Evening star., 1901-12-14
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Influence of the Parking Commission
Plan on Property Interests.
FEATURES OF RECENT TRANSACTIONS
The Progress Being Made Toward
Realty Exchange Organization.
MATTERS OF INTEREST

AS far as the details are known, it is be-
lieved that the plans for the Improvement
and Identification of the city which will be
submitted to Congress by the parking COM
mission will stimulate the interest in real
estate. While that, of course, is only one
phase of the result of the work of this COM
mission, and one, too, that naturally IL
did not have in mind, still it is an impor-
tant consideration to all who have prop
erty interests. 1t is not anticipated espe-
cially that land values will rise in conse-
quence of the possibilities that may be
pointed out by the commission for changes
and improvements in the future, but rather
that an impetus will be given to enterprises
of various kinds that will tend to build up
the city.
1t is the opinion of men who have given
the subject some attention that there is no
need to lay emphasis upon the fact that
realty holdings in and about the city have
a value now which is likely to be enhanced
in the years to come, as that is already
matter of firm and general belief
CO-OperatiOn of Land Owners.
1t is said by some that a tendency to
invest in real estate, with the view of taxi
has perhaps been too manifest in the past
Now, however, property investments are
made mainly with the view Of Improvement.
In order to carry out some portions of the
plans of the parking commission 1t will be
necessary for the government to acquire
land here and there but as such holdings
tend to increase the values of adjoining
property, the cooperation of land owners
is enlisted. The public holdings in the Dis
trict added to from year to year, as
the needs of the public service require, so
that the government is becoming the prln-
cipal owner of realty in the District,
well as within that part of the territory
which is within the Lounds of the old ur-
ban limits.
A Business Building.
The removal of the old building at 1912
F street northwest was begun during the
week. 1t is the intention of the new owner,
Mr.. Herbert Bryant of Alexandria, to erect
upon that site, stated in The Star, fine
modern business building which will be
planned so as to be suited for the business
of Mr.. Alexander V. Grimes, who has
leased the property for ten years. The
new structure is to be three stories in
height, and the front, as designed by Marsh
& Peter, architects, will be built of brick
of light shade. The price for the prop
erty, which was owned by the Tally heirs,
was $4,000.
Col. Alexander's House.
lot has just been purchased by Colonel
]. B. Alexander U. S. A, retired, through
E. G. Baumgras, real estate broker. 1t Is
on the west side of Connecticut avenue
between Hillyer place and r street, and
has a frontage Of twenty-five feet and
depth of 100 feet. The price paid was
about S4 per square foot 1t is the purpose
of the new owner to erect on this site a
residence for himself.
Organization of Realty Brokers.
The committee appointed at the recent
meeting of real estate brokers to devise
some plan for an organization among those
engaged in that line of business is giving
a good deal of time to the subject, and is
endeavoring to make use Of the experience
in other cities so as to get all ideas that
be advanced to the details of such
an organization. Owing to the inability of
Mr.. James E. Fitch to serve on this COM
mittee, his place has been filled by the ap-
pointment of Mr.. Charles ]. Bell. The COM
mittee, now constituted, consists of Will
liam Corcoran Hill, chairman; Thos. E.
Waggaman, Jesse L. Heskel, Geo. w.
SwartZell, David Moore, Robert G. Ruther-
ford, Charles ]. Bell and James B. Winner
A good deal of interest is manifested in the
work of the committee, and it's report
which is to be presented at a meeting of
real estate brokers to be held Tuesday
is looked forward to with general anticipa-
ton. 1t is the desire of the committee to
fit the needs which seem to exist.
A Sale of Land.
The McLachlen Real Estate and Loan
Company, in connection with Messrs. Fitch,
Fox & Brown, real estate brokers, has
sold for the estate Of Joseph Casey to
John A. Massie and George s. Rees, trus-
tees, lots D. %, "a and %, in block 3; lots
IL 13, IA, 15 and 16, in block 6; lot 80, in
block II, and lot 20. in block IA, in the SUBJ
division of Meridian Hill, said lots contain
ing 1O1 ,597 square feet and having frontages
on Ontario avenue, Superior street and Gen.
trail avenue.
New Subdivision.
Marie V. Gehring Of Philadelphia has pur-
chased the tract known as Boyle property
on East Capitol street extended east, in
the District. The property comprises fifty
seven acres, and the price was something
less than $4,000. the owner intends to plat
into acre lots. This addition to Washington
will be known Central Heights. This
section is developing and improving rapidly.
The property is beautifully located, and
acre lots will be placed on the market at
reasonable figures.
Connecticut Avenue Property.
A magnificent ball room, the largest in
connection with any residence in this city,
1t is said, is to be built as an addition to
the spacious home of Mr.. Draper. the for
mer Ambassador TO Italy. In tne rear OI
| the house, formerly the home of Mrs.
Washington Mclean, at the northeast cor
ner Of Connecticut avenue and X street, on
Farragut square, is considerable space, and
| it is the purpose to bring out the new addi-
| ton to the building line on Connecticut
avenue.
The adjoining house on K street, which
has been practically rebuilt by Mr.. Chas.
c. Glover, so as to adapt 1t to his own
home, will be notable because Of the spa
| ciousness of the dining room. This room
occupies practically all the space Of the
| large addition in the rear, which Mr.. Glover
| has made. The walls are to have hand
some hangings Of silk, which will blend in
| the color scheme Of the wood Of the ceiling
and Of the wainscoting.
On the next block above, on Connecticut
avenue, is the property which has just been
| brought by Col. George H Higbee of Bur-
| lington, Iowa. 1t comprises the northwest
corner of Connecticut avenue and l. street,
| having a frontage of seventy-four feet on
| Connecticut avenue and eighty-seven feet
on L street. The total area is about 1900
| square feet and the price paid was $50 1000.
| Westcott & Story, real estate brokers, rep
l toA hos ov,I TNIl n