The evening times., 1899-06-01
GREAT ACTIVITY IN
SUBURBAN BUILDING
New Structures in all the
City's tnvirons.
Real Estate Men Gratified With the
Existing Boom.
Prospect of Improved Transports
zion Encourages the Erection OF
Homes ON the Outskirts.

One of the most noticeable indications
that Washington is progressing is the ac-
tivity in building and the municipal i'm
provements which are going on in the
suburbs. In nearly all sections OF the Dis
trict outside of the old city boundaries
the construction of new buildings for store
and dwelling purposes is extensive. The
activity in this line is greater than it has
been since the beginning of the business
depression in 1893.
The foecast which was generally made
by real estate men during the winter has
been fulfilled. The building operations
have not been confined to the suburban
towns within the District, but extends 10
sections in the contiguous counties OF Ma
ryland and Virginia. The country in the
northwest section of the District IS par
ticularly the seat of activity. On Column
bia Heights and Washington Heights many
handsome residences are being constructed
and the money being spent in this way
amounts to fully a million dollars.
In Holmead Manor, near the northern
terminus of the Capital Traction
Company's lines, building is especially ac-
tive and the houses in course OF erection
are of class which command good rent.
Along Brightwood Avenue in the adjoin-
ing subdivisions, dwellings OF supstan-
tial character have been contracted for or
S.e already in course OF construction.
Brightwood Park is being built up rapidiy.
In nearly every instance brick Is the ma
terial used. Real estate men who handle
property In these sections abutting along
the Brightwood Railway say that during
the past few years investors and builders
have been unwilling to spend money IN the
sections dependent upon the road as a
means of reaching the city. The service
has been bad and the cost OF reaching the
heart of the city too high. Now that the
road has changed hands and better service
and a cheaper fare have been promised,
they see TO reason why the improvements
which have been commenced should not
continue. In nearly every suburban Sec
tion where an increased activity is shown
it is generally accredited in large meas
ure to the outlook for faster and better
street car service.
Georgetown and the outlying suburban
sections have felt the impetus of the BOOM
New streets are being opened up IN the
land abutting on the Tenleytown Road, and
building operations are by far more active
than ever before. The Hearst School for
girls is in the course of construction and
two very fine dwellings. one to be occupied
by A. l.. Barber and the other by John X.
Mclean are the principal and most expen-
sive structures being put up. Aside from
these buildings, numerous smaller dwell
ings have been contracted for, some OF
which are nearing completion.
The prospect for continuance OF op-
erations on the heights OF Georgetown
and in the country reaching eastward
toward Chevy Chase is concidered by those
who are familiar with the properties con-
tanned to be very bright. The building OF
the American University, which will add
much to the attractiveness Of the sur
rounding country, is considered as a guar
antee for the erection Of many more in
stitutions of similar character aside from,
those already planned. The ground is high
and commands views of the surrounding
country for miles around, and, with con-
venient means of reaching it. which are
promised the real estate men predict a
large and rapid growth.
The suburban villages along the main
line of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
and the new electric railroad, which will
ultimately extend to Baltimore, have
shared in the general prosperity. Nearly
every section of the District is witness
ing the erection of additional buildings
1t is confidently predicted by men who
are familiar with the growth Of the city
and District, that within the next ten
years many of the places which are now
open country will be solidly built up.
Now that the activity has commenced
it is thought nothing short of great de-
preston will retard the progress being
made. Washingtonians seem to have
been instiiled with a general desire to
emigrate to the country, where the advan-
tages of both city and country can be
eniOyed