Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-03-29
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Erection Of Large Modern Of
flee Buildings:
OLD NEWSPAPER ROW
PROGRESS MADE IN IMPROVE
MENTs OF VARIOUS KINDS.
Interest Manifested in Property as an
vestment-Records Of
the Week.

Following the preparations that are be-
ing made to erect at the northwest corner
of 18th and G streets a fine modern office
building comes the announcement from
Mr.. Henry A. Willard Of his intention to
build at 515 14th street a structure that
will be planned for similar use. In adj
dition to the prominence of the location of
the building to be erected by Mr.. Willard,
there is another reason why this contem-
plated Improvement will be one of unusual
public interest and value. 1t is understood
to be the purpose of Mr.. Willard, who is
one of the large property owners of the
city as we'll as being identified with va
rious other interests, to have the new
structure assume somewhat Of a monu-
mental character.
1t will probably be known as the Willard
building, and for this reason, among 9TH
ers. he intends to make it as substantial
and durable as is possible in modern con-
struction. 1t will on this account cost
more than would otherwise be the case.
AS far possible it is the intention of Mr..
Willard to have the new structure repre-
sent the highest type of the modern build
ing, both in the materials used, in the ar
rangement of the interior and in the fit
tings.
Eight Stories High.
According to the sketch plans prepared
by James G. Hill, architect, 1t will rise to
the height of eight stories and will cover
the entire frontage of forty-nine feet There
Is another reason why Mr.. Willard is espe-
c!ally interested in this property. Some
time in the early sixties he made his home
there. and he spent many years before go
ing further north and erecting his fine
home K street.
The building is q rather plain structure
and seems to be quite small, as it comes in
contrast with the walls of the Ebbitt, which
adjoins it on the north, while across the
street is the New Willard. In spite of its
rather obscure appearance of today the
building first mentioned has been a no.
table structure, for after Mr.. Willard gave
it up as his home it became one of the
busiest centers in Newspaper Row, as the
block between Pennsylvania avenue and F
street was known for many years. The
list of men who did work for the newspa-
pers of the country and who had their Of
fees in this building would be the roll to
a large extent of the Washington CORE
sDondents.
Interest in Business Property.
The change which will be made by the
substitution of an Office building for the
Foundry Church edifice seems to be regard
ed as likely to be Of somewhat radical
character in that particular section. Since
the project of Mr.. Walsh has been assured
property owners in that immediate locality
have received a good many inquiries. But
few actual transactions have, however, re-
suited AS is already stated in The Star,
Mr.. Walsh purchased an additional piece on
14th street, which he proposes to add to
the Foundry Church site, and then the ad-
joining piece has been bought by Mr.. James
NJ Johnson as an investment. 1t Is stated
on behalf of Mr.. Walsh that he has no in
tention of further enlarging. his holdings
in that locality, and that the ground he
now has he considers ample for the pro-
posed building.
The inquiry in regard to prices has ex-
tended as far north as New York avenue,
where already, as heretofore noted in The
Star, changes have been begun to trans
form the residences, especially those on the
south side just east of 18th street, into
business places. Mr.. Thomas Hyde has re-
Gently become the owner of piece of prop
erty in that block which he has changed
into business place, and Mr.. James NJ.
Green, who sold his property on 14th street
| to Mr. Walsh, has also bought on this
block and intends to transform the old resi-
dence into a business building.
G Street Holdings.
| 1t is noted that there is revival of In
| terest in G street property, but thus far
no actual transaction has been recorded
| Mr.. James B. Winner, in connection with
Mr.. Charles Early, has just completed the
negotiations which will result in the trans
| fer of the title of the building known as
| 1920 G street, now used by Mr.. Winner as
| his Office. Mr.. Winner takes in exchange
| for this building other property, but the
consideration in the deal given to this
| building was $4,000. AS there are less thar
| 900 feet in the lot the per foot price was
about $40. The property, however, binds or
| the alley, and in relation to the corner
property is regarded as of some Importance
Effect Of Depot Change.
| Some Indications of the great changes
| which will be wrought in property condi.
| tons by the erection of the union depot ir
| its proposed locality north of Massachu.
| sets avenue. at Delaware avenue, are
| found in the discussions which have already
begun as to the probable effect, In the frs
place, of concentrating the entire tide Of
travel that comes into the city, and, in the
/ second place, of bringing it farther nortl
| than has heretofore been the case. 1t i.
| believed by many that one result will be tt
accelerate the tendency to the northwari
! which is very noticeable in the growth and
development of the city, and has been for &
| number of years past. On this basis plan.
are being discussed for the erection of hote
buildings at the points between New Yorl
avenue and Pennsylvania avenue. One
| apartment house or hotel on G street
while others propose to go still farther
| north. 1t is not believed that in such 6
| movement the older sections of the city viii
be deserted, but that the growth of the city
| and In the extension of it's business add
| tional room will be occupied.
Some New Buildings.
Mr.. s. s. Souder has secured a buiidins
| loan, through Chas. II. Brice, real estat,
broker, for the erection of an apartment
house on Park street near 14th street, Mt
| Pleasant The suites win contain five an,
six rooms each and there will be two suites
| on a floor.
Arrangements have been made by John M
\ Andrews for the erection of eight three
| story houses on the south side of y stree
between 18th and 18th street. On the on
posite side of this block Chas. w. King viii
erect twenty-nine three-story houses.
En1arging an Apartment House.
The Mount Vernon apartment house. a
the southwest corner of New York avenu
and 9th street, Is to be enlarged by tn
| Inclusion of the building adioinipp o,, a.