Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-14
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Attention Paid to Expanding
Financial Interests.
INQUIRIES FOR HOUSES
LARGE APARTMENT HOUSE EN-
TERPRISES UNDER WAY.
Public and Private Buildings to Be
Erected Requiring Big Ex-
penditure of Money.
INQUIRIES FOR HOUSES


The prospect of additional financial insti-
tention to the development during the past
few years of this phase of the business OF
the city. AS far as the wealth of the COM
munity can be said to be represented by the
money on deposit in local financial institu-
notable accession within>the past few years.
The records show that in that time the de-
posts with the trust companies alone have
more than doubled. The money held by the
national banks has also grown in volume
In other words, the banking capital Of the
city has increased to a degree that at
tracts attention and has led to the consider
alton Of several plans to form new con-
Germs. 1t is evident there is an idea that
money is to be made in this line Of business
as well as well-grounded belief there Is
room here for additional facilities of this
sort. To large extent the money that
forms the deposits in local institutions Is
used in this city, and the business of
growing community finds in these circum-
stances substantial evidence of expansion.
A Modern City.
1t is quite certain, therefore, that activity
which has found expression during the past
year in building enterprises forms only
part Of the business interests Of this COM
munity. In all departments the city Is
growing. 1t is said that Washington is now
an important social center. and while that
has been claimed for 1t some years past,
and on this account will hardly strike the
average person as piece Of Information,
what is probably meant in the modern use
of the phrase social center is that people
who have the leisure and the money are
making their homes in this city in larger
numbers than ever before.
These people do not merely come for a
few days or weeks, but either own their
he mes here or rent establishments and be-
come permanent residents of the city for
the winter 1t is also a notable fact that
Washington Is generally recognized as hav-
ing first-cass hotels-not one, merely, but
several that compare favorab,y with the
best establishments Of the kind in. the
country. That is not least Of the attrac-
tions which bring people here.
Inquiries for Houses.
Real estate dealers are receiving a good
many Inquiries from those who want ample
building sites where they can erect houses
for their own use. Then, again, there are
.hose~who are willing to buy a house il
one can be found that will be at all suit
able. The number of inquiries of this sort
forms a rather unusual experience in the
offices of brokers at this season Of the
year. 1t affords cheerful outlook for the
coming season, as well as the prospect for
business Immediately at hand.
These Inquiries cover wide range and
practically include all classes Of home
owners The idea If such exists that only
persons Of large means become the owners
OF homes in this city Is not at all based
fa at- tc ho N 1y frr1n
that there are more people who buy
houses for less than $4,000 than of any
other class. The accessions to the popu-
lation from this source are largely per-
sons of moderate means who find Washing
ton a suitable place for them and their
families and so they come here, buy a
modest house and become permanent resi-
dents The fact is not heralded abroad, and
so while this process; Is going on steadily
it is not generally realized how many
people come to this city each year to live.
Large Apartment Houses.
The work of erecting the large apartment
house which is to be located on Ontario
avenue, Lanier Heights, on the west side
of Columbia road and north of Cincinnati
street. has been begun. This is to be one
of the largest structures of the kind in the
city, SO far as the area covered is con-
cerned. At present it is the purpose to
build only about one-half of the structure,
which has been planned by James G. Hill,
architect.
The frontage of the section that is now
going up will be about 100 feet. To the
south of this proposed building the land
bounded by Adams Mill road, Kansas and
Ontario avenues has been recently SUBJ
divided by Donald Mcpherson into fifty
three lots, which are eighteen feet front.
Still further to the south, at the corner of
Columbia road and Mintwood place. an
apartment house is to be put up from plans
prepared by T. F. Schneider
Millions in Stone and Brick.
By an amendment to the sundry civil bill
which passed the House during the past
week the extension of the east front of the
Capitol building is to be undertaken and a
site is to be secured in the vicinity for a
large structure to be used as offices by the
members of the House. The entire proposed
outlay aggregates six millions of dollars
OF course, it goes without saying that this
large sum of money cannot be spent In one
year, but 1t is probable that a beginning
will be made during the present year in
carrying out this great enterprise.
1t also seems probable that the bill pro-
viding for a union steam railroad depot in
this city will be enacted into a law at the
present session of Congress. If that is done
then start will be made in an expenditure
which it is estimated will reach ten millions
of dollars. There Is to be a new building
erected here for the use of the Agricultural
Department at a cost Of about million and
a half. The carrying ou~ of the plan for the
building Of the structures at the Washing
ton arsenal for the use of the War College
also involves a large amount of money.
Then the standardizing bureau is to have
some funds for putting up additional build
ings.
Some Extensive Plans.
The authorities OF the Soldiers Home
have decided to enter this year upon a plan
of improvements at the home which will re-
qIire nearly three-quarters of a million Of
dollars to carry out Three large buildings
are to be erected, namely, an administra ton
building, an addition to the hospital and
new mess hall. The latter structure is to be
erected Immediately to the north Of the
main building Of the home, and Is to be
some two hundred feet long and three
stories in height. Architects have been in
vited to furnish plans for the mess hail.
In addition to these extensive undertake
ings a building is to be erected by the
Daughters of the American Revolution. The
Masons and Elks have plans for providing
homes for these organizations, while there
is discussion of the feasibility OF putting UP
a large building for public gatherings Of all
kinds.