Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-10

is the widest and practically the central
thoroughfare between 9th and 18th streets.
Then, too. 1t Is argued that as 1t Is only
short distance to all the principal street
car lines. the transportation facilities are
exceptionally good.
Among the new and proposed construc-
tons are the Masonic Temple. now assured,
at the triangular point at New York ave-
nue 18th and H streets. and the Chesa-
peake and Potomac Telephone Company
buflding-a handsome structure soon to be
erected on the lot recently purchased by
the company, with frontage or forty-f1ve
feet on 18th street, adjoining the Builders
Exchange building. A number of buildings
on the west side of 18th street between G
and H streets will befemodeled and changed
into business houses.
The Collins-Guerry Company has re-
Gently bought and remodeled the building
at 621 18th street for Office purposes and
the Washington Title Company recently af-
filiated with the District Title Company,
have established their joint offices at 6l0
18th street. A striking Illustration OF the
rapid conversion of this locality into an
active business center Is the fact that every
former residence has already, or will at an
early day, be devoted to business purposes.
Business Prosperity.
Mr.. ]. Louis Willige, president of the VIII
lige. Gibbsg& Daniel corporation said:
I'm discussing F street. it is with some
hesitancy that allude to what may be re-
OF hs&occupancy for some distance west
ward from 7th street northwest. The grad
ual change in the tenancy of business prop
critics as far west as 18th street has tended
to deprive this well-known thoroughfare
the Wall street of Washington of some
of Its substantial business establishments,
though this has not been followed, as one
might suppose, by corresponding depre-
citation in values. For, while prices here
have remained firm during the past decade.
they have not advanced by any means as
rapidly in the eastern portion Of the busf-
ness section Of F street as they have In the
locality extending westward from 18th
street to 18th and f, thence northward
along 14th street to H street and west
wardly along the latter thoroughfare in the
direction of Connecticut avenue.
"A great impetus given to both sides
Of F street, extending for several blocks
east from the Treasury. by the location here
of the American National Bank, the erec-
ton of the New Willard Hotel and the pres
ent Union Trust Company building. and lat
teriy by the erection OF a most modern. up
date florists establishment by GUIDE &
Brother the advent of the adnnfra BILE flower
store OF J. Louis Loose and of the Knabe
Plano warehouse, Franklin & Co. optical
establishment the Brentano book concern
and other recent accessions to F street.
Trend of Values.
"a fair indication of the trend OF sound
business values IN this direction may be
had from the sale within the past few days
of the Stone property at the northeast cor
ner of 18th and F streets for $19O,00o being
approximately $40 per square foot. An
other property in the same block which we
were commissioned less than a year ago
to sell for $4,000. is now held at SlOo.0O0
and 1t Is not at all certain that the owner
could be induced to part with 1t at TINS
figure.
THE prices all along street. within
radius of two blocks from 18th street. have
kept pace with the rapidity OF Development
and increased demand for business hold-
lngs, that II has, IN individual instances,
been difficult to secure offers in time Tor
acceptance before an added increase OF price
has been demanded by the owner. And this
condition of things has extended also 70 the
streets which may be designated as reed
ers'' of F street. the most conspicuous OF
which are I4th and 18th streets.
These two important thoroughfares are
OF equal width from building line TO puiid-
Ing line and though 18th street mas the
more materially advanced by the erection
OF the splendid Colorado, Bond and COM
mercial Bank buildings, the first of which
replaced church structure which had oc-
cupied its site since 1914. 18th street has
also shown rapid progress and has added
to the pioneer establishment Of the District
Title Company a number Of other prom
inent business houses, such as our own
company the wfi1ige, Gibbs & Daniel cor
poretion, with its fifty feet o. frontage; the
Chapman az Co bank the Saks Fur con-
pany the Miller Coal Company's head
quarters the Lamb & Tflden Rubber Stamp
and Metal Sign factory, the Builders XIX
change building and many minor concerns
ION account OF this rapid commentaries
ton of 18th street, values have appreciated
In a most striking manner and houses
which, for residence purposes. could have
been purchased five years ago for ". 600 To
$40 600 are now selling In quick SUCCESSION
for from rs. 600 to $4,000. seven such sales
having been recorded during the past half
year.
Left Pennsylvania Avenue.
Mr. Lothrop of Woodward q Lothrop
says that early In their business expert
enca in Washington they found It imprac-
ticabie to secure the needed aceommoda-
lions on Pennsylvania avenue for their rap
idly increasing business. and being satisfied
that street between the patent Office and
Treasury Department must at no distant
day become desirable business street, they
determined upon leaving the avenue. and
with that In mind bought tho property
northeast corner 18th and streets with
a view to building there, but because OF
not being able TO sc. the Therne prop
erty adjoining, some delay occifrted. when
the late Calderon Carlisle proposed to build
for them on the northeast corner OF 18th
and F, which proposition was accepted.
Notwithstanding the many prophecies of
dire results in thus leaving the old con-
hnsk of the retail trade, the removal proved
to be O. wise one, and the business pros
pered more largely than in the past. Other
merchants followed from time to time, and
f street assumed the position as the retail
certer
From time to time Messrs Woodward q
Lothrop have added to their selling space
until today they occupy the entire block