Evening star., 1900-11-24
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Course of Some Recent Purchases for
Investment Purposes,
THE VALUES In BUSINESS SECTIONS
The Extensive Residence Recently
Completed for Mrs. Townsend.
NJ A TT + RS OF IN L Z r T S T

During the past week the titles to two
pieces of property in the business sections
Of the city have changed hands-a matter
of interest for the reason that the trans
actions in those localities are not frequent.
One of the properties referred to is No. 904
Pennsylvania avenue, the south side of
that thoroughEare just west Of 9th street.
1t has a frontage of twenty-eight feet seven
inches and extends back about sixty feet,
with frontage c street. The pur-
chaser was Christian Heurich, and the
price was $25,1O.
The other purchase was the property
known as 1905 F street. This is three
story and basement structure, having
frontage of IS feet 10 inches and depth
of S21a The purchaser was Mr. James NJ.
Johnston, who paid for the property the
sum of $50, 100. The building is now under
lease which has about two years to run.
II is the intention of The new owner to
make such changes at the end of that
period so that the property can be used
fol- commercial purposes.
Another transaction of interest was the
purchase by the Columbia Hotel Company
of the property adjoining the Raleigh Hotel
building on Eth street between fennsyl-
vania avenue and + street The buI4dlng
which is No 419 18th street, covers lie en-
tire lot. which has frontage of % feet
and depth of about 100 feet. 1t was the
l ). j.
paid S45,"D0. 1t is announced by the
purchasers that the purpose in buying this
additional property is not to enlarge the
hotel building.
Mrs. To>vnsend's House.
The residence of Mrs. Scott Townsend.
at the northeast corner of Massachusetts
and Florida avenues northwest, which has
just been completed. is the largest private
residence in this city. That is mentioned,
,-;,,, t., ~ Nv
the bulk of the building, but merely the
record of a fact. The structure is well
proportioned, and, although the front is
made conspicuous by the use of stone Of
q light shade it's extent does not thrust it
self upon the observation. Architecturally,
the building is an excellent as well as
correct example of the French style known
as the Renaissance, and quite an eabo
rate type Of that school. which, is well
known is distinguished in its extreme ex-
pies by profuse decorations.
The front of the Townsend house, which,
as stated, is built of stone of a light shade.
almost white, consists of central portion
three stories in height with attic,
and with wings on each side two
stories in height. Heavy ornamental
tions consisting of wreaths and heads,
stand out in the bold relief Of carved
work about the openings and at the cornice.
An elaborate stone balustrade borders the
curved driveway from the street to the
main entrance OF the house. which is on a
level with the street. and which is protected
by hood of iron and glass Massive stone
pCrches are found at each end of the house,
with steps leading into the spacious grounds
In which the house stands. Perhaps the
mos: noticeable thing about the structure,
and the one that is generally most COM
mented upon. is the strange fancy of using
brick instead of stone for the side walls.
and those of the back portion of the house.
An ;ncongruous Feature.
II has much the effect Of raw brick wall
although the color scheme IS modified by the
Introduction of header courses of black
brick, and by special variety, not the COM
mon kind, as might be supposed which is
used in the construction with stone trim
mings AS the house stands detached
and the great stretch of the side
walls is visible from Massachusetts ave-
nue. on both sides, the contrast with the
rich stone front is sufficient not only to
attract attention, but to convey an impress
sion of incongruity. o.
trimmed with white stone like those of the
side walls of the house, stands on the rear
Of the lot. and, like the residence itself, has
been well built of excellent material.
The interior of this house might be
expected from it's generous frontage of 100
feet. and the other proportions on like
scale. is simply palatial. There is no part
of it that gives such an idea Of space as
that which Is afforded by the hall on the
first or rather. the second, story. 1t is in
the rear of the tier of rooms which extends
along the front of the house, with the eX-
ception of the west wing.
A Spacious Hall.
In the latter the entire space is devoted
to the ball room. but from it wide doors
open into the han. which, stated, con-
tinues through the entire length of the
house to the east end where sash doors
open on the stone porch.
The proportions of this great hall are
we'll preserved, and, although 1t extends
almost 100 feet. the width Is such as to
| make 1t superb in its proportions. The hail
is reached from the basement or first story
by fight of stairs which ascends from
a large entrance hall. AS stated the
| plan of the second or principal floor COM
| prises the hall, with the parlor and recep-
| ton rooms arranged on the south side the
| windows overlooking Massachusetts, ave-
| nue., while the ball room, on the west side
| extends the entire depth Of that wing, and
| forms the western termination of the great
| hall. North Of the hall, and occupying the
| entire width Of the wing or back build
| ing. is the dining room. which, after the
hall, Is the noblest room in the house
The finish as we'll as the decoration of
! the rooms on the principal floor is of the
| highly decorative order and is In harmony
| with the general style Of the entire building
| In the ball room the walls are lined with
mirrors. Silk Is used for the covering of
| the walls in some Of the rooms and the
| fixed ornamentations are Of the rather pro-
fuse character which is found in structures
| Of this type.