Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-17
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Christmas Holidays Make
Unusual Dizziness inMarket.
SOME SMALL T R A D Els
MR.. THOMAS S. WALSH BUYS
SITE FOR OFFICE BUILDING.
Trading Likely to Be Active in Down
town Business Property -
Across Rock Greek.


past week or so is the purchase by MI
Thomas s. Walsh, who erected the Colorado
building, of the property at the corner OF
Sth and G streets northwest, on whch
there are now standing several old build
ings. 1t is the intention of M Walsh to
erect at an early date handsome modern
office building on the site, building such
as 1t is believed is a necessity in that sec
ton of the city.
Mr. Fairfax of the realty firm of stone
& Fairfax speaks very favorably of the
real estate outlook ITO Star reporter to-
day Mr. Fairfax said. 1T appears to me
that realty trading is coming back TO It's
home ground, SO to speak. Ihat is 10 sdy
that the bulk of trades are now being ar
ranged for in the business or downtown
section. In the very near past numoer
of properties have been traded IN on TN,
9th and 18th streets, and 1t appears 10 me
from what I can learn that there is likely
to be more trading in those sections in the
near future. Especially is the case on
nth street, where number OF trades anu
improvements have been made recently.
With the extension of the 18th street hne
there has been large increase of traffic
down 18th street, and the property on that
street from street up to New YORK ave
nue. will in short while be built up INTO
business houses. This movement mas al
ready commenced and will continue.
Recent Purchases.
Mr.. Bates Warren has purchased from
Joseph E. Willard the lot at the corner or
18th street and Massachusetts avenue on
which he will erect apartment house
early in 1900
Edward ]. Stellwagen has purchased of
Francis G. Newlands part of the prop
erty adjoining his home at Clifbourne Tor
$6,1S675.
Senator Redfeld Proctor has purchased
from Cardinal Gibbons the property l424 X
street northwest through Horatlo y. Taplin,
CARDINAL Gibbons executed the deed in
his capacity as archbishop Of Batsimore;;
title to all the property OF the Roman nan
Catholic Church in the archdiocese The
house was parish bmres o be
were conducted By Mr.. TapIin for Senator
of the church, on behalf of the parish.
The deed provides that possession shall
not be delivered until May and IN TIE
cupy the house for its present purposes.
No decision has yet been made by Rev;
Father Lee as to whether the school will
close in May or get other quarters for the
balance of the scholastic year. In any
event, the pastor stated last night, another
location will be selected by next autumn
Senator Proctor has not decided as to
what use he will put the property.
Department Building.
During the week ground was broken for
the new building for the Department of
Agriculture. The building will cost
81 III 900 and will be of modern arclitec-
tural style. Each of the two buildings will
be 2J6x6S, with wings on each side which
will be 100x63. When completed in two
and half years the buildings will have
frontage of $50 feet on the Mall proper Of
the new parkway scheme. The admins
Ia
between.
Value of Local Realty.
In the report of the assessor of the Dis
trict of Columbia, just published It Is
shown that the total assessed value of real
estate in the District of Columbia, for the
fiscal year of 1885, is s217 COS, 296. This is a
total increase of s4,357 ,S7S over the valua-
ton of 1904
The report shows that the apartment
houses in the city and counties number
175. These are assessed at 81. 100000.
The board of assistant assessors is now
engaged In the preparation of the
suing triennial assessment of realty, upon
which will be based the taxes for the fiscal
years 1906, 1907 and 1908.
Appeals from this assessment will be
heard by the board of equalization and re-
view between the first Monday in January
and the first Monday in June, 1905.
According to the assessor, 6,622 parcels of
chsnged ownership through recorded deeds
and probated wills during the period COW
cred by the report.
The assessors report further shows that
there are IA licensed real estate agents in
the District of Columbia these licenses for
the year aggregating $10,137.57.
With the exception of the licenses that
are collected from wholesale and retail
higher revenue is derived from real estate
licenses than any other licensed business
Improvement Of Rock Creek.
A petition has been prepared and is being
circulated under the direction Of Miss Rit-
tenhouse asking Congress for an appropria-
ton for the improvement of Rock creek.
Contrary to the generally Endorsed plan
as introduced by the Georgetown Citizens
Association. and which has already been
presented to Congress, the signerS of this
petition asked for the open treatment Of the
creek, that is, for the terracing of the
sides and roadway along the banks of
the stream, etc.
General sentiment, however is said to
favor the obliteration of the boundary line
between Georgetown and Washington, thus
com Getting Washington's streets with those
of Georgetown.
Extension Of Prospect Avenue.
The Commissioners have taken official
cognizance of the many requests of the
Georgetown citizens for the extension of
Prospect avenue from its present western
graded terminus at 3Sth street to point
beyond NJ street extended, or the Canal
read. A plan showing the extension. as
prepared by Assistant Engineer Commits
sioner Richard, together with the center
profile, is now in the hands of some George
town citizens. 1t shows that there Is a
rise in the grade from M street extended
to 3Sth street of about fifty feet only. This
is said TO be remarkably easy grade
n n rU IN raj nraf ha ioc3
it will not be necessary for the District of
Columbia to purchase any property for this
extension, as legal records show clearly
that the title to such property as would be
affected by the opening up of the street is
all in the District.
An approximate estimate only has been
submitted by the engineer department OF
the cost of the work. 1t will not be neces-
sary to purchase any property, or TO ask
for any donations of land.
1t is the general impression that Pros