Evening star., 1901-07-20
BIots on the Landscape.


front In this particular case the device is
a saving of space, one entrance and
staircase hall is used for two houses
BIOts on the Landscape.
The increase in the number as well as in
the size of apartment houses in this city
has been a remarkable phase of the build
ing activity of the present season. These
structures are now pretty we'll scattered
over the city, and when one takes view
from an elevated place they vie with the
commercial buildings in being the conspic
uous features of the landscape. 1t Is nat
uraI that critical eyes have noticed the
changes which have taken place, and cspe-
cially If they are not along the line OF i'm
provement.
From this class comes a protest against
the ugliness of the structures that are
placed on these tall buildings to complete
the elevator shaft. 1t is claimed that no
attempt is made to treat this portion as an
architectural part of the building.
Such a structure, as a rule, forms no part
of the facade, and is therefore not seen by
one who stands in the immediate vicinity.
At a little distance, however, the entire
building looms up. and these dry goods box
affairs perched upon the roof break in
harshly on the sky line and Giminishes the
thought this portion of the building should
receive careful treatment, equally with
other portions. so that the completed Struc-
ture may have harmonious whole.
Raw Brick Walls.
Those who live on the ridge of ground
Immediately overlooking the capital find
that since the city has come up to the
heights which form the edge of the bowl
in which the old part of Washington lies
the view is no longer what it was when the
city was still some distance away. At pr es-
ent near view is much like overlooking a
brick yard. for the reason that the side
and rear walls of buildings present a sur
face of rough brick, with no attempt at
artistic treatment. Now that the tall
structures are growing in number, and the
fashion still prevails with architects or
perhaps owners, of considering that only
the front of the building is exposed, the
great expanse of the side and rear walls
has nothing to relieve the utter ugliness of
the monotonous masses of raw brick.
For business Purposes.
The two houses known as 1924 and 1926
Connecticut avenue, between L and NJ
streets are being remodeled under the di-
rection of Gasch Brothers, real estate brok-
ers. When the changes have been COM
pleted the structures will be adapted for
business purposes and also for apartments.
The lower floor will be fitted up for use
as stores, while the upper stories will be
used for living places. When this change
is completed there will be left only four
houses on that side of the block which are
still in use as family residences. This
gives some idea of the progress that is be-
ing made in Transforming that section of
Connecticut avenue into a business street
Senator Clark. through his agent in this
city, ]. Augustus Taylor, has leased, with
the privilege of buying, a stable in the
square bounded by 10Th, Goth, l. and NJ
streets northwest.
Suburban Development.
The experience of Mr.. Robert I. Fleming
affords an illustration of the progress of
the city. Some ten years ago he bought a
country place on the Tenleytown road near
the WoodIey road. which was the no ne of
President Cleveland during his res dence
in this city. He secured this property be-
cause it was out in the country. and he
thought that a home there would benefit
his own health and that of his family. In
this latter respect he has not been disap-
pointed but in talking about the locality
the other day ne said that when he went
out there he had no neighbors, except, of
course. the family occupying the house
that has been in their possession for the
past century. Cleveland Park was then
unborn and there were no houses in the
immediate vicinity. Now, however, he
said, Cleveland Park has become quite a
community and Is still growing, while
houses are Springing up all around him. Mr.
Fleming does not find these changes OBJ
jectionable, but he says that If he wishes
to live out in the country he will, within
the next five years, have to make another
move.
The Farrngut Apartment.
The foundation walls of the Farragut
apartment house, at the northwest corner
of 1Tth and I streets, are nearly completed
and the superstructure has been begun. 1t
Is the purpose of F. H. Duehay. the owner
of this property, and the one who Is max
ing the Improvement to have the building
one of the notable structures Of the city.
For this reason the design as prepared by
F. T. Schneider, architect, is ornamental
as to the details of the exterior and in
clined to the ornate in the decoration of
the interior. The structure is to rise to
the height of eight stories, and will have
the substantial basis which the frontage of
120 feet on 18th street and 7S feet on 1
street will afford Light mottled brick
with limestone and terra Gotta trimmings,
will be used In the exterior walls, and the
principal front, which will be on 18th
street. will be elaborately treated
The central portion will recede from the
building line, forming a court, which will
be covered at the top of the first story.
The entrance hall will have a glass dome,
and will open into spacious lobby, which
will be striking detail of the interior. 1t
will be eighty feet long, and will be elabo-
doors, and with the wallis in high dcora-
tive effects. This will be the central place
of the house From here will sta t the
grand marble staircase, and here there
will be access to the two electric elevators
The upper floors will be divided into suites
no cafe in the house, as housekeeping ia
cilities will be attached to each suite.
Completing Large Building.
Under the direction of Mr.. Schneider.
who made the plans, the erection OF the