Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-20
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Variety of improvements in
Progress.
ERECTION OF HOUSES
FEATURE OF A NOTABLE PRIVATE
RESIDENCE.
Steel and Terra Gotta Used to Give
Stability and Protection
From Fire.

In his residence at the southwest corner OF
18th and l streets. The house lot includes
the entire frontage of the square lying be-
tween 10Th street and Vermont avenue, and
1t is designed to occupy portion OF the
vacant ground to the west OF the house by
a building which will be used for a picture
gallery. Changes in tie house may also be
made, so that If the entire plan is Carried
out the appearance of the building will be
altered and its attractivenass and facilities
as residence will be much increased.
New Houses in Ingleside
Many improvements are being made in
the region west of Mount Pleasant and east
of Rock creek several new houses going up
in Inglesde. Mr.. Byron S. Adams has just
completed a handsome and comnod Gus
house at the corner of 18th street and
Lowell road; his neighbor, Mr.. Jolly, has
made an attractive improvement In the APP
proach to his house, and MIR. David Moore
has added a very artistic entrance to his
new house. Work has been commenced on
the grading of Grant street from Is h to
10th street and thence to the Lowell road,
which will furnish a new drlVeW from
18th street to the park on an easy gfade
Concrete sidewalks are being laid on Joliet
street and three new houses Will be COM
menced shortly in the Waloridge subdivi-
sion for occupation by the builders.
The Anderson House.
The residence which Is being erected by
Mr.. Larz Anderson on the south side of
Massachusetts avenue between 21st street
and Florida avenue Is nearing completion,
and no doubt will be ready. for use early
in the coming winter. The size Of this
structure as we'll as the large amount of
money that has been spent upon 1t has
naturally made 1t q center Of interest to a
a nrn1hAr Of naODle. 1t IL Il question
whether 1t will ever arouse a great amount
of general interest, for the building gives
but little indication OF the money used In
building II.
Even it's size is not at first apparent. for
the proportions Of the mass are so<weH bal
anced that it does not impress one merely
type OF architecture that's uIaiisr in its
details than the one selectea. IN the treat
ment Of the exterior. 1t eis simply plain
Italian house with walls unornamencad and
Terminating al the roof line with simple
cornice which, following the fashion when
methods of construction were different,
show what are apparently the ends OF the
roof beams.
A Central Feature.
Tho great stretch Of the principal front IL
broken in the center by court, with flank
Ing wings. The wall surfaces Of both the
court and the wings are built Of stone OF a
light shade and without ornanentation,
the exception being the center portion over
the main entrance, whichis thus emphasized
The roof OF the porch is supported on mono
18th columns Of stone extending through
two stories with balustrade of stone The
pediment of the gable at the roof line Is
enriched with carving.
This piece of decoration, slight as II lS,
compared with the great extent of wall
space, wonderfully lightens the effect of the
entire mass and brings about what was evil
IDENTIFY the purpose Of the design to make
he ot,,f oh4,,< fp1, bn
composition would gather. 1t may seem
from this account that something more
elaborate than merely such limited space
devoted to decoration is needed In such a
mass of stone work, for the house extends
along Massachusetts, avenue about 10 feet
and rises to a height of three stories. This
impression gains added force when 1t is re-
called that the court yard Is inclosed with
a high wall of stone, that the main en-
trance is completely hidden from view
from the street. At each end of the lofty
Enclosure are two openings marked by
arches.
A Pleasing Effect.
When such a pile Of stone as forms the
enclosure Of the court Ii brought into
close proximity to the expanse of the
material in the house one might naturally
conclude that the result would be crowd
ed effect. Such. however. Is not the case
and the wall and the two entrances Into
the court yard, as well as the main walls
Of the house, combine to produce har-
monious and pleasing appearance.
In addition the house sets directly on
the building line and has not the sur.
roundings of lawn found in the Townsend
house, almost directly across the street
or in the Walsh house. which is just to the
either and takes its place in point or size
at the head Of the residences in this city.
It lie also we'll built. the floor beams
and joists. unusual features of private
n Sfpa1 md fha
partitions Of terra Gotta.
Costly as Well as Big.
According to the current gossip. it is re-
ported that before the house is finished the |
owner will have spent on It and the extern |
sive stable, which stands to the south. |
nearly 100000. 1t seems incredible that |
house here should cost such a sum. and |
probably the grand total Is somewhat ex- |
aggerated. but at any rate allowing for |
reasonable deductions, the house Is UNI |
doubtely an expensive one and heads the |
list OF Tine homes In this city in this respect |
as well in that of size.
The southern side of the house. which |
opens on the rear yard. is more ornamental |
stretch of wall space is relieved by pilas- |
tiers. In fact. the Idea OF the italian style |
or architecture is adhered to- and the street |
itont receives palmer treatment than |
ton OF the house favors such treatment
as sensible one. for the south exposure
Tor residence in this climate is by all |
Gods the most desirable, and there Is no |
reason beyond that Of mere convention to |
treat the street front for that reason only |
as the principal front Of a house.
the convenience as well as the comfort |
Of arranging the interior plan of a house |
80 as to get the benefit Of the most air and !
light are obvious enough. one would sup
pose, 70 overcome any reluctance which |
people might have because Of mere custom. |
against putting the best rooms in the rear
part OF the house in order that the inmates
might have the daily benefit Of delightful |
exposure which otherwise would be given |
to the inferior rooms. The practise Of |
placing placing the Kitchen in the most eligible
location Tor light and air is one that can |
hardly be commended on the ground Of
common sense.
Mr. Mactier's Residence.
Adjoining the grounds OF the Chevy |
Chase Club and FRONTING on Connecticut |