Evening star., 1901-08-10

cured will be 90 by 10 feet. Everything
will be temporary about this structure ex-
cept the walls, which are to be subStan-
TALLY constructed, that when the time
comes to complete the superstructure the
founda tions will be there, strong enough to
hold the additional weight. In the mean
time the congregation will have a plain but
suitable place of worship, and will not be
embarrassed in attempting to do what per-
haps in the later days, when it is more
prosperous, will be comparatively easy to
accomplish.
Big Fireproof Storage Building.
That portion of the business section of
the city comprising the block on E street
between 9th and 10th streets northwest is
being improved in fashion that indicates
a notable change. About the middle of the
block on the south side of the street is the
site of the proposed structure which, when
finished will be the home of the Mer-
chants Transfer and Storage Company,
which is the new name of the concern that
is well known in business circles as the
Merchants Parcel Delivery Company.
The ground has just been cleared and the
foundations are being dug so that a view
can be obtained of the entire site from the
E street frontage to the alley in the rear,
distance of nearly two hundred feet. In
addition to the generous frontage on E
street, the lot widens out in the rear so
that the portion extending to the alley is
more than double that which fronts on the
street. With such a spacious ground area,
thus furnishing a substantial basis. the
new structure is to rise to the height of
eight stories.
Safety and Utility.
The Geo. A. Fuller Company, which is
now engaged in putting the finishing
touches the new Willard Hotel, has the
contract for this new storage structure
and is going to make it entirely freproof,
and SO thoroughly have the details of the
plans been worked out in order to accom-
plish all that modern precaution can sug-
geSt, 1t is stated; that an insurance rate has
been secured on the new structure that Is
unusually low. While it is to be a business
building, yet the fact has not been lost
sight of that something is due to appear
ances, and so the architectural design of
the front, while plain, will be pleasing and
effective. The treatment is to be colonial.
Brick and terra Gotta are to be the ma
tertalS used. There are to be white mortar
joints and a straight cornice, while, in keep
ing with the character of the structure,
the aim Of which is to be safety, there will
be but few openings throughout the entire
extent, and these will be a range of win
dows above the main entrance to the roof.
There will be no openings on either side,
and the treatment of these broad spaces
will be handled in such manner to add
to the effect of solidity and of security.
Several old-faShiOned dwellings on the
south side nearer 9th street belonging to
D. A. Sanford are being remodeled and
converted into business buildings.
Favorable Conditions.
The conditions Of the real estate market
are of such a promising character, espe-
cially for this season of the year, that the
prediction is generally heard that business
will be very good during the coming fall
At present, of course. the market Is charac-
terized by the VISUAL summer dullness
There are but few transactions, and it
ha q nh nl nfr
stance If the contrary was the case, for as
every one knows, inactivity is the marked
feature of realty well Of other lines
of business during the warm period of the
year. However, the weather has been
more moderate this year than was the case
last year, and whether as a consequence
of this or for other reasons, business in
various lines has maintained an unusual
volume, so that there has been more do
ing here than is customary during the
summer
Those interested in the building trades
are finding that they have but little leisure.
New houses are going up in all parts of
the District, and additions are being made
TO the number of apartment houses, thus
placing the record of construction, so far
as structures Of this class are concerned,
ahead Of that of any previous year. A
number of residences of the expensive class
are being built while in the business sec
tions many changes are being made in
buildings so as to increase the facilities
needed for an expanding trade. Such prog
ress has been made with building opera
tions that 1t is not expected the effect of
the steel strike, if it should result in check
ing the supply of iron will have material
results here, unless, of course the stop
page in the production should cover an un-
usual period of time.
Progress In Substantial Building,
1t Is matter of interest to know that
iron enters more largely into the construc-
tion of buildings in this District at the
present time than ever before, and while
that is a condition which may be more or
less general in all cities. 1t is being used
here In structures where it is not a neces-
sity, and where it's use is evidently to Sc
cure substantial construction. 1t is thought
that steel is to be more of factor in the
local building market than it has been here
tofore.
Some builders believe that with lower
prices 1t will be used in private houses,
and that before long fireproof residences
or, to put 1t more correctly, residences
where wood is used sparingiy in the con-
struction-win be heard of. In houses of
such a character the staircases will be of
iron or brick or stone, while the floor
beams will be of steel filled in with some
material which will be light and at the
same time inexpensive and incombustible
good deal Of attention Is being paid to
this subject. and experiments are being
made with materials for filing In the spaces