Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-17
Purchase Of Large Block of Land on
G Street,
GROWTH OF THE BUSINESS INTERESTS
Improvements in Progress in Vari-
Gus Sections of the District.
P r I G E S OF LA Nd

The purchase by Messrs. Woodward and
Lothrop of the st. Vincent's Orphan
Asylum property, on street between 10th
and nth streets northwest, as announced
in The Star during the week, was an in
teresting bit of information to property
owners as we'll as dealers. 1t has been
evident to those who note the growth of
the business interests of the city that the
proposed change in the ownership of this
property was a question only of time For
some years past this location has been
manifestly unsuitable for the uses to which
1t was put for SO many years by the asylum
authorities, as it is now in the midst of
one of the busiest sections of the business
retail district
The changes that made F street a bust
ness thoroughfare within quite a recent
period have also been at work along G
street, with the result that there are now
comparatively few private residences on
that street. The side streets have also
shared in this movement, so that literally
the entire section between 9TH street and
18th street and from Pennsylvania avenue
as far north as H street and New York ave
nue. is now devoted to the uses of the retail
trade of the city.
As to the Price Paid.
The price paid for this property has not
been announced, and, as the new owners
will not take possession of it for perhaps
two years. the agreement of sale will not
be followed by any Improvement until the
expiration of that period 1t is believed,
however, by competent judges that the
price agreed to be paid for this property is
not less than S15 per square foot making
the aggregate price On this basis $500 900.
The ground has a frontage of 800 feet on
q street and 100 feet on both 10th and
ct nr11 tatt 10, nan
square feet. 1t is expected a building will
be erected covering this site as an addition
to that now occupied by the business of
Woodward q Lothrop.
This establishment will then cover the en-
tire square, with the exception Of two
small lots at the corner of 10th and f.
streets. The growth of the retail business
of the city is evidenced by such a substan-
tial fact as this There are other indica-
tons which point to an increase in the VOL
ume of the trade of the city, showing that
in this respect. as well as in others the
development of the city has gone on in
spite of the severity of the recent period of
financial depression.
Increase in Business.
There are not lacking those whose conf
dence in the future of the city finds con-
firmation in this class of facts, as well as
others, indicating the material progress of
the city in every direction. The large
iHlOuHl VI capital lndl mas recently been
invested here in street railroad and other
enterprises with the low rate of interest at
which 1t has been possible to place the
securities, affords further confirmation not
only OF the solid, substantial foundation
upon which the material life of the city
rests but also confidence in it's future
The purchase noted above, as well as
the completion of the rapid transit street
railroad on G street, serves to call atten-
ton to the future of that thoroughfare
1t is believed by some of the property own
ers that the movement, which was well
under way when the hard times came
changing this street into a business street
will be revived now under favorable condi-
lions. In this connection it is said by
some who are interested in this street that
Me ssrs. Woodward and Lothrop, if they
choose, could make the G street front of
their property the principal front and that
the main entrance of their establishment
could be shifted around from F street to
G street.
Buildings for Educational Purposes.
The building operations in the vicinity of
the Catholic University are not only quite
extensive, but are being pushed forward,
with the result that several new buildings
of large size Will be completed in the course
OF the next few months. Progress is being
made on the buildings that are being put
up for the use of the Order of Franciscans,
while the structure for the College of the
Holy Cross is fast nearing completion.
Ground is to be broken next month for
the erection of a building for the use of
the Marst Fathers, adjoining the univer-
sity on the north, while next week it is
expected the corner stone of the first of
the buildings to constitute what will be
known the Trinity College for Women
is to be laid. This will be the chapel to be
erected by the Sisters of Notre Dame
1t is stated that the Sisters of Charity in
charge of St Vincent's Orphan Asylum are
looking at building sites in this locality
fn hIriII
ing where the orphans now in the home
at 10th and q streets, which has been sold,
are to go when that building is vacated.
KeniIworth Houses.
Two new buildings are in course of con-
struction at Kenilworth, D. c. Mr.. Thos
w. Cisse1l Is erecting a six-room cottage,
to cost 5000, and Mr.. A. R. Lindsey is
building a large store, which will cost
$500. Plans are drawn for six-room
houses, to cost $1,000 each, for Messrs.
Alexander H. Simmons and Geo f, Susan
and building will be commenced soon.
Methods of House Building.
High temperatures are likely to be some
what the feature of life in this city for the
balance of the summer. These are season.
able conditions, and while at times they
seem to be somewhat rigorous, it is by no
means a merely local peculfarity It is
one OF the experiences of the season that
some houses are more comfortable than
others, just as some localities in the coun-
try have more moderate temperatures than
prevail III other sections.
Similar information about the houses we
dwell in was obtained during the stress of
cold weather last winter. It may not be
generally known, but houses that are I'M
comfortable in cold weather are apt to be
the same in hot weather AS rule a
house is cold in winter because the brick
walls are badly constructed and the
searching winds find an entrance The
same walls admit the hot air Of summer
Bad construction generally finds an ample
explanation in the bills paid to the work
men.
A good brick wall costs money, because
it takes time and skill to lay bricks prop
erly. The quality of the work in this par
ticular determines the character of the
building. and it is here largely that the
temptation lies to skimp and save. BY
fir,rr OFF dali re 4 a. at