Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-04-29
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Recent Investments in Business and
in Other Property.
some PROPOSED APARTMENT HOUSES
Interest Manifested in the Future
Of Pennsylvania Avenue.
BUILDIN GS GOING UP

Some of the transactions which have been
made matter of record recently as we'll
as others which have been announced and
some which are still under way indicate
that the feature of the market found to be
characteristic early in the season still con-
tinues. The demand for property thus far
is largely from those who wish to make In
Vestments. Perhaps the most notable in
stances are the two purchases of Wash
ington realty which have been made by Mr..
Charles II. Bond of Boston. Through his
agents. Davidson & Davidson, real estate
brokers, he bought the property at the
northwest corner of 10th and F streets, and
has already made arrangements for the
erection of a business building, which he
has agreed to lease to local business man
at an advantageous rate.
A Record Breaker.
During the past week Mr.. Bond completed
the second of his purchases, and this one,
like the first, was of business property. 1t
comprised some 11000 square feet of ground
at the southwest corner of 14th street and
New York avenue. 1t is proposed by the
new owner to erect there a business build
ing which will be an ornament to that sec
ton of the city, and, OF course, Will be eX-
pected to yield a good return upon the
money invested.
1t is interesting to note in this connection
that the large proportion of the purchase
money which aggregated $1S5,COO, was paid
for the corner lot although in area it IS
only One-fifth of the entire space. over S3O
per square foot was paid for the So feet
in the corner lot while for the balance of
the i 81 square feet $13.H per square foot
was paid, aggregating about $13000O. The
owner, Mr.. Olcott, bought the property at
liz Ia -, n1tn vii
ST. 900. 1t may be said that the figure re-
ceived for the corner lot is record breaker
in that locality, as it is the highest price
yet paid.
In addition to the sales above mentioned
there were others, notably two of It'll street
property. In both of the last named cases
it was noticed that the speculative value
did not seem to have much influence as
the income producing quality of the prop
critics.
New Church Edifces.
The generous offer of Mr.. Chas. B.
Church and his son, w. A. H. Church, to
erect on the site of the Westminster Pres
byterian Church, on 18th street southwest,
handsome stone edifice has been accepted
by the congregation. 1t is the plan now to
begin about the list of June the building OF
the chapel, which will be in the rear of the
present building as well of the proposed
new edifce. 1t is thought this part of the
new structure can be erected now, and
next spring, when it is designed to begin
the erection of the church building proper,
and when, of course, it will be necessary
to remove from the present building, the
congregation can occupy the chapel while
the work of construction is in progress.
Much the same course has been followed
by the congregation of the Fourth Presby-
terrain Church in the erection of the new
house of worship on Columbia Heights.
The chapel which occupies the rear portion
OF the lot has been built and will be oc-
the second Sunday in May. The main
portion of the building, where the audi
forum Will be located. will be erected some
time in the future. In the meantime the
congregation will leave the old location on
9th street near G street northwest, where
the encrOachments of business have made
a change necessary, and will take possess
sion of the new field on the heights over
looking the city.
To Beautify Pennsylvania Avenue.
Architects as we'll as others who are in
terested in the material development and
Improvement of the city regard the propo-
sition which has come from the committee
on stands of the jubilee committee as one
of great Importance. This committee,
through its chairman, Mr.. Joseph c. Horn
blower, the well-known architect acting on
the initiative of the chairman, has invited
from architects and designers suggestions
Tor the designs of stands which it is pro-
posed TO erect along the avenue for the
celebra ton
Mr.. Hornbiower's idea is to bring ont
plans for the treatment of Pennsylvania
avenue on such occasions which will en-
nance the effect of what is one of the most
famous streets in the world 1t is recoe-
nlZed that its present surroundings are not
all that might be expected of such a his
torlc thoroughfare, but 1t is believed that
before long the conditions will be changed
and system of improvements inaugurated
"a
its name.
In the meantime the question of the
proper treatment of such a street is one of
great Importance, and the study which has
neen started by Mr.. Hornblower will. II is
hoped, produce tangible results. II ia not
at all unlikely that if the short time that
now remains before the date of the cole
Dfatloh OF next month will not allow for
the reproduction of designs, something can
be done that will show the possjbilities not
merely of temporary structures but for
those which will be permanent and will
Cont1bute to the attractiveness and the
dignity OF the avenue.
There will be other opportunities whom q
VIII be desired to deck the avenue In Gala
attire, and the designs can then he nut
into use. P
street haiiroad Compnny's Buildings,
improvements and changes are being
made by the Few street railroad interests
in the buildings which have been acouired
through the recent purchase of the various
properties. The stables of the old Ecking-
ton road, now the City and Suburban. at
18th and d streets northeast, are being
remodeled for use as car barns new
car barn is being erected at lexington on
the site OF the electric power house burned
not long ago. 1t is the purpose to erect
a passenger station on the line of Rhode
Island avenue extended, at the District
line, and al Hyattsville a power station
Is to be built. Richardson & Burgess are
the contractors. Similar changes are proh
able in the other buildings acquired. if
they are to be retained, as there will he
only one power house that of the Potomac