Evening star., 1897-01-09
Demand for Houses as Indicated by a
Recent Transaction.
INCREASE IN BUILDING OPERATIONS
Scheme to Secure Funds to Erect
Masonic Temple.
A q U I G K P r o F I T

| During the past week the announcement
| was made of the lease of the residence on
! Sec tt circle of Gov. Morton of New York
| to a member of the next House of Repre-
| sentatives. AS is well known, this is one
| of the large private residences of the city,
| and while the amount of the annual rental
| named in the lease is not given, yet it is
safe to presume that it is one of the high
est paid in this city for house rent. 1t is
| also minated that the tenant Representa-
tive Sprague), who will occupy the house
next month, will probably decide to become
| the owner of the property.
While the number of houses of this size
which are available for rent is not large.
still it is not an unusual thing to close
such a transac ton as above referred to.
In this case, however, the deal is looked
upon as an indication of more activity in
this particular line, as it is noted that
there was more than one applicant for the
house. In fact, the agent of Gov. Morton,
Col Fleming, states that there were four
or five persons who wanted houses of this
description, and were at the same time
looking at this house. In every case eX
cept one all these persons will be connect
ed with the incoming administration. 1t
is quite probable, therefore, that not only
VIII there be a demand for houses to rent,
but also good many of the new residents
will want lots upon which to erect homes
Erection of Houses.
1t Is sometimes said by men who are sup
posed to be more or less familiar with the
condition of the real estate market here
that the city is already over built, and
that the houses now vacant must be filed
before 1t will be reasonable to suppose that
the demand exceeds the supply. 1t seems
however, that this view of the situation is
not entirely correct. For example during
the past week permit was taken out for
a rcw of fourteen houses to be built on
18th street, Kalorama and Wyoming ave-
nues. In this locality, which is generally
Known as Washington Heights, building
operations have been quite active during
the past year and as a result houses in
rows and single residences have sprung
up, and, generally speaking, they seem to
be occupied.
1t is thought by some that this movement
VIII be given further impulse when Con-
gress grants the Metropolitan railroad au-
thorlty TO extend Its tracks from the pres
ent terminus on Connecticut avenue along
Columbia road to 18th street. Some have
expressed the opinion that an era of build
Ing Will follow the extension of this rail-
road such as was witnessed on Columbia
Heights, when the cable read was built out
1ith street to Mt. Pleasant. However
whether this Is the case or not, houses are
being built in both of these localities as
well as in other sections In and about the
city. and it is reasonable to suppose that
money would not be expended in this way
unless to meet demand.
Profit on n Deal.
An interesting circumstance is related in
connection with the recent sale of what Is
now partly business property, although it
Is located in a residence section of the city,
The price paid for the property was about
$4,000. which gives some idea of it's extent,
as well its income-bearing qualities. 1t
is stated that the man who sold the prop
erty had recently acquired it, but the deed
transferring 1t TO him had not been placed
on record. His profit the transac ton
| was between $4,000 and 5000, which Is
considered to be rather neat sum to make
on such quick turn.
Proposed Masonic Temple.
1t is understood that the Grand Lodge of
Masons of the District of Columbia is Sc
| curing from the subordinate lodges an ex-
preston of opinion to the advisabiity
of creating a fund for the purchase of
site where a new Masonic Temple can be
erected. According to the estimates made
| by those who are interested in this project
| a suitable site can be obtained for from
| $4,000 to $4,000. and 1t is proposed that
| the subordinate or constituent lodges CEN
! trally located be asked to pledge them
selves to pay to the Grand Lodge a sum
| equal to 30 cents Per capita each month
! for term of three years 1t is stated that
| on the basis of a membership of over 1900
| of the lodges above designated more than
$4,000 would be raised by this method
| Large Apartment House..
| Ground will be broken next week for the
| erection of a large apartment house. to be
| located on the south side of NJ street be-
| tween 18th and 15th streets. The lot,
| which is 50x150 feet to an alley, was re-
| Gently purchased by Mr.. n. T. Haller. ar
| chtect, who has made plans for building
| which will cover the entire ground. This
| enterprise as far as the expenditure Of
\ u.hi oh 10 10 N
| the neighborhood of 100000, is one of the
| largest that has been undertaken in this
| city for some time past. The building Is
| to be five stories in height, the middle or
| namented with tower, which Will extend
| for a couple of stories above the roof.
| The front VIII be built of buff brick. with
| light store trimmings. The main entrance
| will be through the tower into a wide hall.
which will extend through the building
| and from which halls leading into the
| various apartments will OPEN There will
| be four apartments on each floor, each
| containing five rooms, including dining
| room ana kitchen. One purpose which it
| is expected will be accomplished by the
! ereC ton of this building VIII be to sup
ply a want that Is believed to exist for
| dwellings at moderate rental in good
| residence section of the city. 1t is un-
! derstood that the rental of these flats will
be about $40 per month.
| Some New Houses.
! ]. F. benson, architect, has prepared
| plans for three frame dwellings which Jas.
| T. Levy will erect for himself on Bright
| wood avenue northwest. The structures
| Will each be 16 feet front by 81 feet in
| depth, and will be two stories in height,
| with brick foundations and fronts of siding
| and shinge.
! Plans have been prepared by c. II. Glad
| den. architect, for three three-story and
| cellar brick dwellings,. The houses will be
| erected by Richard W. Wilkinson, builder,
| for himself, on l. street between 10Th and
| Goth streets northwest The structures will
! have pressed brick fronts. with square bay
windows TO the full height and dimensions
| of each one will be II feet front by 26 feet
| In depth. Each house viii be supplied with
! back building Is by 81 feet.
frame and brick dwelling will be erect
| ed by Galloway & Sons. for L. II. Bentley
| from plans prepared by H. Il. Davis, archf-
| tect, at the corner of 7th and Omaha
| streets. The house Is to be 30 feet front by
AZ feet in depth, will be two stories In
| height with cellar and attic with two bay
! windows to the full height.
A. Goenner, architect. will erect for
| Messrs. Rupert and Voight three brick
| dwellings on G. street between 9th and 7th
| The houses Will be two stories in height.
| with cellar, and will have fronts of Roman