Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-06
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Probable Change in the Current Style
of Architecture.
ENGLISH AND FRENCH EXAMPLES
Encouraging Outlook for Business
Prospects the Coming Season.
V A r 1 o U S NJ TIERS

People who build houses either for them
selves or for some one else, are Interested
at this season of the year to know whether
there Is to be any change in the style of
architecture during the coming months and
if so. what it Will be. There seems to be
for change, as It appears that architec-
tural forms have their periods of style
much as bonnets have, although, perhaps,
with not the same degree of frequency. Who
the arbiter is of these variations is as
difficult to determine as it is to know who
Will decide the form and shape of the
bonnets that will be worn next summer if
that is not already done
However, the source is of little impor-
lance, providing the thing is done. Builders
have to face the practical question Of suit
ing the public taste, and for this reason
they are anxious to be in the fore front
with any novelty. 1t is recognized that
the people demand something new, or,
perhaps, more correctly speaking, some
thlns different from that which is in use
Utility in Architecture.
MS desire is satisfied in some instances
by bringing old forms into new comhina
tons. and in fact, the latter NAV he said
to represent about all the novelty there is
IN modern domestic architecture, excent.
oI course. the genuine revivals or adapta-
lions which are worked out by some mas
yer hfhd and leads to the adoption of a
distinct style. After all with the hest ~
chltectS the style is not so much nc the
htneSs OF the building for the purnosaS
10 which 1t IS to be put When It is known
w. What work is required of a building then
the exterior design can be made So az 70
internal nt,,t-
Ihere are also what NAV be termed c+o
PIE StEies' which represent all grades from,
ett Ugly ard awkward to the graceful and
at'[dcuEe. Inc progress of the evolution
ot style OF architecture seems to be tht.
hGopllon OF some particular form in the
erection of a building which attracts IA
VorahIe attention, ana then the era of mi
tdtloh sets IN, and gradually the thing is
these forms A''''"'
Demands of Fashion.
The starting point may be in some large
anu expensive mouse, or 1t may be in a
group or a single example of a suburban
i'"ine Whatever the origin, 1t is apparent
TO those who build to please that their
houses must be in the prevailing style and,
lurther. must look as much like exnensive
residences as possible. While the cost ron
Fesehts small percentage of what was
expended in the original, this demand re
SITS III getting some rather varied If not
cpiTiIendable, effects, instead of the com
and the nonotenous. In tbfs ci+,
"htfe 1t Is not unusual for the individu9i
to build, domestic architecture has creatar
variety than in cities where people as a
rule buy houses which some ono e,.e
builds oi'e else
me current style in architecture inst now,
may De SAID to be of the colonial. and his
i influences the form Of the exteriors Of
houses as well as the interior fittinrs "a
E,yrg9f In he, lar
SlNe houses this style has not been foIInpraa
o. any extent IN this city, although colonial
furniture and decorations are common
enough in houses of all grades.
French and English STYLES.
Now it is said the prevalence of this stv1e
IS ABOUT to end and something new is TO
come IN and take It's place. Exactly what
thtS something new IS going to be is not
Known nut 1t Is surmised there may be an
attempt to introduce more fully than has
been the case what is known as tho st,.1o
Of the French renaissance. The n7nst of5h
crate example may be found in tho hnusa
Of Mrs. Geo. W. Childs on K street ,,a3,
run street although a more recent in
stance is the residence which Mr. c NJ
Jones is building on Massachusetts aTa .tiUa
near nth street, or that of Mrs SIT
townsend ON Massachusetts avenue ,Saar
ISL street. The Library Of Congress and
STATE, War and Navy buildings Represents
the same school, and. as these Instances
snow, It's features are the classic fo,n1s
overlaid with ornamentation, the extent If
the latter depending mainly on the means
and also the taste of the owner or archf-
tcct. -
There is also an idea that the coming
style Will be what is known as the English
Gothic. an example of which. and a fine
one, may be seen in the residence which
mas been built for good many years, and
winch Is located at the northeast corner Of
lLth and l streets, formerly known "a the
Meyer House. A modern instance is a row
OF three houses on Columbia road inst
north Of California avenue 1t Is said This
style, with Its clustered window openInpS
ana the roof line broken by gables. is es
pec1ally adapted for suburban Residences
II Is also capable of considerable ornamen.
taton, as the divisions In the windows can
be marked by tracery work, while orna-
mental devices can be used at the roof
cOrnice. ~
business Improvement
Notice has been served on the tenants in
the building adjoining on the west of that
now occupied by the Riggs National Rank
to Vacate, as 1t is the intention of the
bank. owner of the property, to remove
the present structure and erect a new
building for its uSe The uorl, Of b,,;,a;.-