Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-27
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Changes Which Are Being Made in
Two Residences.
IMPORTANCE OF TILE DINING ROOM
Some Of the Improvements in Pro
gress or in Contemplation.
N o 7 ES OF Int REST

made in the residence of Mrs Townsend
on Lafayette square adjoining the Beale
house. The principal purpose of the
changes which are being made is to give
additional space to the dining ROOM This
Will he accomplished by an addition in the
rear which will be in the form of a round
ed projection. There will be other altera-
lions made in the house which will con-
tribute materially to the comfort Of the
occupants. In the course of a year or so,
Mrs. Townsend expects to secure a COM
modious building site in some section of
the city. where she will build a spacious
and handsome residence for her own use
somewhat similar changes are being
made in the residence of Mr. and Mrs
Barney. Oh Rhode Island avenue between
10th and 18th streets. The house is already
one of the most spacious private residences
In the city, ana when the alterations are
completed 1t will have more floor space
In single suite than perhaps any other
house in the city. The house Is what is
known as an English basement. and the
entire width is unbroken in the parlor
noor. There is a small reception room and
library this floor. and back of this a
spacious picture gallery and adjoining that
a dining ROOM
Spacious Dining Room.
The plans which are now being carried
out provide FOR an addition not only to the
depth of the dining room, but the building
Of studio still further back and separ-
ated from the main building by a court
The dining room and picture gallery will
practically be one room, the line of divi-
sion being marked by an arch and marble
pillars. The entire depth of these two
rooms will be about eighty-five feet and
on social occasions this space can be util-
-fzed for dancing purposes gallery for
musicians Is to be erected over the court
and on the other side of the court will be
the studio. which, of course, will be con-
nected with the main building. The total
depth OF the house will be about 135 feet
and the interior arrangement is such that
the entire area can practically be made one
room.
1t is noticeable that in the changes that
are being made in these houses the dining
rooih as far as size is concerned, will be
the principal room. This is the feature Of
a number of large private residences that
have been erected in recent years in this
city, and it only serves to emphasize the
growing Importance of dinner giving in the
social world.
Removal of II Landmarks.
For years one of the landmarks on the
west side of 18th street, just above the
avenue, brick wall which inclosed the
vacant ground in the rear of Riggs Bank
During the past week workmen have been
engaged in removing this wall, and it is
the intention of the owners of the property,
erect on this frontage a row of one-story
buildings which will be used for business
purposes. 1t will be recalled that recently
this property fell to the Corcoran estate
In the partition which was made between
Mr.. Riggs and the Corcoran heirs
Under the terms of this division, the
title to the corner property, where the
Riggs Bank building is located was vest
ed in Mr. Riggs. and the remainder, includ-
Ing frontsges both on the avenue and on
18th street, was the share of the Corcoran
Not II ~
and alterations may he made in the bank
building. but it is thought that this struc-
lure, which Is SO closely identified with
national and local banking history. will be
In its appearance
Revival i'm building Circles.
One of the building trades unions in this
city, a day or two ego. reported that all of
its members were now regularly employed
Perhaps nothing could speak better for the
revival in building circles, except it were
possible to say that all the members of all
the trades had found steady employment |
Still the records of the building department |
Of the District government make it evident |
that there is a steady and healthy growth in |
the building world. A large number of per- |
mits to build have recently been taken OUT, "a |
considerable portion of them being for rows |
In the outlying sections of the city, which |
are evidently being put UP for speculative |
purposes.
The District government is itself one Of |
the heaviest builders just now and during
the present summer the building inspector
will have more work on his hands than has
ever been the case since the office was es-
tabl!Shed. At present work Is being done
on the smallpox hospital, the ground for
which has already been staked Oft, truck
house, an engine house, a ward at the
Washington asylum and the reconstruction
OF the heating apparatus at the girls re-
form school.
number of buildings for the of the Dis
trict will be greatly increased. bids are
to be called for shortly for a number of ad-
ditional structures. Advertisements will be
police station. Plans have been finished
for the proposed reconstruction Of the
Stevens school building. the plans are under
way for additions to the Brightwood and
Brookland schools, and plans are practical
ly completed for the Garfield school on
road.
Altogether the District has eighteen build
Ing Jobs provided for by the last appro-
pration act. and these will give steady |
employment to large number of artisans.
Architects and builders generally are |
mauifesting great deal of interest in the
work of the commission appointed by the
to carry through the pro-
posed revision of the building regulations.
The commission will doubtless receive
many suggestions and recommended ions
from men whose experience has shown
Them in the past that the regulations as
they are now on the books are defective
and Inadequate. 1t will probably be a
couple of months before the labors of the !
are finished, as it Is their in
tention to prepare a code so carefully that
It will be subjected to the minimum of
Activity in Suburban Houses.
A marked feature of the season in build
Ing matters Is the activity In suburban
houses. During the year the value of the
buildings put up in the county has ap-
preached to within 100000 of that in the
orthwest section ard Georgetown, and the
difference is growing all the time, so that
4 things keep up as they the county
VIII be up even next year One curious de-
velopment in suburban growth lately has
oeen tho tendency to build in rows, and
10 use brick as material, thus destroying
10 certain extent the variety which one
expects to find in the suburbs of !
. big city. Recently permits were taken
mt to build two rows. one Of seven and
,ne of five dwellings, to the north of
Florida avenue. If this tendency holds !
here Is a certain amount of d.sappoint- |
Rent in store for those who had hoped to !
leo the outer edge Of Washington built UP |