Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-19
Some Large Enterprises Which Are
Now Being Considered.
Home FOR THE FRENCH LEGATION
Important Additions to the Com
merciaI Structures Of the City.
NJ ATT Frs OF n r E r L S T


ton have been brought to the notice of the
ambassador, and both he and some of the
members of the embassy have given con-
siderable attention TO this subject. 1t is not
probable that any definite action will be
taken until the money needed for this pur-
pose is appropriated by the French assem-
bly,. Whether that will happen this year or
not is one of those matters in regard to the
future of legislation of which it is not easy
to make any definite prediction, either IN
this country or in France. In the mean
time. If the legislative authority of the
French republic should decide to own IN
this city a legation building, the ambassa-
dor will be in a position tos make prompt
and intelligent choice of a location Until
that is done there is nothing settled in the
matter.
In considering the various pieces of
ground that have been offered for purchase
the ambassador is confronted with ques-
ton that is not so very easy to determine
properly, for the reason that it hinges
mainly on the progress of the future growth
of the city. IT is not difficult now to
1ect a site that is convenient and ac-
cessible for legation purposes but the prac-
teal point with the representative of France
is whether such a location would retain
these characteristics under the changes
which this city is sure TO undergo in the
next twenty or so years.
pal resident section of the city a. the end
OF such a period. and what will be the char
acter of the localities whichtare now looked
upon as choice places for handsome homes?
The raising of such queries is recognition
of the fact of the growth and the Develop
mcnt of the city, and certainly those who
have studied its past will recognize the
practical wisdom of taking such factors
into account.
Handsome business buildings.
additions to the number of the commercial
structures of the city hasso far progressed
that the scaffo!ding, which has up to this
time obscured the view OF the fronts of the
new building for the Riggs National Bank
OH Pennsylvania avenue west of 10Th street,
and that for the Union Storage and Trust
Company, T street west of 18th street. has
been taken down. From an architectural
point of view both of these structures are
satisfactory, and it can be said the designs
show evidences of having been carefully
thought out by trained minds. This latter
circumstance is worthy of commentator,
not because 1t is unusual in buildings erect
ed here. for the facts are quite the re-
verse, but for the evidence which it affords
of the intention of the projectors of the
improvements to have bones which will
not only be suitable for their purposes, but
at the time be credit and orna-
ment to the city.
No provision is made in either building
business of the respective corporations
calls for, and in each case the struc-
lures are practically one large room, well
lighted and well ventilated. with such con-
veniences and facilities; as the peculiar
needs MAJ demand. The special nature of
the business to be carried on, should be
the case, is indicated by the character OF
the architecture as well as by the con-
structiOn, and the SOLID and substantial
walls convey the idea Of the purpose of
the buildings as truly as written words.
The Use of Ornament.
There is nothing inconsistene In the intro
duction Of ornamentation with this general
effect In the case of the Riggs Bank build
Ing which is the larger of the two and is
perhaps the roomiest structure Of the kind
in the city, good example is given of the
jLdicious employment Of decorative fea-
lures.
The two great Ionic pillars that support
the entabature of the porch are at each
SIDE OF the main entrance, which is through
a doorway, the sides of which show, carved
on the granite, the graceful forms of the
Greek fret. Above is the great window
opening screened by grille. Carved deco
ration finishes each end of the cornice.
upon the surface Of which appears the name
of the bank
The most striking part of the ornamental
ton IS found in the tympanum where the
central feature is a granite eagle with con-
NsHl!oIdl ueSlSuS IN carved WORK Oh edSH
side filling completely the entire space.
solid parapet follows the line of the pedi-
ment, instead of sinking into 1t. as usual
in classical forms. At the apex of the
pediment the parapet is crowned with
square stone, above which rises the flag
staff.
Substantial Construction
BY this device the glass roof or skylisht
is concealed from those having front view
OF the building. The side walls, which are
of brick, are unusually heavy and are laid
in cement, so that this feature Of the con-
struction and other details make it the
most substantially built building in the city,
Granite is also the material used in The
front Of the trust company's building. The
projecting cornice is crowned by solid
parapet, which gives to the sky line an i'm
preston Of sturdiness. Below the cornice.
which Is ornamented. by dental course
and by egg and dart moldlng. Is panel
bearing the name Of the company. with
carved design at each end. The great triple
window below, which occupies most of the
space Of the front, is filed with grille.
On level with the street Is the entrance.
low and marked by an architrave Of har-
monzing proportions and style. The main
entrance is flanked by two windows. high
up, so as to enhance the appearance OF Sc
curity given to the building. The structure
Is much admired and is looked upon as
great ornament to that part Of the business
section of the city. It was designed by
MARSH " refer, arcnlteCtS, u tIllS Guy.
Sales of Real Estate.
The property at the northeast corner Of
Vermont avenue and L street has been
sold by Stone G. Fairfax, real estate bro
kers, in connection with Thos. E. Wagga-
man. real estate broker. to Robert L. Long
street. for the Catholic University. The lot
has f1at-iron shape, with the wide mar
row front on Vermont avenue and forty
feet on L street.
The same firm has also sold for the
Catholic University lot at the northeast
corner of 18th and N streets, 25x76 feet,
to Charles Dismer. The latter expects to
erect house there for his own use. The
firm has also sold to Dr. II. L. e. johnson
house 1921 Jefferson place, which will be
the home Of the purchaser. It has sold to
8. A. Drury house No. 1713 8 street for
$4,000: to- Jerome Wise house No. 1928
10th street. for. $11 Coo and to Roy Pipes
house 916 T street. for 5000; also to DR..
W. C. uph9m. house 1907 Columbia road,
for $500. and to D. n. Ferrell. q lot Is feet
front. on Huntington place. Columbia
Heights, for 1850.
Proposed Apartment House.
! II plans now bsin9 feemed are carried out
an apartmsnss Acnae OF largo dimensions
win In the near future - built on . prom