Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-11
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Progress Of Improvements in the
Eastern Section.
NEEDS OF A GROWING POPULATION
Proposed New Building Regulations
Now Before the Commissioners.
S ON E n EW B UILDIN G S

The erection of building having a 'front.'
age of over 400 fe.t and covering some
three acres of ground is matter of some
consequence, and for that reason a great
deal of public attention has been directed
toward the new car house which is being
erected by the Metropolitan Railroad Com
pany en- square 1867, East Capitol street;
This building is of the dimensions above
mentioned, and its location in that section
affords another Illustration of the growth
of the city. The new site is two squares
east Of Lincoln Park. and is in the section
which within recent date has been practi-
oally neglected common
improvements, however, have steadily
advanced, especially during the past few
years, until now what was then the fur
II est outpost of habitations has long since
been passed. The new building erected by
the railroad is on East Capitol street be
tween 14th and 18th streets, and between
mat point and the Eastern branch, on a n
rect line, there are not many houses. In
fact. good many of the streets have not as
yet been opened, but it is evident the time
is not far distant when all this locality will
be built with city houses.
The Proposed Park.
1t Is expected that before a great while
the proposed Eastern branch Improvement
will be made, and a beautiful park will
greet the eye instead of the stretches of
lowland which now border the branch.
The extreme northeastern and southeast
ern sections are increasing rapidly in pop
ulat!on, and now there are quite large
number of residents both within and out
side the limits Of the city. The need of the
suburban. population of Anacostia on the
one hand and of the northeastern suburbs
en- the other for quick and easy communi-
cation with the business center of the CITY
is shown by the earnestness with which some
Improvement in the present MANAGEMENT
OF the Anacostia railroad is urged and also
by the bill providing for the extension Ct
the Columbia railroad eastward
About Fireproof Roofs.
The incongruity of an inflammable
wooden roof surmounting building of
nraproof construction, as illustrated in the
new building for the city post office, has
been the subject of a good deal of COM
ment III building circles. In talking about
the matter an architect said that of course
no building had been erected by private
means in this city which presented such an
anomaly. Years ago, when material avail
able Tor such purpose was not found in
such variety as is the case today, such
eceentricity in construction might, it is
thought, have been more excusable. When
Gov. Shepherd erected the fireproof build
ing at the northeast corner of Pennsylya-
mia avenue and 18th street, now known as
the Raleigh, the slate covering of the roof
was fastened on the iron Orders. This
work was done twenty years ago, and re-
Gently, when the building was recon
structed, it was found that there was moth
ing in the roof of an infammable character.
Fireproof roofs are now constructed more
cheaply, and there is quite a variety of
material which is available for such pur-
poses.
New Building Regulations.
1t is probable by the beginning of the fiscal
of build lot will
be in operation. The commission appointed
by the Commissioners some eight months
ago to revise the regulations has completed
its work. and printers proofs have been fur
nished to the Commissioners. Upon the ap-
prevail of these officials the new regulations
will have the force of law. The principal
features Of the proposed regulations have
been mentioned from time to time in The
Star. 1t is believed by members of the COM
mission that many valuable changes have
been made. which will result in protecting
the public interests in the future erection of
buildings
Some New Buildings.
A row of seven brck-and-sto residences
will be erected on Columbia Heights, plans
for which have been prepared by N. T.
Halter. architect. They will be three stories
in height, with cellar, and fronts Of buff
brick and light stone and round bay. win
dows. The interior finishing will be in
hard wood, with all the modern conven-
fences.
Another row of three dwellings in Co.
lumbia Heights Is to be erected from plans
prepared by Benjamin Judson, architect
These also will be three stories in height
with cellar, fronts Of Pompeiian brick,
square bay windows and tiled mansard
roofs Furnace heating and electric light
Ing will be provided.
A three-story and cellar store and apart
ment house is to be erected near 9th street
southeast on Pennsylvania avenue 1t will
be 23x47 feet, with pressed brick front, large
show windows and octagonal oriel