland. Already the SUBJ
urbs of Washington extend for long dis
lance into Maryland. and also to some ex-
tent into Virginia. 1t Is believed that the
advantages of home in Virginia, as
well as of owning property there, will be
more highly appreciated by the residents
of this city when there are definite methods
of communication which are rapid and at
the same time inexpensive
To those who are not familiar with the
development of the city In recent years It
might seem to be somewhat presumptuous
TO expect such an expansion Of population
as would require room for growth in the
adjoining states, but, nevertheless, the pop
ulstion which belongs to Washington and
is dependent upon this city has already
spread itself out over large area of both
Virginia and Maryland, and it is very evi-
dent that this movement will continue In
the future.
The Rental Market.
As rule, the present month 10 rather
dull one in real estate circles. and this year
Is no exception to the general rule. How
ever. according to the statements made by
real estate brokers. the demand for houses
has begun rather early this season. and
from the proportions already reached 1t Is
predicted that the market for rented
houses Is going to be an active one.
tom, the month when houses are usually
rented Is September. but 1t seems that peo-
pie are making their preparations for the
winter earlier than usual, ard. re-
suit. there are quite a number Of houses
being rented. 1t is, however, only the be-
ginning Of the season, as it were, and any
prediction as to the activity of the market
must be based on the present Indications
1t Is not claimed by real estate dealers
or any one else that there is going to be q
great boom this fall but 1t Is the opinion
OF men of conservative judgment that the
fall season will show a volume of business
much larger than for the corresponding
period of last year, and one. in addition,
that will afford a reasonable basis of hope
that the spring season will be one Of
marked activity.
Suburban Development.
good deal Of attention is being paid by
investors and others to the problem of SUI
buIban development, and how best the de-
mands of growing population can he met
1t is recognized that a large proportion Of
the population of the city have ar ambition
to own their own homes. or at least if they
do not aspire to ownership, they wish
to secure houses for the use of their fami-
lies which will be as comfortable and as
well located as their means will permit. II
they can do better for the same amount of
money in one part Of the city than In
another, 1t Is well known that the tide of
population will soon set in that direction.
The same principle, it is believed. applies
to the suburbs and constitutes one of the
most important elements in the creation OF
suburban communities or centers of popula-
ton. The problem is much the same in all
cities. Washington. however. is exceptional
In an important and vital particular. Here
the contrast between the city and the coun.
try is not as great as in other cities, for
the resident of the nations capital enjoys
wide streets which are shaded by trees ana
interspersed with parks and adorned with
cool, fresh lawns.
City We. Country.
Here the-t is no special emphasis to be
laid on the advantage of getting away from
the close. crowded and unhealthy streets Of
the city. In other cities the people are al
most willing to pay more in order to be rid
Of such disadvantages. Here the attrac-
tions of city and country are SO evenly bal
anced that in order to persuade those who
have no inclination to live In the country
to make their homes there an appeal must
be made to their pockets.
1t must be shown that people can acquire
homes in the country at less expenditure
of cash than could procure the same ac-
coumodations in the city. There is no trou-
BILE in making such showing. but 1t IS be-
lieyed that If greater emphasis were given
to the financial feature of suburban devel-
onment the progress would be more pro-
nounced than 1t seems to be at present.
An Apartment House.
Plans are being prepared by Meyers e
Anderson, architects. for an apartment
building to be erected on 14th be-
tween Clifton and Roanoke streets: 1t Is
nroposed to have Ii eight stories in height,
with an interior court and a roof garden
The construction is to be fire-proof.