Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-19
REAL ESTATE MARKET
Favorable Conditions Which Give
Promise for the Future.
TIE SEASON FOR RENTING HOUSES
Improving the Character Of the
Local Public Buildings.
@ T Y N A P A R K

|CI T Y I N A P A r K
In the real estate offices there are al
ready indications that the annual rental
season is about to open. While it is some
what early for people to begin to make
definite arrangements for the coming WIN
ter, there are some who are already max
ing inquiries. These early harbingers of
the coming season have, however,
method in being first, they want the
chance of selecting from the best the mar
ket affords, and for this reason are not
willing to delay the inevitable. Later in the
season the choice is naturally much re-
stricted and house hunters are apt to en-
counter disappointments in finding houses
which just suit them taken by some one
who happened to be earlier in the field.
OF course, it is impossible to tell at this
early date what the extent of the demand
for houses will be, but the feeling in real
estate circles and among those who have
an opportunity to form an accurate judg
ment is that the market will not be inact-
i've. This belief is founded largely on the
improved conditions in the business world
generally, as that always has a reflex in
fiuence upon realty 1t is evident that peo-
pie are making more money than they did,
consequence the situation in all lines of
activity has changed for the better.
1t is easier to sell property of all kinds
than was the case year or two ago, show
ing that the money market is easier. The
record shows that larger number of new
buildings were erected during the period of
seven months just closed than during the
corresponding period of last year. 1t is
natural to believe therefore that the COM
ing fall season Is to be one Of decided char
acter in the realty market
Designing Public Buildings.
1t is likely that the cause of good archi-
lecture for local public buildings in this
city will not suffer as long architects
themselves display the spirit which was
manifested in the response to circular
recently sent out by the District Commits
sioners 1t was explained that plans were
wanted for a building to be used as a
manual training school for the colored
pupils of the District. and that there was
no money to pay those whose designs were
not accepted; that the author of the &C
copied plan would be paid the usual COM
mission on the cost Of the building, and that
about 100000 was available for that pur-
pose.
In response to this circular the Commits
sioners received about thirteen designs, and
in the lumber of architects represented
were some of the leading men in the pro-
fession in this city. 1t is unusual for archi-
tectS to have plans prepared in their offices
at considerable outlay of money unless
some provision is made to reimburse them
at least the cost of the work done. 1t is
of course, the intention to select the plan
which in the judgment of the Commission
ers will be the best adapted for the pur-
pose intended Whatever the choice may be
the Commissioners will at least have the
opportunity to select from designs which
are not the perfunctory work of some
draughtsmen, but the result Of the applica-
ton Of the brains and skill of architects
in solving the problems which the erection
OF a building of the sort involves.
All the public local buildings recently
erected have been designed by architects,
and not by draughtsmen, in the Office Of
the building inspector, and no doubt If a
comparison was made of the exteriors only
of the structures erected under the former
system with those recently built the gen.
eral verdict would pronounce the newer
buildings more slightly in every way. The
general government is gradually abandon
ing the present policy Of employing
draughtsmen as the designers Of public
buildings.
City in n Park.
Owing to the prevalence of rain storms
during the summer the city has not lost the
freshness Of its spring garb, and now at
the close Of the last month of summer the
trees and the lawns are still clothed with
much of the luxuriance of spring Usually
the grass becomes dry and yellow at this
season, and the leaves ShriveI up on the
trees and begin to fall to the ground, and
the melancholy evidences of the decay Of
the year are on every hand However the
CITY IS sui empowered in greenery, and as
one passes along the streets beneath the
arching branches of the trees with bloom
ing flowers and the fresh green lawns on
all sides, he has realizing sense that the
city is still as attractive as during the early
months of the season.
There has, perhaps. never been a year
when the city in these aspects has pre-
scented SO many charms. So luxuriant is
htNh fo
one section, that 1t seems as If the entire
city was located in a great park with its
trees and lawns. The surrounding suburbs
have shared in this exuberance Of nature,
and those who go out beyond the purely
urban line into the country by means of the
street railroads or by other conyeyances
have an opportunity of looking upon
scenery of great beauty Altogether Wash
ington must be admitted to be a charming
place, and as a summer resort 1t has ad-
vantages which can be balanced up against
some places that really make pretenses in
that direction.
Some improvements.
Some improvements of a minor character.
but of consequence to those interested in
the property, are being made in the local
lily of 10th and H streets northwest. An
addition Of a two-story building is being
made by Mr.. John Hay, the Secretary of
State. to the facilities of his fine residence
at the northwest corner Of those streets
The new structure stands in the yard adj
joining the house, and is similar in char
actor to the one that was erected when the
house was built.
The roof of st. Johns Episcopal Church
has been recovered with slate, while i'm
proVeMents have been made in the spacious
grounds about the Coleman residence A
new fence has been built and the stable.
which is near the 10th street front of the
property. has been improved.
Interior changes are being made in the
Arlington Hotel building and also in that of
the Richmond Hotel, while some rather
elaborate alterations are being made in the
club house of the Cosmos Club.
Suburban Chances
Three houses are being built by Miles Full
Ter in Somerset Heights. Early in the sea-
son Mr.. Fuller erected five houses in this
subdivision. which are now occupied. AL
though beyond the District line and in
Maryland, residents Of this locality entov
the advantages of a water supply. and
they also have sewer connections for their
houses. Under the new management the
Tenleytown and Glen Echo street RAILWAYS
which cross at this place, are being placed
in better condition, and the schedules show
consideration Of the needs Of the people in
that locality.
Work is now in progress in laying the
tracks for the proposed road to Rockville,
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