Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-02
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
The Policy Of Erecting Large Houses
on Small Lots.
VICINITY OF TIE LETTER RESIDENCE
Buildings Being Erected for Resi-
dence and Business Purposes.
P R Il ES FOR LOTSI

The rumors and talk about a war be-
tween this country and Spain have had an
effect on the real estate market as the
dealers complain, Of practically putting all
end for the time to various pending trans
actions 1t is said that men who have con-
templated investing money either as an in
vestment or for homes for themselves
hesitate about dong 80, claiming that The
probability of war makes the financial sit
uation uncertain, and, therefore. in their
opinion, 1t is a matter Of prudence that
they should wait and see how the present
issue is going to develop before binding
themselves to the expenditure of any large
sum of money.
Up to the time the attention of the pub
lie became absorbed in the relations be-
tween Spain and the United States it Is
claimed by real estate brokers that the
prospects for a good business season were
more encouraging than they have been for
some time past. 1t is believed good deal
Of money would have been invested here
in one way and another and there would
have been q marked revival in the real
estate business.
There were several large transactions
pending, as well as a number of small
ones and altogether, it is said, the volume
of business was assuming favorable pro-
portions when the war scare practically
put an end to it all. 1t is believed. how
ever, when this source of uncertainty is
removed there will be considerable activ-
tty in real estate. while, of course, 1t is
not claimed that there will be anything
that might be called q boom, still dealers
are confident that conditions will be ma
terially improved, especially in comparison
with those that have existed for some time
past.
Near the Letter House.
1t was announced during the week that
a building lot had been purchased on New
Hampshire avenue between Dupont Circle
end Q str et and that the new owner, Mrs.
Postlethwaith proposed to erect a hand
some residence there. The lot is the only
vacant ground between the properties own
ed by Mr.. Whittenlore and Mr.. Letter, and
on account of the lawn space which sur
round these residences. as well as the
genera! locality, it is considered that the
site is an especially choice one.
1t is also thought the price paid was not
high, as it averaged Only little more
years ago Mr.. Letter paid for the lot I'D
joining on the south $3.50 per square foot.
1t is understood Mr.. Letter intends to re-
move the wall which is to the north OF
his house and erect on the lawn on that
side q conservatory.
AS that structure will come to the line
OF the property It Is understood to be Mrs.
ToStletHWdltHS intention 10 place the south
wall of her house on the dividing line, but
not make a party wall of it, but there will
be no openings on that ride.
On the other side, however, the house
Will recede from the northern line, and
there will be windows which will overlook
the space which will be reserved, as well
as the adjoining lawn of Mr.. Whittemore's
house. 1t Is understood the house which
Mrs. Postlethwaith will erect will be of
the Italian style OF architecture, and will
form handsome addition to the residences
in that locality. Mrs. Postlethwaith is
well known in army circles. her husband
having for g number of years held the post
of chaplain at West Point
Effected by Street Railroads.
1t is believed by some Of the property
owners in the section Of the city south of
Pennsylvania avenue and west of 18th
street that the completion of the proposed
loop of the Capital Traction road through
IL at section from 18th street to 25th street
will result in increasing the demand for
property as well as in stimulating improve
ments.
1t is maintained that one reason why
property in that vicinity has not been as
attractive some in other sections is
because of the lack Of proper street rail-
road facilities, and that as soon as this
need is supplied 1t Is thought its other at
fractions as place of residence will be
recognized, and there will be a good de-
rls nd for building sites as well as for
houses.
Some are Of the opinion that the compile
ton of this railroad line will have much
the same effect as that which followed the
bringing Of rapid-transit system through
Columbia Heights to Mount Pleasant. 1t is
claimed, as the Capital Traction Company
Georgetown line from the Navy Yard
through this section TO Georgetown and
return, that the residents will have all the
advantages of living on or near the main
nod Of ne no Il
AS there is good deal Of unoccupied land
in that vicinity, this prediction, II carried
out, would result in good deal of build
ing activity.
Yards for Houses.
The tendency toward building large
houses on small lots, which is observed in
the case of several of the recent expensive
private residences in this city, Is believed
by those who have given attention to the
subject to be peculiarly unfortunate. It is
said that the deep houses, especially those
on inside lots. which occupy practically
the entire building space, are not only an
injury to adjoining property. depriving the
I.eighboring houses Of light and air, but
create bad sanitary conditions for those
who occupy them.
1t Is believed there should be ample space
reserved in the rear Of houses, and the
District authorities have so far recognized
the importance of back yards to public
health as to require certain area to be
reserved in the rear Of all houses. II back
yards are considered a sanitary necessity
for the average house, the question arises
how ought 1t to be regarded when people
are spending large sums Of money in order
to supply themselves with an elegant and
spacious home.
1t is believed that the true policy for
those to adopt who wish large houses is
to buy a sufficient amount OF land upon
which to locate such house. AS land is
more or less expensive, this suggestion is
not In the line exactly Of saving money to
the prospective house builders, but It is
claimed for 1t that 1t would certainly re-
suit in greater comfort to the occupants
of the house ITSELF as well as to the neigh
bors. 1t Is also believed that the addi-
tional outlay for a large lot would be
amply made up by the increased value OF
the property. as it is argued that q house
having plenty Of sunshine and air Is more
desirable and attractive In every way than