Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-02-08
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Effect Of Proposed Restriction on
Height Of Buildings.
LARGE ENTERPRISES In PROSPECT
Locations and Land Values OF
Business Property.
NJ ALTERS OF INTEREST

by which a block of ground at the south
west corner of Pennsylvania avenue and
18th street was transferred by the owners
to Gen Arson Mills Some time ago the
close of the negotiations for the purchase
of this property was announced, as we'll as
the purpose of the new owner to erect there
a nine-story steel frame building. When
the papers came to be placed on record an
additional piece of information was given
in naming the consideration for the prop
erty, which was $105,00O. The latter is of
interest, as it tends to throw some light on
property values in that locality, where
transactions are not common.
The Importance of this transaction in this
particular IS lessened by the fact that the
property happens to be of rather exceptional
character, inasmuch as it has frontages on
three streets, is compact and susceptible of
economical Improvement. With q frontage
of 81 feet on the avenueand So feet on 18th
street, it widens out to 100 feet on street.
The total area is 7,S47 square feet and the
price paid per square foot was $13.30.
Height OF Buildings.
The proposition to erect this building has
aroused the attention of the District com
mittee of the Senate and has led to a dis
cussion of the question of further reduction
in the height of buildings as allowed by the
regulations. AT present structures in the
residence sections are limited to 90 feet
While in business sections the height is reg
ulated by the width of the street on which
they front, except in the case of unusually
wide avenues, when the limit is fixed at 100
feet.
This change In the building rules which
was made about three years ago, met with
but little opposition from the citizens and
property holders, although there were some
whose building enterprises were curtailed
N nysIC n hri,
within the limits fixed by the regulations.
Objections were, of course, made to this
modification of the regulations, but as they
came from comparatively few the protests
were not effective.
Standpoint of Citizens.
Some Of the business men and property
holders regard with apprehension this pro-
posal to change the building laws so as to
limit the height of structures, especially in
the vicinity of public buildings, to the
height of those buildings, and the further
intimation of a possible adoption of a uni
form rule limiting the upward tendency of
buildings to 20 feet in the residence sec
ton and 100 feet in the business localities
1t is the opinion of some who look at this
matter from the standpoint of citizens that
regard ought to be had for the business in
terests of the city, and that Congress, in at
tempting to promote the attractive features
of the city ought not to forget that after
District of Columbia as well as in other
places, and that the conditions ought not
to be mace any harder here than they are
already.
can be gathered from the statement that
owing to the suspension by the District
Commissioners of the issue Of permits for
tall buildings, pending action by Congress,
operations at least in four cases have
been stopped. This course was taken by
the Commissioners only during the past
week, and no doubt there are other enter
prises which are not made public but
which would have matured later on in the
season.
Justice to All Concerned.
1t Is argued that not only would the en-
forcement of an nelastic rule of the kind
proposed work great hardship and loss on
property owners, but would affect the gen.
eral welfare of the city, in lessening the
amount of building that would otherwise
be done here during the coming season.
1t is believed that interests of the gov
eminent and of the citizens can be guarded
i'll this particular by not making regulations
relative to tall buildings either drastic in
character or generally applicable. There
should be left, in such cases. to the Com
missioners or some other competent author
ity-possibly commisson-wide discretion
airy authority in the issue of permits of this
kind, so that each individual case can be
decided after full consideration given to
the rights and interests both Of the govern
ment and Of the citizens
Gen. Diapers Ball Room,
The work of making a notable addition to
the already spacious residence Of General
w. +. Draper at the northeast corner Of
Connecticut avenue and X street, was be-
sun during the past week. The section OF
the building at the rear which has been in
use as ball room or picture gallery has
been taken down. In its place will arise
from plans prepared by l.. Norris, archi-
tect, somewhat similar structure, but
much larger. A portion of the main build
ing is to be removed and the new part will
extend out to the north line Of the lot and
toward the building line on Connecticut
avenue, so that 1t will have even 'front.'
age with the rest of the house. There will
be basement room, but the main part of
the new section will be devoted to the ball
room, which will be handsome and spa
cious apartment with lofty ceiling The
material and design of the new part will
correspond with the present building.
Large Business Building.
structure Of unusual dimensions Is to
be erected at the northeast corner Of 28th
and streets northwest, from plans pre-
pared by Appleton p Clark, architect. The
Improvement is to be made by c. Heurich
and the new building will be used by Lit
tlefeld & Alvord for general storage pur-
poses. 1t will have q frontage Of 1SS feet
on 26th street and 1853 feet on E street and
will be two stories in height Along the
fronts will be series of arches which
will include the openings Of both stories,
those on the first floor being either drive
ways or windows
Admiral Weaver's Residence.
Rear Admiral A. W. Weaver has had
plans prepared by B. Stanley Simmons,
architect, for picturesque and comfort
able summer home, which is now being
erected in Alexandria county, Va. The
house will occupy a commanding position.
overlooking the whole of the city and the
Potomac river. and will be surrounded bv
large verandas. wide central hall viii
occupy the center of the building with
principal rooms arranged at either side and
with kitchen and pantries at the extreme
rear. The upper floor will be deyoted 70
large bed rooms. with servants Quarters In
the attic. There will be a cellar under tba
entire house. The building will be trimmad
with natural woods, and will be heated bv
furnace.
Property Sold.
Stone & Fairfax, real estate brokers 70
port having made the following sales.
House 174O LIST street. for George Moore
for 5000; to Mrs. Rebecca Rothschild.
house ZIG street. for $500; for the Wash