Evening star., 1896-11-14
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Some Encouraging Indications Noted
at the Building Inspectors Office.
CHANGES IN BUILDING REGULATIONS
Current Gossip About improvements
of Various Kinds.
N E w B U 1 L d l n G S

The office of the building inspector is busy
these days. 1t is something unusual, too,
for during the past few years there has
generally been a falling off as soon al No
vember came around in the dtmand for per-
mits to build. This year, however, it is diff
ferent, and the records of the office are en-
couragng. The building inspector at
tributes the marked change to the result
of the election. Before the November
struggle builders and spectators were
silent, and outside of the regular routine of
the office little was done. Money was tight,
and altogether the outlook was bad. But
now there has been change.
Every day prospective builders apply for
information concerning the regulations,
and each day shows a large increase in the
| number Of permits issued. This is espe-
cially regarding improvements and re-
pairs of houses. Before the election few
were issued, but now it is no unusual thing
for score to be issued each day. All these
things, as Building Inspector Brady says,
bear evidence of a return to prosperity
and he predicts a big winter business if
the weather remains open.
Among other matters talked over are sew
era important improvements, such as
apartment houses, hotels and office build
inss. There have been at least a dozen in
quiries concerning the erection of such
buildings but where they are to be located
or when they are to be erected remains a
secret. This fact is remarked by the in
spector as something most peculiar. But it
Is fact, nevertheless. that prospective
builders of large structures would rather
not have their plans discussed until after
the permit is taken out.
Building Regulations Amen dment.
The feature of the week, aside from the
fnnr in han ,hora af
buildings. and general improvement in
business. was an amendment of the build
ing regulations. Heretofore when an owner
desired to put boiler in building he was
required to obtain the written assent of all
property holders within ninety feet of the
building. This, it was argued by some, was
hardship, for the reason that it operated
| against the owners of large buildings who
desired to put in a boiler, and who were
required to obtain the consent thereto Of
people not the least affected.
So the Commissioners undertook to change
the regulation on this subject, and upon
the recommendation of Inspector Brady
amended the section which refers to boilers
| so as to read IN effect that hereafter when
a party desired to locate a boiler the con-
sent of the neighbors was necessary only
| from those within ninety feet from the
boiler. provided the latter was inclosed in
q brick wall This will operate especially
to the advantage of the owners of large
buildings.
The New Regulations.
Inquiries are being daily made concerning
the new building regulations. 1t will be re-
called that the committee intrusted with
the revision of the present regulations
made its report some months ago. Since
that time Commissioner Truesdell, who
has the direct charge of the office of the
building inspector, has carefully conSid-
cred the new regulations, and recommend
ed number of changes The regulations
are now in the hands of the other Commits
sioners, who will take the matter up and
finally dispose of it, after they complete
their annual report. The new regulations
can then be advertised as required by law
and put into force by the first of the new
year.
Two New Residences.
Several fine improvements have been
commenced during the week, the most no.
ticeable of which is the handsome resi-
dence of William Bruce King at the south
east corner of New Hampshire avenue and
S street. This dwelling will be built on the
colonial style of architecture, and will be
four stories. Every modern Improvement
will be placed in the building, which is to
have frontage of twenty-four feet by a
depth Of sixty-eight feet two inches.
handsome residence has just been COM
| pleted at the corner of New Jersey avenue
| and I'd and I streets northwest for Dr. S.
| S. Bond. The house is of brick, three sto-
rfeS high. The first story is built of In
| diana lime stone. The building has a
| frontage of seventy-five feet on New Jer-
sey avenue and contains sixteen rooms
DR.. Nafrn's Residence.
Plans have just been completed by F. B..
Pyle, architect. for a handsome residence
| for DR.. John w. Nairn, to be erected at
| No. 1909 Rhode Island avenue northwest.
| 1t will be Basement and three stories in
! height, and will extend through to P street.
fronting on both street and Rhode Is
land avenue. The Rhode Island avenue
| front will have bay window, extending
the entire height of building. The resi-
dence will he trimmed in oak heated by
steam and equipped with the most modern
| facilities.
Electric Road Extensions.
The extension of the Brightwood electric
roads Takoma branch to Burnt Mills. Md.
fas already been commenced, and it is un-
derstood that the Georgetown and Tenley-
town Electric railroad will be extended
from It's present terminus at Bethesda
Park to Rockville, Md, by way of Garrett
Park as soon as spring opens. The COM
pletion of the water works and electric
light system at Rockville is expected by
the first Of June at the latest.
Some improvements.
J. G. Meyers. architect, will erect for
himself three brick and stone dwellings, at
25l5, 2ol7 and 2519 14th street extended
Columbia Heights. The houses will each
be three stories in height, with basement,
and will have fronts of limestone, with
square and circular bay windows The di-
mensions of the structures will be eighteen
6y tWenty-seven feet, with back buildings
thlrty-seven by fourteeI feet.
A new frent and general alterations and
repairs will be made to the house owned
by M. r. Goddard at 31O6 NJ street north
west
The house at 226 New Jersey avenue,
owned by Mr.. F. F. Chamberlain, will
undergo minor interior repairs The en-
trance will also be remodeled and the
work will be done by James H. Nolan,
builder.
Plans have been prepared by M. Hunter
Jones, architect, for a txo-story and cellar
brick dwelling to be erected at 7O9 street
northwest, for H. H. Nichols. The dimen-
sions of the structure will be seventeen by
fifty feet and the front will be of pressed
brick and brownstone, with square bay
windows and tower and mansard roof.
The interior will be tastefully finished.
B. F. Meyers, architect, has prepared
plans for six dwellings to be erected on
Sherman avenue northwest. The houses
will not all be built on one side of the
ctr fhroo 1ofp ,;lo