Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-04
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Interesting Feature of Pri-
vate Residence.
ERECTION OF HOUSES
PROVISION TO BE MADE FOR BIG
CONVENTION HALL.
Parking Commission Plan as to the
Use Of the Space South of Penn
sylvania Avenue.


result a room of really noble proportions
has been designed by the architects, Messrs
Hornblower & Marshall. Occupying. as
this residence will, building site that Is
much larger than the average, an appar-
emily lavish amount of space can be given
to one room.
With the eastern portion of the house
devoted to the music room, in the western
section will be found the living rooms Tor
the family with the outlook at the corner
and on 18th street The details OF the
house will be simple in character, and the
walls built of red brick, will rest on a foun-
dation of stone of a harmonizing color.
Why People Come Here.
One of the attractive features of the city
to those who come here for any length or
time is the appearance it has of comfort
and convenience as place of residence.
The arrangement of the streets and the
system of large and small parks, the trees
and the grass plots, and the other details of
municipal housekeeping which distinguish
the nations capital from other cities, not
only in this country but abroad. make APP
peals that are convincing as well as salts
factory. For that reason any occasion that
brings a large number of people here is
productive of lasting results to the benent
of the city.
This process is going on all the time, of
course, to a greater or less extent. There
are few places in the country where the tide
of travel is as great throughout the year
as is the case with this city. Large CEN
tiers, such as New York and Chicago, and
perhaps other cities, may exceed this city
In the statistics of the annual amount or
passenger traffic but excluding the sub
urban contribution to the volume. there Is
no doubt that Washington holds high
rank as center of such travel.
The Demand for Homes.
When 1t is considered that certain pro-
portion of the people who come here for
long or short stay eventually return and
make their homes here, it Is not remarkable,
when this circumstance is taken in connec-
ton with other causes of growth, that the
population Is forging ahead at a rapid rate.
This condition means more houses and
means an improved market for lots and
houses 1t is not surprising that large
apartment houses have increased at a rate
that seems almost marvellous, or that there
is found a sale for the large number of
houses that have gone up during the past
few years.
While naturally much of this growth Is
due to the enlargement OF the business or
the government, which expands with the
expansion of the country, that iS not the
only factor, and 1t is question whether 1t
is the main factor. The habit of looking
upon this city as dependent mainly upon
the government in various ways for its
prosperity Is getting somewhat out of date,
especially if the attractions of Washington
as place of residence are not fully taken
into account.
Of Substantial Character.
It is also mistake to suppose that such
attractions appeal only to the rich and
well-to-do, for such view takes no &C.
count of the large number of persons of
limited means who find 1t to their advan-
tage to remove their homes here. The ex-
cellent schools are, of course, to be con-
sidered among the attractions to this class,
but while the reasons are varied, there Is
no doubt that the additions to the pOpula-
ton from this source are not only constant,
but Of the most substantial character.
The advent of the rich Is apt to be much
talked about, but the coming here of per-
sons who have perhaps only a small In
come is not noticed outside of their imme-
date circle except by the real estate men,
who find among them customers for lots or
houses. Such people constitute valuable
additions to the population of the city, and
the increase of the business and the i'm
proved condition of the real estate market
may be attributed to the influence of this
movement which has been under way for
some time past and is destined to continue.
DR.. Hardin's House.
A beginning has been made in the erection
of house for DR.. B. l.. Hardin, to be
located at 1915 Connecticut avenue. 1t will
be four stories in height. Marble and brick
will be used in the exterior walls, and the
design prepared by the architectS-Wyeth
& Cresson - is colonial. The main en-
trance will be on a level with the street
and the arrangement will be that of an
English basement. The front will be fin
ished with high roof. which will be pierced
with dormer windows.
The same architects have prepared plans
for a house for Mrs Jenness Miller. which is
to be erected on Sheridan circle. The de-
sign will be by French, and the new build
ing will add another to the number of fine
private residences of this type.
In Colonial Style.
The attractions of the colonial homes of
Virginia have still a strong hold on the
mind. as is shown by the influence Of the
architectural forms of that period on pres
ent-day architecture. The old places are
in many instances kept up, and generally
when any OF them come on the market
there are to be found purchasers who want
them for the sake of the old-time atmos-
phere which is about them.
In the case Of Mr.. F. D. Owsley he was
unable to find just what his fancy pictured
In the way of an old Virginia place. and so
he bought land and is having house built
from plans prepared by Messrs. Wyeth &
Cresson. The new place Is at Greenwood,
Va. not far from Charlottesville. and some
idea of the scale on which 1t Is projected
may be gathered from the statement that
the house has a frontage of over one hundred
feet. 1t is to have a garden laid out in the
old style and will have other features Of
country places Of a century or two ago.
Convention Hall Project.
Material used In the government building
at st. Louis, at the request Of Commissioner
West. who is the chairman Of the commit
tee Of citizens appointed to provide for the
erection in this city OF a convention hall.
has been made available by the action Of
Congress for use Of the COMMITTEES II 1t Is
found that the iron can be utilized with
this as a nucleus. there 70 no doubt the eff
forts Of the citizens will be successful, and
that this city will be supplied with q build
ing OF this character. Such structure
has long been needed here, and with faciH-
ties Of that kind there is but little question
that Washington would become more than
at present favorite place for assemblies
Of all kinds.
It is not at all improbabfe the great Do
ntical conventions may be called to be held
here. Certainly the reasons IN favor OF this
city are OF such a character as to appeal