Evening star., 1902-02-01
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Elaborate Apartment House to Be
Erected on Washington Heights.
some IMPORTANT DEALS In REALTY
Question Raised as to Regulations
Relative to Walls.
IMPROV. CON DITION S

The apartment house building which is
to be erected on Washington Heights by a
company of local capitalists organized by
the Weaver Bros, with John r. Weaver
president VII be so constructed and
designed as to be thoroughly up to date
in all particulars The site selected, at the
southwest corner of Connecticut avenue
and California avenue, is not only Spacious
but as it is on the brow of the hill it COM
mands a wide and extended view of the
cjty and the Rock Creek Park With
a frontage of 1GO feet on Connecticut ave-
nue. and 100 on California avenue, and rls-
ing to a height of eight stories, the pro-
posed structure will rank as one of the
largest of the kind in this city. The entire
frame will be of steel and the floors will be
fireproof.
In selecting the material to be used for
the outer walls the architect, A. b. Heaton,
has followed out color scheme which is
in accord with the style of treatment, that
of the Spanish renaissance. Upon founda-
tion of stone of light shade will rest the
superstructure of brick of warm color, the
composition being finished with projecting
caves and a roof covered with red tile. The
color of the brick will shade into deeper
color at the frieZe below. The cornice and
the effect will be completed with the tone
of the roof.
The central feature of the design of the
exterior VIII be on the lawn ana front,
where the main wall will be set back from
the building line q width of fifty feet, thus
forming a court which Will have corre-
spending depth.
Here will be the main entrance. with the
windows of the two sides and the central
portion overlooking the circular driveway
that will form the approach to the door
way. BY this device, which has architectu-
raj merit as well. further advantage is
secured In providing most of the flats in
the building with an outlook to the front
On each of the eight floors will be eight
suites of rooms, six of seven rooms, of
five and one of two.
A special feature will be the decoration of
the interior. Marble is to be used in the
halls and parlOrs. hardwood in the apart
ments. and in addition all the modern de-
vices known in such buildings WI. be sup
piled. The walls of the suites are to be
handsomely decorated There are to be
three elevators. and it is the intention to
give some architectural treatment to the
elevator shafts, whcn will project above
the cornce line. ,lat they will have a
harmonious relation to the general design
of the structure.
The contract ..as been awarded to Rich
ardson & Burgess. 1t is estimated that the
cost of the building ground will be
$4,000.
The January Market.
The conclusion that was reached some
years ago by real estate brokers of expert
ence that January is not apt to be distin-
guished by great activity in the real estate
market is borne out by the record of the
foursweeks just passed. For some reason
whether it is the engrossing duties of social
life or the condition of the weather or
what not, certain it is that people are not
generally concluding deals in realty 1t
sometimes happens there is manifest this
dlsinelinatiOn to buy, and in addition an en-
TIRE lack of interest in the subject
The conditions this year showed marked
Improvement in the latter respect, for in
every real estate office it is remarked that
good many inquiries concerning property
nave been made. 1t is evident that people
are looking at property with view to pur-
chase, as the nature of their inquiries show,
put for causes not explanable rather lin
lted proportion gave to the matter such
consideration as led to a definite conclr-
sion.
An Encouraging Outlook.
1t Is believed that the diffusion of infor-
nation about the properties in the market
will not be lost, but that in the near future
definite offers will be received and also In
some cases property owners will make up
their minds whether or not to accent the
propositions made to them In other
words, 1t is thought the coming months are
10 witness rather good market What the
average dealer would like, however is to
see an active condition at all times Some
large schemes are in contemplation and are
being given serious thought If the d.t,ils
are finally decided there will be a change
IN the ownership of large pieces of prop
likely to follow.
Purchases by the b. and o.
property owners, as well as brokers con-
tinue to manifest interest In tho +rone,
uons in property which come to light
through the deeds placed on record wh,cb
seem TO indicate that the Baltimore, and
ONO railroad Company is still in the mar
het as purchaser of property along the
PROPOSED ~ hne OF the road I'm the northeast-
en- ,t seeIlGn OF me city If the contemplated
hehses IN the plans are carried out and q
union depot is erected north of Massacb,,
sSllS avenue, that Will involve no material
ehanges In the proposed route of the road
TO that point, as outlined In the bill enact
ed at the last session of Congress
however the squares south of Massachu
set1s avenue between Delaware avenue. G
ana Ist streets, which were desired as tho
site of the Baltimore and Ohio denot viii
not De needed, 1T is presumed for railroad
purposes II the pending plan is carried out
Co. - sa, a suo]ect o 1or conjecture. and has been
lor some time. why the railroad people are
gong on buying ground in that section
M Seherai conclusion Is that the series of
purchases In the locality referred to is
merely intended to complete the raiIro.S
hoIulnss OF squares which were aIreadV
largely owned by the railroad comnanv
W men the improvements contemplated by
the pending bill are carried ont accord,ne
10 tnlS theory, 1t is the intention op tho
company to sell these squares While the
ralroad company is not in the real estate
the owner of all these squares, the conci;,
SION mas been reached to acquire the few
pieces remaining.
Question of Construction.
The excavations have all been completed
ior the Franconia apartment house, on 18th
street between 1 and X streets northwest
In making application fer permit the build
er' Arthur Cowsll. requested that on ac
count Of the strong and buttressed manner
OF the south wall, making IL in his opinion
stronger than straight wall permission
pe granted TO make the walls eighteen
ihches thick, with the proyiso that port
land cement be used.
me regulations allow dead ctra,ob.
wan wan OF height not exceeding sixty-five
80 lroin 70 grade to be eighteen inches thick
"hlle IN walls above that height a thjoLnos,
ol twenty-five inches is required In this
case the building showed height of sixtv
nine ieet from grade. and by sinking tba
Dullding In the ground four feet more the
thlnner walls would be allowed This would
not lessen the height of building. b,,t :,
would be less height from grade ana ~