Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-05
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Provision Made for Needs Of an In
creasing Population.
IMPROVEMENTS IN VARIOUS SECTIONS
Ornamental! Effect of Grass Plots
About City Homes.
V A JUS M TIE S

The old building at the northwest corner
or pennsylvania avenue and 10th street
northwest is to be remodeled by direction
of the owner. Mr.. Andrew B. Graham.
The upper floors will be adapted for use as
flats while the lower floor will continue to
be used for business purposes. The build
ing Is interesting from the fact that it is
the corner one in the row of what was for
merly known as the Seven Buildings, erect
ed in the early part of the present century.
Perhaps the mose-notabe period in the his
tory of the entire row was after the war OF
1e12, as 1t is called, when the corner struc-
ture became the residence of President
Madison and was the Executive Mansion
for several years.
1t will be recalled that the invasion of the
city by the British in August, 1914. forced
President and Mrs Madison to flee from
the White House across the river into Vir-
glnla The deserted mansion was burned
by the hVaders and other public buildings
IN the city shared the same fate. When
the President and his family returned TO
the city they were obliged to find a home
elsewhere than in the house provided by
the nation.
For few days they stayed with a rela-
tive of Mrs. Madison, and then accepted
the offer of Colonel Tayloe to occupy his
residence at the northeast corner of New
York avenue and 18th street, known as the
Octagon House. This house is now the
home Of the Institute of American Archi-
tects. 1t has been restored by sympathetic
hands and is one of the best specimens of
colonial architecture to be found in this
part of the country. The President con-
tinued to occupy the Tayloe house until
the treaty OF peace was signed. which was
In December. 1914 and then he removed to
the house above referred to.
An Apartment House.
An apartment house is being erected at
the southeast corner of New York and New
Jersey avenues by the Weaver Bros. The
new structure designed by Arthur B. Hea-
ton architect, will have frontage Of SO
1eet on New Jersey avenue and IS feet on
New York avenue, and will be four stories
in height. The material used will princ-
pally be brick and of variety which has
not oeen employed in this city. 1t is made
OF deep red clay containing a species of
iron deposit, which is in spots of dark
enough shade to be noticeable. This Is es-
peciaiy the case in the ends of the bricks,
ana as tney are to be laid in Flemish bond.
every otner one header, the contrast be-
tween the shade Of the body of the brick
ana the spots will, it is thought, give a
pleasing my appearance pea Is to the building.
this device.
The entrance will be in the center of the
principal front, and will be marked by the
worked out In brick. At the roof line there
WIN De gable The suites are to consist of
four and hve rooms each. which will include
Kitchens. A special feature will be made
OF the entrance hall, which will have a
wainscoting Of white Italian marble with
decorated walls and mosaic floor
A Suburban Library Building.
Inc same architect has prepared de-
sign Tor a library which it is proposed to
erect at CheVy Chase. It will be an addi-
ton to the north of the present post office
ana VIII form the central portion of the
9 9ultding as It will be when finished. TIE
the north, which win balance the present
post Office building.
BACK Yards of City Houses.
II Is quite evident the people of this city
very generally appreciate the beauty of
grass plots and lawns. and while there are
sun many who do not have that respect
.or tne DTS OF green which will prevent
o onem !, from marring its beauty by walking
NV g., 10 save few steps, yet they are
not IN the majority. In some localities,