Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-10
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Effect Of Secretary Alger's Decision
About Projections Of Buildings.
PROSPECTIVE OPERATIONS RETARDED
A Proposed New Hotel in FASH
ionab|e Section Of Washington.
OTHER NOTES OF INTEREST


The decision Of Secretary of War Alger
that all plans of proposed buildings to be
erected in Washington which contain con-
templated projections beyond the actual
building line on the streets or public park
ing should be sent to the War Department
and be submitted to the officer in charge Of
public buildings and grounds for personal
investigation and report promises to have
deterrent effect of serious proportions
upon immediate and future building oper-
atoms in the District. All requests for
permits to build or repair houses which
embrace bay windows, front steps or other
projections beyond the building line are
passed upon by the building inspector I'M
der the regulations which have been in
force here for several years, but the papers
are sent to the District Commissioners for
transmission to the War Department be-
fore actual building operations are per-
m1tted. Since June IA last no return has
been made from the War Department on
any OF these papers. 1t has been formerly
the custom of the building inspector when
permits to build were asked for to issue q
permit to excavate the foundations for
such buildings in order to facilitate the
work and thus allow building to begin at
once when the permit for the erection Of
the structure was issued. Now, however,
Mr.. Brady Is issuing permits for excaya.
tions to the building line only and not for
any projections extending beyond It, This
course Is being followed because Mr. Brady
Goes not wish to do anything that might
agsraVate conditions that are liable to arise
from the action of the Secretary of War.
Builders and real estate men generally are
bitter In their criticisms of what thew de-
clare Is the arbitrary and uncalled-for ac-
ton OF the Secretary of War. and 1t Is not
hn ,r~fo with
upon to hear a test case in order to decide
whether or not the present building reeu-
iations are legal or otherwise. This con-
oltlon mas caused delay on the part Of
prospective builders in carrying out their
intentions. and this will be the case until
some definite conclusion Is reached regard
ing the relations of the local and the
United states government upon the SUBJ
ject.
Proposed New Hotel.
permit was asked for during the pres
ent week to erect & modern hotel on the
corner Of 18th and l streets northwest.
where the old residence Of the Ray family,
latterly oct upied by the University Club.
stands. The plans called for a structure
absolutely fire proof throughout, without a
single pound or foot Of combustible ma
teriai In Its construction. The height OF
12' feet. and owing to the fact that street,
upon which 1t was to front, is but so feet
wide. the regulations governing the height
OF buildings did not allow the granting OF
the permit. The District Commissioners.
however. are said to be considering the
matter. and owing to the proposed char
acter OF the construction and the fact that
the side Of 1t will front on Farragut square
ana that there are no buildings in the i'm
mediate rear 1t Is felt that the Importance
OF such an improvement may influence
favorable final action on the permit 1t is
understood tnat wealthy and powerful
fS hoh ind he
If the hotel Is erected It will be second to
none In this country in any respect.
Good Price for F Street Property.
The sale of the ground and building No.
1924 F street northwest by Mr.. Heiskel OF
the firm Of Heiskell & McLeran to Mr.. w.
]. Kehoe last week indicates that WELL
situated business property is holding its
own in point Of value. Mr.. kehoe paid
$4,000 for the property, subject to a trust
of $4,000 and the lease of A. GUIDE & Bro.
the florists. who occupy the building, and
which has nine years to run. The lot.
which is twenty by eighty feet in dimen-
sions. is improved by brick building, four
stories and attic in height, which cost $l1
600 to erect few years ago. This leaves
$4,000 for the land, and as 1t embraces
LOCO square feet it will be seen that the
price paid was about $24.37 per square foot
1t is understood that under the terms of
| their lease A. GUIDE & Bro. pay 5000 per
diuuHh anu lHe taxes On the property, 80
Mr.. Kehoe's investment appears to be q
good one.
Talk With Mr.. Brady.
Building Inspector Brady talked in an
| entertaining manner with The Star re-
porter Thursday.
YES" he said in response to q sugges-
| ton Of his visitor. 1.-THE building operations
| this year have been far beyond the expec-
| tations Of the spring. There has been a
very substantial lot of improvements going
on. and there are prospects of some i'm
provements of a very important character
\ In the near future. The Office Is crowded
! every day. as you have doubtless observed
! on your visits here, and the inquiries being
propounded indicate very healthy OUT
lcok. The dwellings that are being built
are nearly all equipped with the modern
| appliances of comfort and convenience.
| The plumbing and sanitary arrangements
are first class even In houses Of moderate
| cost Cabinet mantels, tiled vestibules and
| bath rooms, electric gas lighting fixtures
| and wiring for the introd uction of electrici-
1 ty are found to be the rule throughout"
What effect will the erection Of such
| houses have upon the old houses which
| have none of these faciAties?" asked the
| reporter.
"Just the same AZ the case has been in
other cities" he replied. '"The occupants
Of the old houses viii move into the more