The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-02-04
EXPERIMENT IN HOUSE "
To Construct n Group Of Dwellings with /"
Common Light and Heating Plant.


The Girari Estate in Philadelphia ia soon to
try an experiment which / have often thought
would prove successful In New York" said a
real estate dealer. and l have no doubt but
that II will be- tried here some day. Every
man who owns a house in New York and who
has even given the subject any thought knows
that there IL a lot OF waste in the running OF II
which might be- saved II he com bined re.
sources with his neighbors. The Trustees OF
the Girard Estate are going TO demonstrate
that fact. They propose 10 build a block OF
dwellings near Girard Park In the southern
part OF the city vh,ch will be furnished with
light and heat from a central plant for a COM
paratively small addition 10 the rent and be-
lleys that they can do It with profit. There
will be small garden plots In front OF these
houses and the estate will also take care OF
them.
The Americans are an eXtravagant people In
the way in which they live. Several years ago.
when | spent part OF a year IN Paris, | had the
fact brought home to me. For Instance. a
French family whose income would permit
them in this country to live comfortably in a
moderate priced fiat will. in Paris. save money
for other purposes By living in three or four
rooms and using a Common Kitchen with hall a
dozen OtncT luUullir~' ~ hlcN "~
AZ a very misery way OF existing, but after
seeing something OF the home lie Of a family
living in this way | was forced TO confess that
they we're quite as comfortable as they would
have been in n New York fiat and their dinners
were better. We are behind the times. here
In the matter OF economic housekeep-
ing. Why should not a book OF houses
owned by the same estate. aud there are many
such. have n common heating and Lighting
plant and possibly a common laundry aud
Kitchen The common k,tchrn Would not s spt
think Of It's advantages, There wonld De no
odor OF cooking in the house and in the sum
mer no heat from the kitchen The directions
tages could be demonstrated. know, 81 one
estate In BROOKLYN which has invested a large
amount o. money ~ SO T2I"T mo1 n3uS Sna wwhhjjSchh
has done something toward advancing tho
community.of- interest idea, For instance. 10
employs. regularly. paper hangers. PAINTERS
and plumbers. whose services are AT the ue-
mand Of the tenants.
Good real estate Is one " the very best In,
vestments in New York and am snrrrisei'
that none OF the wealthy investors IN It has
never seen the advantages OF the pan whlen
the Glrari Estate IL going 70 test. | heard not
long ago that a company o. English CONTRASTS
build some model apartment houses These
agents were considering buying Tour blocks IN
occupied by chean tensments, and worse
SOM apartment houses which should
surround a private park. This would
mean the regeneration Of n neigborhood that
has for years been looked upon as hopeless FOR
good residences. II the men who, are looking
for real estate Investments would show some
originality OF leas and an inclination To eaten
UP with the times their profits would be sirer
and The lot Of their tenants would be happier,
The men who huiid houses for Investment
make the great mistake OF constructing Just
the same sort OF houses that have been build
ing in New York for twenty years past, Ever;
other sort ot industry has lar surpassed that OF
housebullding In its Improvements. The
Girard Estate will give a big object lesson In
ia block of PHILADELPHIA houses"