Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-09
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Building Improvements in
Various Sections.
NEW HOUSES ANDFLATS
SUBURBAN ROADS RECEIVING AT
TENTIoN FROM AUTHORITIES.
Provision Being Made to Meet the De-
mand for Living Accom-
modations.
NEW HOUSES ANDF FLATS

Inc spring weather has sumclently al
vanced to enable the District authorities to
begin the annual work in the Improvement
and repair of the roads in the suburban
section of the District, or, as they are off,
cially termed, the county roads. The past
winter has left fewer of it's traces in the
condition of the roads than might be ex-
pected, especially when it is realized that
the frost penetrated to the unusual depth of
thirty inches. AS the moisture came to the
surface 1t was quickly dried up by the
winds and in consequence the surface of
the roads remain in a remarkably good
condition
The work that has already been begun
and will be prosecuted during the coming
season will result in adding considerably
to the extent Of the macadamized road
ways. Some three-quarters Of mile Of
Nichols avenue, Anacostia, is to be macad-
amized, the material used being the trap
rock which comes from the District quarry
at Dickerson, Nd, and is believed to be OF
better quality of stone than any that has
heretofore been used. Beginning at the top
of Asylum Hill, on Nichols avenue, the new
work will extend south as far as Congress
Heights.
Improving Thoroughfares.
Similar construction will be done on the
Tenleytown road from the Pierce mill road
loIlH dDOul " INSUTdShd AVENUE l. ue DUH
ker Hill road is to be improved in this way
from the Queens Chapel road eastward to
the construction that has already been COM
pleted at that point from Brookland. Three
more squares are to be laid on 18th street,
in Erookland, from the present terminus of
that construction south to Rhode Island
avenue. AS is we'll known 18th street Is
the main thoroughfare through Brookland
and it is expected that at the present ses-
sion of Congress an appropriation will be
provided for matchmaking Rhode Island
avenue, which will give a fine roadway
connecting that center of population with
the city.
This means Of communication via Rhode
Island avenue and 18th street is important
because the Brentwood road has been
closed on account of the steam railroad
changes. In place Of that communication
T street has been opened, but the grade on
that road Is heavy one and on that &C
count the Improvement of Rhode Island
avenue will be great advantage to that
section of the city.
Gravel Roadways.
At present the District authorities are
laying the cutters on Ontario avenue from
Florida to Superior avenue. preparatory to
matchmaking that section Of road. In ad-
dition to the nacadam construction the
District is also making improvements by
crawling some of the thoroughfares At
present a road is being graveled from Ken
eSaW avenue TO the zoo at Inc quarry ROAD.
The grading was completed year ago, and
this will give complete roadway, which
will provide an entrance via Kenesaw ave-
nue. from Mt. Pleasant street or old 10th
street, to the ZOO The work of resurfacing
14th street road from the top of Blagden's
hill to the race track is in progress and it
Is the purpose to continue. this improve<
ment from Brightwood avenue to Takoma-
Enlarging an Office Building.
From the plans prepared by Marsh &
Peter, architects, an addition is being made
to the building formerly occupied by the
West End Bank on G street between 14th
and 18th streets. This property was pur-
chased by Mr.. James w. Corcoran, and as
he owns the Davidson Office building which
adjoins it on the east, the changes which
are to be made will include such as to make
one structure of the two buildings Two
stories are to be added to the height of the
bank building. which will make the total
height five stories.
Additions to the Cairo.
The brick residence adjoining the Cairo
apartn ent house on the east has been pur-
chased by Mr.. I. F. Schneider, the owner
Of the latter property. 1t is Mr.. Schneider's
purpose to remove the house and erect an
extension, which will connect with the pres
ent billiard room of the Cairo. The new
part will be used as dining room. This
will give a room 40 by 100 feet. The dining
room, now on the top story, will be removed
to these new quarters. Mr.. Schneider also
intends to redecorate the first floor of the
building and to make other improvements.
The Cairo, which was built about ten years
ago, before limit was placed upon the
height of structures in this city, is the
rise to a height of IT'S feet and the struc-
ture ranks among the largest of the sort in
the city.
New Hampshire Avenue Apartment
House.
Plans are being prepared by Mr.. T. F.
Schneider architect, for a fire-proof apart
ment to be erected by Mr.. Francis A. Due
hay on the east side of New Hampshire
avenue between r and streets. The new
building will rise to height Of seven sto-
ries and the material used in the construc-
ton will be brick and stone of light
shade. The frontage of the lot is sixty
eight feet. but the building itself Will only
occupy fifty-three feet, leaving a space On
the south side for light and air. The suites
will be of varying size and will contain
from two to six rooms.
Erection of Houses.
Messrs, Wright & French are building
four two-story seven-room dwellings and a
two-story apartment house at the corner
of and 18th streets southeast, adjoining
the block of eight-room houses which they
completed a short time ago. The new
houses will be on the same general plan
as the others, although not quite so large.
They will have concrete cellars with laun-
dry conveniences and furnace heat, parlor,
reception hall and dining room, to be trim
med in western ash; upper floor in Virginia
pine both in hard-oil finish. This is only
one of several building enterprises now I'M
der way in that section of the city, es-
pecially in the immediate vicinity Of
Lincoln Park, which is now being rapidly
built up with first-class residences.
Price Not High Enough.
The sale of the Grant mansion, $3.50 U
street, at 500 900, has fallen through, one
OF the trustees, said to be a brother of the
late Mrs. Joyce, refusing to sanction the
sale of the property at that figure. The
trustee residing in Washington was satisfied
| with the price.
The Grant mansion is owned by the
| daughters of Colonel John A. Joyce, the
! poet 1t was occupied for time by Cen
eral u. S. Grant
A Syndicate's Option.
The McKenney tract, west of Georgetown
| College and bounded by the New Cut and
! Foxall roads and the Great Falls electric