Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-24
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Progress of Building in Va
rious Sections of City.
SOME BIG ENTERPRISES
ADDITIONAL RESIDENCES AND
BUSINESS PLACES PROVIDED.
Prospects for the Coming Season Look
ed Upon as Promising Considerable
Activity-Various Matters.
SOME BIG ENTERPRISES

Building operations are not entirely aban-
ioned in this city, even though the Christ
mas season is here. and what is more I'M
usual the ground is covered with snow. In
fact 1t is seldom in this climate that it Is
necessary on account of the weather to dis
continue all outdoor work and wait for The
spring. With some Interruptions, of course,
when there is a severe spell of weather, it
is possible to go on with building opera
lions during the entire winter season.
1t is not claimed that there is more work
of this sort under way at the present time
than is customary. but there is enough ID
attract attention. especially among those
who like to get as early an idea as pos
sible of the prospects for the coming sea-
son. Some people are inclined to think
from the present condition of the building
market that the outlook for the next season
is a promising one. Others, however, lean
to the opinion that it is too early in the
year to form any correct conception of
what is likely to happen in the line OF
building business during the next season.
l. is believed. however. that from the gem
eral conditions that the outlook is very
favorable and that owing to the demand for
houses. both for rent and for sale, it is
probable numerous additions will be made
Large Building Operations.
At the present time there is good deal
OF building going on in the southeast
ern portion of the city. Wright & Hop
kins are completing five two-story houses
on 18th street between B and streets
southeast. while the ground has just been
broken for the erection of seven two-story
houses. which Wright & French propose to
m CT hot Mass pphi tty
avenue and b street southeast.
The latter firm has erected some twenty
five houses during the past three years
in the vicinity of Lincoln Park. Extensive
operations in this line are now being car
ried on by Mr.. Pickford in the same gen
eral vicinity. The latter is improving large
frontages on Pennsylvania avenue east.
Another line of improvements in this 10
cality Is what is being done by Osterman
and Butler They are now completing ten
two-story fiat houses surrounding the
southeast corner of I'd and E streets SOUTH
east. and have just begun the building OF
a three-story fiat which will occupy the
corner space of the ground. This build
ing will have a depth of one hundred feet,
and there will be two suites of rooms On
each floor.
A Row of Sixteen Houses.
The same firm expects in the course of
the next ten days to begin a large build
ing enterprise. which will result in the
erection of sixteen houses. They are to be
located on yelling place between 14th and
18th streets. Columbia Heights. Each
house will be three stories in height and
the fronts will be built of red select brick
with stone of light shade for the TRIM
mings The roof will be high pitched and
will be covered with red tile. On the first
floor will be a parlor. reception hail. dining
room and kitchen, while there will be four
bed rooms on the second floor and two ON
the third.
Sale of Property.
John o. Johnson has sold to John c. Fay
the Dupont apartment house. at the south
east corner of p and Hopkins streets north
west. The consideration was $4,000. The
building is four stories in height and con-
tans seven suites of apartments.
Mr.. Fay has sold to Mary E. johnson the
dwelling at the southwest corner of 18th
and streets northwest for $4,000. The
dimensions of the lot are 1Sx94 feet.
To Improve Building.
During the past week the District Com
missoners approved a bill for submission
to Congress which provides for an exam
ination of persons intending to follow the
business of builders In the District, and for
the issue of a license to such as receive the
approval of the examining board. 1t is in
tended TO have work that Is done under a
permit issued by the District government
in the hands of men who are officially, at
least, pronounced competent to perform it,
or rather 10 superintend 1T. AS move in
the direction of securing a better class OF
buildings the proposed new law Will prob
ably meet with opposition from no quarter,
as, theoretically. at any rate. every one
favors good, substantial construction.
On this latter point there happens to be
quite wide divergence in practice. il not
in opinion. a divergence that is likely to
continue so long as the cost of building re-
mains the important consideration. In
order to meet the demand to lessen the ex-
pense. materials of all sorts are cheapened,
and they are put together with the view of
saving time and wages. There is good
building and there is also a good deal OF
Indifferent building, and that. too, in spite
of municipal regulation and inspection. 1T
is probable that in framing the law above
alluded TO, the purpose was to add TO the
safeguards which are now thrown about all
construction to secure its stability and Sc
curity.
A Business Building.
gooJ axar,pIa Of tho iisa M ba noIO.