Evening star., 1899-11-04
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Proposed improvements to Meet the
Needs of Business.
TERM INALS OF STEAM ROADS
Adapting Property to Be Used for
Commercial Purposes.
V A r 10 U S Nj A T T E r s

1t is likely that in the near future the
local facilities for doing business in two
particulars are to be enlarged. 1t is be-
lieved the settlement of the long dispute
over the ownership of the wharves along
the river front of the city will result in i'm
provement, and also perhaps in increasing
their extent. 1t is also thought that when
the plans which are now said to be under
consideration by the steam railroads enter
ing the city for extensive improvements in
their terminals in the city are carried out,
the handling of freight as well as passenger
business will be facilitated. In both re-
spects it is admitted that changes can be
made in the present conditions with great
advantage to the public.
There is need, it is urged, for more room
on the river front, and the deepening of the
channel at that place would enable vessels
of larger draft to land there. Under the
recent decision of the Supreme Court Of
the United States all the wharf property
is placed under the control of the District
Commissioners, but according to a ruling
of the attorney general the representatives
of the District cannot take possession of the
property until after the court has deter
mined what compensation shall be paid 20
the occupants for the improvements made
by them. 1t is not known when the court
will take this matter up, but in the mean
time the present conditions Will be con-
continued without change.
When the District comes into its own as
defined by the court, then it may be de-
cided to ask at once for an appropriation
which would be In anticipation of the rev.
enues from that source, in order that the
work of making changes can be at once
carried out and substantial as well as
slightly docks and wharves built.
Expansion OF Business.
The plans for the Improvement Of the
steam railroad terminals and entrances
into the city are understood to provide not
only for the abolition of the local grade
crossings, but for enlarged freight yards,
so that local merchants and dealers can re-
ceive goods promptly. The growth of the
business of the city is said to demand in
creased facilities, and in this respect the
proposed changes are only in line with the
actual needs. There is no question that the
volume of the business of the city is stead
lily growing, and that, while the larger re-
tail stores are increasing in extent. and
also in numbers, the smallest places are also
increasing. While this is true of that branch
of business which may be described as the
retail trade, there is likewise a notable ad-
vance in the Importance and value of other
branches of activities. 1t Is not unlikely
that all these forms of commercial life viii
continue to grow. In the opinion of a good
many people who have given the subject
attention there is also an opportunity for
the city without impairing its character as
a residential city.
For Commercial Purposes.
A well-informed business man. in talking
the other day about a profitable method Of
improving piece of property on one of the
principal business thorOughfares expressed
the opinion that If the first floor was ar
ranged so that 1t could be divided into
rather small stores they could be readily
rented. and at figures that would prove
profitable to the owner. He said he thought
stores, as a rule, We're too large and the
rents demanded were more than could be
obtained from the business carried on If
the same space, he said, could be divided
into TWO parts, and the rent cut in the
same fashion, business men would he a HE
TO make better living, and at the same
time pay their expenses He thought the
cLdss i Oh sLnaiI businesses was increasing in
spite OF the somewhat general belief that
the tendency of the larger stores was to
crowd out the smaller ones
Proposed Hotel Enterprise.
Some New York capitalists became inter-
ested recently in a plan of purchasing a
large block of land in the residential sec
ton of the extreme northwestern part of
the city and erecting there fine hotel
building, which would aim to eclipse any-
thing of the sort in this part of the coun-
try. The location was agreed upon and
1iic Nt' tippIiItuL Oh the enterprise had made
so much progress that sketch plans of the
proposed building were prepared. 1t is said
that financially the prospects of the new
enterprise worked out beautifully on paper
ana It's prospects were bright when the
announcement was made of the purpose ia
erect in the near future large hotel build
ing on the present site of Wizards Hotel
Those interested in the other scheme
reached the conclusion that it would not
be good business to attempt to launch an
undertaking of the character they contem-
plated, in view of the expected competition
along the same lines, and so the ENTERPRISE
has been abandoned, for the time at least.
Real Estate transactions.
Ben B. Bradford, real estate broker. re-
ports the following transactions: South
west corner Thomas circle and M street
for Mr. Jackson, $4,000; 2119 Bancroft
street, for Walter Hieston, 81, 800; Lewis
building, corner Louisiana avenue and 9Th
street, VIM 4. Lewis, $4,000 subIot OF
block ., Connecticut Avenue Heights. S27
900; 1915 14th street, for VIM McGuigsan
$4,000; 2139 w street, for Clarence G,
Brandenburg, s17500; 21O1 S street north.
west, for $S1 900; 1873 18th street north.
west, for Mr.. Worch. $1O,OOO lot 25x12s
feet, south side G street between 18th an6
18th streets, $4,000; 1897 Princeton street
for VIM. j. Dante, $4,000