Evening star., 1903-10-10
Predictions Of d an Era of
Building Activity.
EASIER MONEYMARKET
ALL CLASSES OF HOUSES FIND A
READY MARKET.
Season for Renting Furnished Houses
Shows a Favorable Condition and
Good Demand.

The elaborate mode of living possible IN
apartment houses, especially the extent of
space which is sometimes considered neces-
sary for family, is illustrated in the
Highlands, which is just being occupied,
and which is perhaps the most advanced
type of building of that character in use in
this city.
According to the plan of the suites, the
largest is one Of seven rooms. This amount
of space was not enough for several of the
new tenants, and so partitions have been
removed and two suites thrown together.
Instead of suite of seven rooms, for
ample, there is one of twelve, and the total
rent is s2,Gi0 per year.
Then there 6re suites of ten and eleven
| rooms, and SO on, which only goes to show
that as far as the number of rooms is con-
cerned, the modern apartment house is de-
signed to meet all demands, whether for a
large house or small one The general
idea of structure of this sort, when it was
devised, was to provide homes for people
whose requirements in the way of house
room We're not elaborate. Now, however.
it is adapted apparently to every kind of
patron, from those who want one or two
rooms to the other extreme Of as many
rooms can be found in a private resi-
dence of good size.
Demand for Houses.
1t is safe to say that never before-in
cent years, at any rate-have the house
commoda tions of the city been so nearly
taken up is the case at the present time.
The testimony to that effect comes in from
so many sources that there can be no ques-
ton about the fact. which may be looked
up as established, as much if a CEN
sus of the empty houses had been taken.
Real estate agents, who may be regarded
to some extent as interested witnesses, re-
new their statements that all the houses
they have for rent are practically gone, and
still the demand continues.
The experience of those who are in search
of houses is to the same effect, and there is
talk of increasing the rents. 1t is said this
has been done in some instances already,
and that the process has been going on for
some time in the effort to regain the place
that was lost when during the panic of a
few years ago rents went considerably off.
But Few Empty Houses.
That section of the gas Office which has
to do with the house service finds that the
present time is an exceedingly busy one
in the attempt to keep up with the demand
from those who are occupying houses. Ac-
cording to the records in the gas Office,
which shows pretty well all the houses
in the city, there are few at this time that
are empty. This, the records OF the COM
pany indicate, has not been the case for
years past.
There is no doubt, If other conditions
were favorable, the present time would be
marked by a great deal being done in the
way of new building. AS is well known it
is difficult to get loans for such purpose,
or for any other, not that there is any
scarcity of money IN the local financial
institutions, but owing to the general feel
ing of uncertainty. Bankers are rather
cautious about letting their money go out.
Future of the Market.
Then the labor conditions are by no
means certain and prices of materials are
looked upon as high. so that estimates for
work allow for larger margin of safety
than usual. Hence the cost of any enter
prise of this character is increased, and it
is not surprising in view of all these cir
cumstances that building operations are
sluggish.
1t is not. however, to be supposed that
this state of affairs Is likely to be at all
permanent. A change is looked for, and
there is no doubt that money will begin
to flow In the direction of where a profit
lies. Perhaps by the first of the year
sumed to degree that will bear some
proportion to the need.
Business Changes.
The opening of another real estate Office
In the western part of the city serves to
show the tendency of business in that di-
rection The latest addition to the list of
real estate brokers is Mr.. Frederic May,
who has opened handsomely appointed Of
fees at COG 18th street. Mr.. May repre-
sents the third generation of family which
has been identified with the District. His
grandfather was the president of the Wash
ington Canal Company, which in the early
days connected the Eastern branch and the
Potomac by a waterway through the cen
ter Of the city, the only visible evidence OF
which is James creek.
Mr.. w. Bruce Gray, who was formerly
actively engaged in this city In the prac-
tice of his profession of architecture. has
returned and again established himself
here with offices at 1925 H street.
Demand for Furnished Houses.
The season for renting furnished houses
is fairly under way. and in many cases the
lists of available houses are beginning to
dwindle, which is looked Upon a sign of
the healthy state of the market, especially
when it is observable at such an early
period in the season the present Some
years the season when houses of this sort
are in demand lasts well into November
although there is something being done in
that line at much later date.
Owing to the changes which take place
In what may be termed the resident popula-
tion as well as the growth of the number
of the purely winter residents, the supply
or 1urnlSneQ houses LOT rent Is generally
adequate to meet the demand. OF late
years there has come to be a market for
houses containing spacious rooms suit
able for entertaining on a rather ex-
tensive scale. The dining room of the aver
age house offered for rent is apt to be
spacious apartment. as that place Is the
scene Of the kind of social entertaining for
which the winters in Washington are cele-
brated
Mr.. Saegmueller's Residence.
On the Virginia side of the river. between
Alexandria and Chain Bridge roads. George
Saegmueller is completing very hand
some home, to cost over $4,000. The house
will be fitted with every modern conve-
nience. One Of the features of the house
will be very beautiful little chapel.
Change in Ownership.
The abattoir, near Waterloo, has been
leased to George ]. Botchis Sons Local
men will not be barred from killing there,
through the arrangements with the Messrs.
Botch. The Waterloo droveyard has been
moved within the boundaries OF the abat-
toir property.
Rock Creek Improvement.
The Georgetown Citizens Association is
agitating again and intends to push to a
successful issue, If it takes the whole of
60. ID ho tote