Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-25
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Improvement Of an Entire Square in
the Northeast.
INFLUENCE OF STREET RAILROADS
Money Being Expended in Various
Sections of the City.
S M f NEW BUILDIN G S

an event that has been at all common
since the financial depression. Mr.. Charles
R. Pickford has enterprise of this sort
on foot and expects to begin active opera
tions at once. He has just completed the
purchase Of the whole of the triangular
square No. 60, which is bounded by New
York avenue, North Capitol street, o street
and list street northeast.
He intends to erect there, mainly on the
New York avenue and the North Capitol
street fronts, forty-eight houses. The ex-
penditure in the erection of the houses
alone Mr.. Pickford estimates will be about
$150OOO. He paid for the 100000 feet con-
tanned in the square about So cents per
foot. Mr.. Pickford proposes to build
houses that will sell for about 50 600 each.
OF Stone and Brick.
They are to have fronts of stone as far
up as the second stories and the balance
will be brick. There will be glass storm
doors and other features which are found
in the modern houses of the best class.
Each house will be two stories in height
and will be seventeen feet front.
Mr.. Pickford has just successfully closed
up another large building enterprise which
has resulted in the improvement of square
No. 913. which is bounded by F G, 9th and
9th streets northeast. He built ninety
houses on that square, all of which he sold,
WIN the exception OF some tndt he retain
ed as an investment.
He, therefore, has some knowledge of the
needs of the city in this regard, and on this
account his undertaking may be looked
upon as indicating that, in the opinion Of
one man who may be considered q compe-
tent judge, there is a demand in this city
for houses. Mr. Pickford, however as
serts that the demand is for homes of a
good class. He claims there are people
who want to buy houses If they can find
the right kind, and he further adds thai
the right kind are those which are well
built and provided with all the modern
facilities.
1t may be said this Improvement, or rath-
er It's particular locality, was largely deter
mined by the prospect that in the course of
the next few months the lexington rail-
road will be equipped with the underground
electric system and will be operated as a
frst-class street railroad.
Mrs. John F. Cooks House.
residence is to be built at Ills 10th
street northwest by Mrs. John F. Cook
from plans pre- pared by f. B. Pyle. archi-
tect The design of the front, which will
have pleasing and attractive appearance,
is to be worked out in Pompeiian brick and
light-colored terra Gotta. The details Of the
front will be simple, but will illustrate the
treatment known the Spanish renais-
sance. The only projection will be one
story circular bay, while at the top there
will be broad frieze in terra Gotta finish
ed with cornice of the same material
The frontage, which will be twenty-five
feet will afford an opportunity for an in
terror arrangement of rather spacious pro-
portions. The attractivencss Of the interior
Will be further enhanced by the openings
On the south side, which will be made pos-
slble by a side lot On the first floor there
will be a reception parlor, library dining
room and kitchen.
One feature of the library, which will
have a tall wainscoung oak, as well as
ceiling with exposed wooden beams, will
be a brick mantel eight and ons-half feet
wide. The entrance nall will be finished in
oak and the reception pdrlor in white and
gold. The decorations Of the walls, as well
as the finish of the dining room will be
antique green. On the second floor there
VIII be drawing room, as well as three
chambers and a bath room, while on the
third floor there will be four chambers.
Business Improvement.
3. b. Pyle, architect, has drawn plans for
the changes and alterations in the building
515 7th street northwest. occupied by Hecht
& Co. The adjoining building, No. 513, is
to be made part Of the present structure,
which will double the capacity Of the es-
tablishment occupied by this firm. The
wall between the two buildings Is to be re-
moved and the weight will be carried on
steel beams and columns. There is to be q
new front on the first floor, which is 10 in
be a recessed vestibule. A new hydraulic
elevator and steam plart and automatic
cash system will be provided. and there
Will be new Office on the second floor in
the rear. A scheme Of decoration of the
walls Will be carried out.
Lawns Abandoned by Their Owners
Now that some provision has been made
by the opening Of a home for cats, for the
proper care Of the unfortunate felines that
are rendered homeless by people leaving
the city and closing their homes, 1t seems
that some attention ought to be given
to plan for continuing the attention to
the parkngs or lawns in front Of houses
closed for the summer. In many instances
and, in fact. 1t may be said in the majority,
householders make some provision of this
character.
In this way the plots Of grass before the
houses are kept trimmed and watered dur
ing the entire season and remain q source.
Of pleasure and satisfaction to the stay-at-
homes. When this is not done and the
grass is allowed to run riot 1t makes an un-
seemly tangle in the line of well-kept lawns
that fringe our streets and materially de-
tracts from the sightliness of the city
Next to the trees of the city perhaps the
feature that attracts the greatest attention
grass plots which border the streets The
same pride which induces householders to
spend money in keeping in good condition
this portion of the public streets ought to
that in appearance at least their property
does not suffer during their absence from
the city.
1t should be remembered that the sum-
mer Is the season of the year when a large
number from all parts of the country come
to the nations capital to see it's beauties
as well as Its points of interest.
A New Hospital Building.
The large building on II street just east
of 14th street which was occupied by the
preparatory department of the Columbian
University until last year, when that Sec
ton of the university was discontinued. is
being transformed into a hospital, which is
to be conducted in connection with the
medical school Of the university, that &C.
cupies the building short distance farther
east on the same block. The plans for the
change were made by Hornblower & Mar
shall, architects, who are also preparing
the plans for the new law school building.
which is to occupy a site adjoining the uni
versity building on HI street near 18th
street.
The entire building has been stripped as
far as possible of all wood work In order
to conform to the modern idea of sanitary
conditions which should prevail in q prom
erly equipped hospital building There will
be two large public wards. one for men and