Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-05
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Public Money for Land and
Buildings.
MARKET IMPROVEMENT
PROGRESS OF CONSTRUCTION IN
VARIOUS SECTIONS.
Business Conditions Said to Have Been
Better Last Month Than for
Many Years.
MARKET IMPROVEMENT

the purchase OF land and the erection of
buildings In addition to acquiring a site
for a municipal building money was pro-
vided to make beginning in the erection
of the structure. Authority was given fer
the preparation of plans for new build
ing for the National Museum, which is to
be located, it is proposed. in the southern
part of the grounds of the Smithsonian
Institution.
Additional buildings are to be erected for
the Government Hospital for the Insane
while more ground is to be added to the
gun factory, as the old navy yard is now
known, and number of structures are to
be erected which will add to the working
capacity of that important government
work shop A group of buildings is TO be
erected on the grounds of the Washington
barracks at the foot of AZ street, where is
to be located the new college A be-
ginning is to be made in the erection of
buildings for the Standa rdizing bureau en-
the property purchased near Connecticut
avenue extended.
Important Improvements.
In addition it will be possible to make
pletion the sewage system, which will give
to the District a fine modern network of
sewers. A commencement is to be made
in constructing the filtration plant, ground
for which was purchased in the vicinity of
Howard University reservoir. Repairs were
authorized to be made to the Aqueduct
bridge, which will put that important link
between the District and the Virginia side
in safer condition, while the work of
erecting the traffic bridge which is to take
the place of the Long bridge except for
the steam roads, will be begun.
Building in Progress.
There is a good deal of building in prog
ress in different parts of the CITY, and the
men interested in those trades are pretty
well employed. Some large enterprises are
projected or are in progress, but the bulk of
the activity is in the erection of houses and
in the changes and alterations being made
IN business places A beginning has been
made in the erection of apartment house
a Connecticut avenue and L street which
Is to be the largest structure of the sort in
the city. 1t is estimated that Secretary
Hay, who is making the improvement, will
eXpend something like a half million of
dollars in putting up the building.
The work of building the addition to the
New Willard Hotel is also to be begun IN
the near future, probably by the middle of
the month. The furniture in the Fairfax
which now occupies the site, was sold dur
ing the present week, and the demolition of
the present structure begun. This building
is part of the old Willard Hotel which
was left standing when the new MOTEL was
erected.
Important Structures Going Up.
AS is well known, 1t occupies the portion
of the site that fronts, on f street The
new part will have an entrance on F street
and will add considerably to the facilities of
this modern hotel structure.
Progress is being made on the steel frame
office building which is to be erected at the
southwest corner of Pennsylvania avenue
and 18th street. When completed this
structure will be occupied by the War De-
partment.
the establishment of Rauscher's al the cor
ner of Connecticut avenue and l. street are
being torn down to make room for an addi-
ton which Mr. Rauscher intends to erect
from plans prepared by A. H. Campbell
architect business building is to take
the place of the JON Wesley A. NJ r
Church edfice, which is about midway on
the west side of the next block to the north
The course of changes on H street contin-
ues on the lines of advancing business In
short time the McKeever residence. 1908
Fl street is to be transformed into struc-
ture suitable for business uses. Work is
going on in the erection of the two large
buildings which are being built on H street
between 18th and 14th streets for the use
of the medical department of Columbian
University, and for an addition to the ITni
versity Hospital.
The office building which is being erected
by Mr. Henry A. Willard on 18th street be-
tween Pennsylvania avenue and street
is progressing toward completion.
An Apartment House.
Three frame buildings on the north side
of Massachusetts avenue between 4th and
9Th streets are being removed and the
ground is being cleared preparatory to the
erection of an apartment house. which has
been designed for Mr.. o. L. Bliss. It will
occupy the entire frontage, which is some
ftyv foot n,,1 will rf-1
four stories.
Pennsylvania Avenue Buildings.
Perhaps the most notable new work in
progress in property along Pennsylvania
avenue is in the Vernon building, at
the northeast corner of the avenue and
10th street. This structure, which belongs
to the Traders National Bank. is to be
raised to the height of five stories by the
addition of two stories. Changes are to be
made the first floor so that the entire
space will be used for the banking room
The upper portion of the building is to be
arranged for office purposes.
Mr.. Stilson Hutchins is building a three
story building on the north side of the
avenue between 18th and 18th streets.
Demand for Property.
Mr.. William Corcoran Hill, the real estate
broker, in speaking the other day of the
condition Of the market, said he could not
recall in his business experience a time
when he had done SO much during the
month Of June as he had during the thirty
days just closed. He has rented a large
number of houses ranging In rent from $50
to $50 per month, Notwithstanding the
usual experience is that there is no de-
mand for residences of that character at
this season of the year. Mr.. Hill also
found that there was a good deal of in
ouiry from people who wanted to buy and
his business in that respect has been un
usually heavy for this part of the year.
He believes the outlook for the future is
especially hopeful. and that there will be
an active market this fall
Real Estate Sales.
Moore & Hill. real estate brokers' have