Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-29
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Some Current Conditions of
the Market.
A SPACIOUS INTERIOR
TALL BUILDINGS AND PUBLIC
AND PRIVATE RIGHTS.
Result of the Police Census Confirms
the View of the Growth OF
the Population.

the View of the Growth OF
the Population.
The point Of land or rather where one of
the city blocks comes to a point, and a
blunt one at that is to be the site of a
residence which in some respects will be
rather unusual for this city. The location
Is where Rhode Island avenue meets NJ
street and the open space that thus re-
suits broadens into the wide area of Con-
necticut avenue where Rhode Island ave
nue. ends. on the blunted end of the square
thus formed is to be erected by the Poto-
mac Realty Company, which is represented
by Westcott x Story, house which will
practically occupy the entire area, but will
have broad frontages on three sides.
The interior will be so arranged as to
take advantage of the peculiar conditions
surrounding the property, and the result
will be that the first parlor floor there
will be sweep of rooms which can be
thrown into one. and will make a magnifi-
cent ball room over seventy feet long. The
main entrance of the house will be from
Rhode Island avenue, and will lead into
central hail on the ground floor, with liv
ing room on one side and a dining room
basement BY means of circular stairway
in the hall access will be had to the floor
above. whore there will be rooms opening
into each other. on the upper floors will
be the sleeping apartments.
The erection of this house will complete
the Improvement of that frontage of the
square. Just to the east on the same side
of the block are two residences which were
erected by the Potomac Realty Company, in
carrying out their plan of providing high
class of residences.
Homes in Kenilworth.
The activity in building that is one of the
usual signs of spring in Kenilworth is not
lacking this year, and there is quite good
deal now going on and more work in con-
temptation. In addition to the increase in
the number of houses and other facilities
for a growing community some thirty
squares of concrete sidewalk have been re
Gently laid throughout the town.
Mr.. Charles E. Gates expects to finish
and occupy his new house on Olive street
by the LIST of May.
Mr.. r. F. Wright has his new cottage I'M
der roof This is the third house Mr.
Wright has built in this subdivision.
Mr.. J. w. Fultz is building three frame
cottages on street, Kenilworth, for Mr..
Allen W. Mallery.
Plans are being prepared by Mr.. A r.
Lindsay for two houses for Mr.. Z. NJ. Cor
don. to be built on street The same
houses for Mr. J. b. Homes, to be built on
Olive street; for a cottage for Mr.. James
H. Laohnardt, TO be built on Kenilworth
avenue, and one for Mr.. George a. Linge- |
bach. TO cost $l,JO0.
Height of Buildings Question.
II is not likely proceedings will be insti-
tuted on behalf of the Metropolitan Citi-
zens Bank in order to test the legality of
the requirement made by the District Com
bank building which that institution pro-
poses TO build on 18th street between F and
G streets. The action of the District au-
thorities in refusing to approve of the plans
for a structure that would rise 10 the
height of 40 feet based on an act of
Congress which required the Commissioners
to make regulations in regard to the eleva-
ton Of structures that were to be erected on
streets fronting government property.
While on the one hand it is recognized
that the Commissioners are only acting in
accordance with the law, 1t is also held that
the bank officials are acting within the
range OF their legal rights in attempting to
resist restrictions placed upon the use of
their property, which are not based upon
sanitary requirements or are needed for the
safety of life, property or some other good
and valid reason of like character
Rights of Property Owners.
The conclusion in this particular case it
ference of ten feet in the height wanted
and In that allowed is not of sufficient con-
sequence TO warrant the delay and expense
of taking the case into the courts. While
such a conclusion may not be looked upon
deciding anything. yet it is thought that
it Will have an influence in shaping the
regulations which are now being considered
at the District building to govern the
height of buildings throughout the city
generally.
There have been some cases at least in
this District which leads TO the belief that
the rights of the individual to The legitimate
use OF BIS property cannot be taken away
even by an act of Congress- and if the
latter is found to be in conflict with the
former then the courts Will set it aside.
AT the same time 1t is held that the
property owners must make such use of
their property as VIII not interfere with
the health of the community endanger
The property Of others or be public menace
IN any way. Along these lines it is thought
the present law regulating the height of
holdings is drawn which has been enforced
for some time
Rights of Both Parties.
Wha- is being done now as it is under
stood by the committee appointed to revise
the regulations in this respect is to de-
wise, If possible, something that will meet
tie present claim that the general rights
of the citizens are not sufficiently guarded
by the law under which apartment houses
and other large and tall structures are be
ing erected. The attempt is now being
made to try to frame regulations which
will not infringe on the rights of the man
who has property and wishes TO improve
Il, nor upon the interests of those who live
In the vicinity.
As Il step in this direction as it is looked
upon at the District building, all plans for
such structures are now given very careful
scrutiny before a permit is granted in
order to determine if they conform in all
details with existing regulations. Such
permits. in other words. are being issued
now with more care than ever before, and
the requirements are perhaps more exact
ing At any rate. those who have such en-
terprises are apt to feel that there is a
good deal of time taken up with the con-
sideration given to the plans.
What is Hoped For.
There is naturally a good deal of interest
to know just what will be the outcome Of
the thought that is being given to this
matter by District officials and others To
frame a regulation that will stand the test
OF the courts and at the same time satisfy
all who have ideas on the subject OF the