Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-28
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Change of a Residence to
Business Locality.
A SPACIOUS HOME
RAPID METHODS IN MAKING
WHITE HOUSE IMPROVEMENTS.
Some of the Current Transactions
Variety of Architecture in Houses
Built in Rows.

Built in Rows.
During the past week the sale of another
piece of property on New York avenue be-
tween 18th ard 14th streets was reported
The purpose of the purchase was stated to
be the turning of the building into a bust
ness structure. AS noted from time to time
in The Star this process has been going on
with some rapidity in that particular
square, and is attributed in part to the
movement around the corner on 14th street
by which the structures on that thorough
fare are being more and more devoted to
business uses. About a year ago the trans
formation of the block on New York ave
nue. began.
At that time Mr.. Hugh Reilly bought the
property known as 1884 New York avenue
and turned the building into a structure
suitable for his business He paid about
$4,000 for it. little later Mr.. Thomas
Hyde purchased the property known as No
1888 and made extensive improvements and
alterations. The price paid was $4,000 A
few months ago Mr.. James NJ Green
bought No. 1896, which he has turned into
an office building. He paid for the prop
erty S2j,500 The transaction made during
the week involved the transfer of 1892 New
YORK avenue for $4,000. In both of the
laSt-named instances the buildings were Of
a substantial character, and their value en-
tered somewhat into the consideration
Wlthln the past twelve months large
section of that block which was exclusively
occupied by residences has been transform ed
into a business locality The process has
been rapid one even for this city, where
the modern changes have taken place with
noteworthy rapidity.
A Spacious Home.
A house of attractive type has been de-
signed by Waddy B. Wood architect. for
Mr.. John w. Hunt of California, who re-
Gently purchased large building site in
this city with the view of making his home
here. The location is especially desirable,
as it is on the crest of the hill at the south
east corner of Connecticut avenue extended
and Wyoming a,enul. The former thor
oughfare has just been widened to its full
width at this point in conformity with the
plan of our street extension, and following
this change will come the erection of the
flne house which has been planned for Mr.
Hunt. Across the street Is the spacious
home of Mr. S. w. Woodward and like it
the new house will have ample grounds
portions.
The ground acquired by Mr.. Hunt has
frontages on the two streets of $50 feet. 1t
Is not the intention. however, to cover the
x, q
are to be reserved. In this setting of green
grass with the wide parking. which is COM
mon in that locality, and the surrounding
trees, the design seems especially appro-
pirate. as 1t is Spanish in tone. The gem
eral effect Of the house will be broad and
roomy, with ample verandas. The two
stories will be surmounted by an attic fin
ished by a red tile roof, with deep over
hanging caves.
On the adjoining property on the east 1t
Is the intention Of Mr.. Wood to erect a
house for his own use.
Rapid Construction.
The Improvements that are being made
in the White House and the erection Of an
office building for the President to the west
Of the mansion affords an admirable Illus
tration Of what is meant by hustle in build
ing work. A great swarm Of workmen is
busily engaged. Not only is the interior of
the White House nearly taken down and
hauled away, but considerable progress has
been made with the beginning of the con-
struction Of the office building. The exca-
walton for the foundations are begun, and
before the general public realizes that such
work is In progress the new building will be
in a forward state.
1t Is expected to have the new structure
ready for the clerical force In about four
months. SO that by the end Of October the
building will be available. A frame build
ing has been erected on the street between
the White House and the State. War and
Navy building, and the limited space is lit
orally filled with corps of draughtsmen,
hard at work on the details Of the plans for
the reconstruction Of the White House and
for the new building. The plans are pre-
pared by McKim, Mead & White archi-
tects. Of New York city, but the work Is in
charge Of Mr.. Glenn Brown, architect, Of
this city.
Some Of the Changes.
The appropriation available for the i'm
in the White House amounts to
SAFE, 900. and in addition money has been
provided for the office building. While this
seems to be large sum Of money to ex-
pend in mere improvements In a building,
1t is intended to cover the entire expendi-
ture for decoration and refurnishing as we'll
as remodeling, and 1t is believed that the
fund is none too large. While the exterior
walls of the house are not to be touched
and the interior arrangement Is not to be
changed except In instances where devia-
lions have been made from the original
plans still 1t Is proposed to fire proof the
entire first floor and the ceiling Of the east
room. Iron beams are to take the place of
the wooden joists and the spaces between
will be SPAWNED by brick arches.
The entire floor OF the entrance vestibule
as well as the floor of the hall or corridor
extending in front Of the tier of rooms on
the south Of the building, will be of stone.
The principal change In the interior will be
the taking away of the staircase at the
west end Of the corridor and throwing that
space into the state dining room. thus CIV
ing a much-needed addition to that room.
There will be doors opening from the corri-
dor into the state dining room, just as they
are from the corridor into the east room.
A Staircase of Stone.
The staircase that gave access to the
Presidents Office will be the only one be-
tween the two floors, while the stairway
into the basement will be transformed into
wide and generous flight built of stone
1t will be by this latter approach that the
guests at all public functions will reach the
main floor The approach to the public en-
trance Of the White House, which will be
on the east, will be along the colonnade
which will mark the range of what were