Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-10-12
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Buying Of Homes a Feature of the
Market.
SOME BUSINESS MPR0VEhENTS
Demand for Money to Be Used in
Building.
M Ate RS OF TERE L

M ATTER RS OF INTERES II
Work has been begun in the alterations
to the building of the Washington Safe De-
post Company, GIG Pennsylvania avenue,
and when they are completed the structure
will rise to the height of five floors instead
of four. Changes are also to be made in the
front of the building. AS a result of the
improvements some sixty rooms will be
added, to that extent increasing the bust
ness facilities of the company. The changes
are being made under the direction of
Glenn Brown, architect.
Demand From Home Seekers.
An impressive illustration of the demand
for homes is afforded in the experience of
Middaugh & Shannon. Saturday last they
made known through the advertising col
umns of The Star that they had for sale
eight three-story houses on list street be-
tween U and streets northwest The
price was $3.50 each Before half-nast
o'clock Saturday afternoon they had sold
one of the houses and by Tuesday morning
nVe more, and soon after that another
was disposed of. They state that
while their offer was to sell the houses on
terms of 5000 cash and the balance secured
on the property, in no instance was the
cash payment less than $1,0OO and in some
instances 1t amounted to considerably
larger sum.
The success thus achieved by this firm in
building and selling houses is not its first
In that line, and it does not intend it to be
the last. AS stated in The Star several
months ago, this firm bought most of the
unlmproved property in that locality be-
longing to the late John Sherman, and it is
tne intention to at once proceed with the
erection of twenty-five houses. They are
10 be located on North Capitol and Quincy
streets and al the corner of North Capitol
and s streets. This is what is known as
the Bloomingdale region, and it has been
recently the scene Of the most active build
ing operations of any locality in the i'm
mediate vicinity of the city.
The Erection of Houses.
An interesting side light on the chara cter
OF some of the activity in building which
has been such a noticeable feature of the
real estate market during the past year is
afforded by the business that is passing
through the building associations. 1t is
stated by officers connected with these in
situations that the demand for money from
nome builders began early in the present
year, has continued down to the present
Time, and shows no signs of falling off,
The funds obtained from such sources as
is Well known, are based on shares of the
building association and are secured by per-
paying their debts in installments. 1t is
seldom that what are known as specula-
tive builders obtain capital from such a
source and in consequence the active de-
mand for money reported by. the building
associations comes from men who are build
ing homes for their own occupancy.
1t is sometimes supposed by those who
take a rather superficial view of the market
that the houses built nowadays are not
the result of individual effort but are rather
OF the ready-made order 1t is evident that
men In large numbers are still building
their own homes instead of buying those
built by some one else. At the same time,
many prefer to buy rather than to take the
trouble to build, and it is claimed for the
former class of houses that as they are
built in quantities more can be had for the
same money than if expended in an indi-
vldual enterprise. However, there are two
sides to this question, and so 1t happens
that people can suit themselves.
Meeting of Architects.
Last week there was a notable gathering
of architects of the country in Buffalo. in
attendance upon the annual meeting of the
American Institute of Architects Every
other year the institute meets in this city,
where it's headquarters are established.
Charles F McKim of New York. who is
member of the parking commission, was
chosen president, and Mr. Glenn Brown Of
this city was reelected secretary Among
those in attendance from this city were
NJ +
Robert Stead, James Knox Taylor, James
U. Hill, Glenn Brown and Theodore Laist
Action was taken which IL enacted irto
law by Congress will materially widen the
scope of the Tarsney law. Under that law
the discretion is conferred upon the Sec
rotary of the Treasury to invite archi-
tects not in the government employ to
furnish designs for public buildings to be
constructed for the Treasury Department
Architecture of Public Bnildings.
The working of that law has proved to
be satisfactory to the members of the in
stitute and others under the administration
of Secretary Gage, but if the recommended
tons of the institute are adopted the law
will be mandatory instead of merely dis
cretionary. What is of more Importance,
the law is to apply to all public buildings
and not merely to those for the Treasury
Department. 1t is further advised that all
work OF this sort be placed under the di-
rect1on OF supervising architect or of a
bureau to act as the representative of the
government, much as the individual rep
resents his own interest in all construc-
ton that he authorizes.
Another resolution adopted is aimed to
cure what is regarded as an evil which
has sprung up of recent years, or since the
multiplication of large and elaborate
business buildings. In addition to the
questions of construction and designing
which an architect is trained to meet and
for which he receives compensation, 1t is
now FOUND necessary to secure the SER
vices of experts for the heating, ventilat-
ing, electric and mechanical appliances
No provision has heretofore been made in
the schedule of fees for the compensation
of such experts, and in consequence the
regular fees of the architects have suffered
According to the rule just adopted, own
ers will hereafter be required to pay the
cost of such services.
Mrs. Grifin's Residence.
An attractive house is being built by
Mrs. Eleanor H. Griffin on the east side OF
the Tenleytown road just north of the
Woodley Lane road The plans, which have
been made by Marsh & Peter, architects
provide for a large and roomy residence
of the colonial type of architecture. There
will be wide porch at the front entrance
and the sides, covered with clapboards
and will be finished with a high shingled
roof. Provision will be made on the first
floor for a parlor, library hall, dining
room and kitchen. The dining room hall
and a staircase will be finished with hard
wood and the balance of the wood in the
house win have the ivory white finish. On
the second floor will be five bed rooms and
there will be spacious attic.
Proposed New Church Building.
1t is expected that the plans of the con-
gregation of the Central NJ. P. Church In