The herald., 1895-09-12
REAL ESTATE and BUILDING
New Buildings Commenced Dur
ing the Past Week
HOME-BUILDERS AT WORK
Sales Of Lots and New Buildings ia
Contemplation
osief Reference to Some Fashionable Resi-
dences Now Under Construction on
Desirable Sites
HOME-BUILDERS AT WORK

During the week ended yesterday per-
mits were issued from the Office of the
superintendent of buildings to the num-
Der of rs, the aggregate estimated cost
of the new buildings being Sl20, 275.
While this is not a record breaking week,
either in number of buildings commenced
OF in the amount of money invested in
improvements, it is a very satisfactory
showing. particularly rs Admission day
was observed in the city at least to the
extent OF closing the office of the super
intendent of buildings. The daily aver
age of new buildings is little more than
fifteen, and that number in any other
city of the union of the size of Los An
geles, would be regarded as phenomenal
growth. 1t is very satisfactory to note,
too, that even in what now seem to be
weeks of dullness as impaired with the
records set of late, tine number of new
buildings started still greatly exceeds that
recorded a few years or a few months
ago.
A little more than two years ago it was
considered that five and haif houses per
s,sv res IS. statement of the growth of
Los Angeles; year later the number
to twelve. At present, remembering
that for some months the number has
not fallen below fftsen, it is perfectly
safe to assume that the building rate is
fully fifteen new houses per day, for this
rate has been maintained SO long, and
so often exceeded. that it may fairly be
regarded as something more than sud-
den outburst of building activity and
reasonably certain to continue.
This seems the more certain when the
character of the buildings constructed is
taken into consideration. During the
week past Mrs. Hollenbeck took out
permit for the construction of home for
aged people, the building to cost $50, 900;
but aside from this the list does not con-
tain the record of permit for a single
large building. 1.-THE week was distinctly
a home builders week, anu most of the
MONIES for which permits were issued are
comparatively modest ones. yet not of
the character demanded by the immi-
grant who comes without money and
must have immediate employment in
order to live. 1t is true beyond question
that the building operations throughout
the city, or that potrtlOn EN- braced in
dwelling houses, are largely carried on by
new corners, and the class OF buildings
they are constructing indicates that they
are people of sufficient means to live
comfortably while they take the measure
of the new community and deliberately
settle upon the business they desire to
pursue.
1t has always been the belief of The
Herald that the city's growth was and is
healthy and orrtal, and that the danger
of overbuilding was ar imaginary one.
The Daily journal, in its review OF build
ing operations. echoes the opinion and
expresses its belief that the best test of
Los Angeles great prosperity is undoubt-
eddy in the building record. People who
predicted months ago that building was
being overdone nave watched with aston
ishment, il not with apprehension, the
steady increase in the number of new
buildings contracted for as the summer
waxed and waped. Even those sanguine
people who barter in lands and lots can
not explain why the city grows so rapid
ly. But the demand for houses is not
abating. 1t did not abate even when the
trdnsients of last winter spread their
wings in the spring and migrated back
to other states; nor when the summer
exodus to beach and mountains occurred.
And now the tide of house-hunters beats
at the thresholds of all the renting
agencies in town. OF the newcomers
many are people of modest means, as is
evidenced by the demand for five and six
loom cottages at rental OF from $50 to
$50. The demand for such houses cannot
be met. There Is a considerable inquiry
also for houses at $40 to $50 per month.
Generally such people want some yard
room and stable accomIho dations and
houses that suit are not plentiful.
Concerning the outlook for the winter,
the universal opinion is that it is very
favorable; that 1t will be, IN fact, the best
season for business that we have expert
enced since the boom.
The reasons for this opinion are perfect
ly evident to everybody who mas given
the subject any consideration. Every
thing points to larger winter travel than
has been known for years The circum-
stances that make the possibility of winter
travel more general, viz, the better times
in the east. and the detection OF large
part of the Florida travel to the coast.
makes.the prospect for greater invest
ment OF money here brighter. Many
who have been preparing for years to
transplant their metaphorical vine and fig
tree to the more genial soil of California
Will find an opportunity in the easier
financial conditions now becoming
prevalent all over the country, to dispose
OF property or business that has hereto
fore been difficult to realize on, and thew
will come here ready to settle down un-
der new conditions as soun as the ideal
location presents itself.